The 2023 sales season gets underway at the Gold Coast on Tuesday, with 1273 lots catalogued for the Magic Millions over an energy-sapping seven days.
First-season sires always create interest, and this is a particularly strong year for the imports.
Darley has one of its strongest rosters in memory, and Blue Point (IRE) (21 catalogued) and Too Darn Hot (GB) (21) have enjoyed great support from breeders, as has the local hope, Exceed and Excel’s slick son Microphone (20).
Other highly credentialled imports with their first yearling on offer include Calyx (GB) (7), Magna Grecia (IRE) (12), Omaha Beach (USA) (4), Royal Meeting (IRE) (6), and Vino Rosso (USA) (2).
Besides Microphone, the local luminaries include Alabama Express (17), Brutal (NZ) (26), Castelvecchio (19), Cliffs Edge (3), Cosmic Force (18), D’Argento (18), Dubious (17), Exceedance (20), I Am Immortal (3), Pierata (32), Strasbourg (1), Super Seth (7), Tassort (8), Unite And Conquer (7), Yes Yes Yes (29), and Zousain (36).
At this sale last year, eight stallions had one or more $1million lots and only Not A Single Doubt is missing in 2023.
I Am Invincible, and Snitzel led the way with five million dollar plus lots, and I Am Invincible took top honours with the $1.9 million sale-topper.
Zoustar and Pierro had two $1million sellers, while Exceed And Excel, Lonhro and Deep Field had one apiece.
Buyers will be encouraged by the announcement of the huge increase in prizemoney for the Magic Millions Day in 2024, with the 2yo Classic and 3yo Guineas both worth $3million.
The following are some of the lots to catch the eye of buyers (and some personal favourites) on Day One.
Lot No: 8 B F Snitzel x Jellicles by Tale Of The Cat Consignor: Baramul Stud.
Sister to stakes-placed Snitcat, who was third in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic won by Coolangatta, and a half-sister to Group III winner Felines (Conatus) and stakes-placed Domesticated (Encosta De Lago.
Dam is a half-sister to the Champion 2YO, 3YO & 4YO in Singapore, Better Than Ever (French Deputy).
Lot No: 19 B C Blue Point (IRE) x Just Discreet by Exceed and Excel Consignor: Mill Park Stud
Half-brother to four winners, including the record-priced ($1,150,000) Brazen Beau colt Border Patrol.
Dam a Group III winning half-sister to Group 1 SAJC Schweppes Oaks heroine Maybe Discreet (Shamardal).
From the first crop of Champion Sprinter.
Lot No: 76 B F Pierata x Loving Gaby by I Am Invincible Consignor: Segenhoe Stud.
First foal of the Champion 3YO Filly in Australia in 2019-20. A $500,000 yearling Loving Gaby banked over $2.2million with wins in the Group 1 VRC Manikato Stakes and Group 1 William Reid Stakes. She did wonders for her dam Maastricht who sold for $2,250,000 and for her siblings which have sold for $1.2million and $1million.
Lot No: 86 B F Spirit Of Boom x Madame Fly by Excites Consignor: Eureka Stud
Sister to Listed winner Madame Fleiss and stakes-placed Cochrane out of a half-sister to Group III winner Chapter And Verse from the family of Spirit Of Boom’s $1.7 million earner Boomsara.
Lot No: 108 B F Zoustar x Members Joy by Hussonet Consignor: Newhaven Park
This filly topped the National Weanling Sale when knocked down to Cloverfield Bloodstock for $750,000. She is a half-sister to Group II ATC Percy Sykes Stakes and Group II Furious Stakes winner Pure Elation (I Am Invincible).
A brother to this filly was a $550,000 purchase at Easter last year.
Dam is a stakes-winning daughter of Group III QTC Dane Ripper Plate winner Rosa’s Spur (Flying Spur).
Lot No: 129 B F Too Darn Hot (GB) x Miss Foxwood by Fastnet Rock Consignor: Segenhoe Stud.
Half-sister to two winners out of multiple stakes-placed half-sister to Group III AJC Frank Packer Plate winner and Group 1 MRC Toorak Hcp runner-up (Rockwood).
Dam is a daughter of the Group 1 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas and WRC Captain Cook Stakes winner Foxwood (Centaine).
Lot No: 134 B C Pierro x Miss Que by Fastnet Rock Consignor: Coolmore Stud.
First foal of mare who was narrowly beaten in the Group III ATC Wenona Girl Hcp and is a sister to Group II ATC Theo Marks Stakes winner Cluster out of the stakes-winner Tarcoola Diamond (Last Tycoon).
Lot No: 156 Ch C Deep Field x Mrs Boxall by Fastnet Rock Consignor: Torryburn Stud
Brother to Group III-placed Divine Regulus out of a half-sister to stakes-winner Miss Gai Flyer (Flying Spur) from the family of Golden Slipper winners Ha Ha and Rory’s Jester.
Lot No: 144 Br C I Am Invincible x Modern Wonder by Snitzel Consignor: Kia Ora Stud
Third foal of a stakes-winning sister to multiple Group winner and $3,750,225 earner Away Game, which made a sale-topping $4 million at the 2022 National Broodmare Sale.
Modern Wonder’s Zoustar filly named Khaznah sold for $360,000 here last year and is in training with Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.
Lot No: 153 B C I Am Invincible x Mossfun by Mossman Consignor: Emirates Park
Half-brother to Group III ATC Festival Stakes winner Dajraan (Frankel).
Dam a Golden Slipper winning half-sister to Champion Singapore Sprinter Aramco (Magic Albert).
Lot No: 163 B C Snitzel x Muzyka by Danehill Dancer Consignor: Coolmore Stud
Dam ran third in the Group II VRC Wakeful Stake and is out of a Galileo half-sister to Group III Royal Ascot Queen's Vase winner Mahler, which placed in a Melbourne Cup and English St Leger.
Lot No: 164 B or Br F Snitzel x My Conquestadory (USA) by Artie Schiller Consignor: Newgate Farm
Half-sister to stakes-placed Russian Conquest (Russian Revolution) and Bourbon War (Tapit).
Dam won the Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes and is a half-sister to the recent Grade III winner Runninsonofagun (Gun Runner) who placed in the Grade 1 H Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes at Saratoga in August.
Lot No:166 B C Pierro x My Sanctuary (GB) by Oasis Dream Consignor: Coolmore Stud.
Fourth foal of Sandown winner My Sanctuary (GB), a $600,000 purchase at the 2018 Inglis Chairmans Sale. She is a daughter of Kirsten Rausing’s multiple Group 1 winner Albanova whose family continues to flourish through the likes of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Alpinista (Frankel) and The St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov (Dubawi).
Lot No: 170 B C I Am Invincible x Mysterious Light by Fantastic Light Consignor: Evergreen Farm
Half-brother to five winners including the Singapore Derby winner Han Xin.
Dam is a winning half-sister to stakes-placegetters Emotional Circus and Twirl out of a stakes-placed sister to Fastnet Rock.
