Record-breaking Gold Coast Yearling Sale comes to a close

By Magic Millions Media

Strong selling on the final of seven action-packed days has seen records tumble at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

When the final lot was sold late yesterday afternoon, the sale gross has soared to a new Southern Hemisphere yearling sale record of over $243 million.

Today's final day of the sale helped push the Book Two gross to almost $13.7 million with an increased average price of $62,553.

The top price today was $225,000 for the Spirit of Boom colt from Giroux (Lot 1107) offered by Newhaven Park and purchased by Munce Racing in conjunction with international Bloodstock Agent Arthur Hoyeau.

The colt is the third foal of the two-year-old winning and city-performed Sepoy mare Giroux - a half sister to multiple Sydney winner and stakes performer Canadian Spice. 

Giroux's dam Paprika won a CE McDougall Stakes and Tommy Smith Slipper as a juvenile and was second to subsequent Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready in a Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Two other yearlings sold for $220,000 - Coolmore Stud's Too Darn Hot-Maraam filly to McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency and Yulong's Alabama Missile-Prontezza filly to Lucky Clover Thoroughbreds.

The Book One component of the Gold Coast Yearling Sale has a gross approaching $230 million and a clearance rate of 90 per cent - an incredible figure with a catalogue of almost 1000 lots.

"It's been an outstanding week," Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said.

"We are thrilled with the results here from the last seven days.

"It was pleasing to have the highest number of million dollar lots sold (20) and on top of that to push through the $2 million barrier four times including a new record of $2.7 million and a record priced filly for the yearling sale market of $2.6 million.

"It's brilliant to be able to push the ceiling further than Magic Millions has pushed it before.

"Book One is clearing a remarkable 90 per cent and Book Two is over 83 per cent.

"The team were out on the road, pushing hard to get the best yearlings we possibly could and I am glad all their efforts came to an outstanding fruition.

"We can't thank out vendors enough for their support.

"On the back of the past two days with Book Two, we're looking forward to what the markets present at all those sales: Tasmania first, Perth, then Adelaide and back here for the March Yearling Sale."

Bowditch said it was great to have international clients back on the Gold Coast participating in one of the world's great thoroughbred auctions - at a time when a huge boost was announced for the next couple of years which will result in $20 million worth of races to be run at the Gold Coast in 24 hours from 2025.

"Having everyone back here - having a fun time was a highlight," he added.

"The (Magic Millions) team working as well as they possibly could under huge pressure - it's been outstanding - it's been fantastic to have it go off as well as it has under the circumstances."

Click here to view the results of the sale so far or to make an offer on a passed in lot.

All attention now switches to Aquis Park at the Gold Coast for Thursday's rescheduled The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday featuring eight million dollar races.

The first race will jump at 1.20pm (Qld time). The two big races will be shown live and free on the 7 Network across Australia (check local guides). 

BOOK TWO SALE STATISTICS (2022 in brackets)

• Lots Catalogued: 294 (297)
• Lots Sold: 219 (219)
• Lots Passed In: 44 (38)
• Lots Withdrawn: 31 (40)
• Sale Gross: $13,699,000 ($12,631,000)
• Top Price: $250,000 ($270,000)
• Average Price: $62,553 ($57,676)
• Median Price: $50,000 ($50,000)
• Sold %: 83.3 (85)

DAY SEVEN TOP SELLERS

• $225,000 - Spirit of Boom-Giroux colt (Lot 1107) Vendor: Newhaven Park (as agent) / Buyer: Munce Racing/Arthur Hoyeau (Qld)
• $220,000 - Too Darn Hot-Maraam filly (Lot 1167) Coolmore Stud (as agent) / McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont B'stock Agency (Vic)
• $220,000 - Alabama Express-Prontezza filly (Lot 1215) Yulong / Lucky Clover Thoroughbreds (Qld)
• $190,000 - So You Think-Dreamarcher colt (Lot 1080) Yarramalong Park / Archer Park Racing Pty Ltd (Qld)
• $180,000 - The Autumn Sun-Fast Dance colt (Lot 1094) Lucas Bloodstock (as agent) / Jacaranda Park T'bred Estate (Qld)
• $180,000 - Dubious-Licorice Stick colt (Lot 1153) Kenmore Lodge (as agent) / Lee Freedman (Qld)

BOOK TWO LEADING BUYERS (ranked by total spend)

• $350,000 - Archer Park Racing Pty Ltd - two lots
• $330,000 - Desleigh Forster - four lots
• $320,000 - Todd Howlett/Sean Dyson - two lots
• $260,000 - Kurrinda Bloodstock - two lots
• $235,000 - Darby Racing/Deburgh Equine - two lots