Group I winning I Am Invincible mare Marabi was the obvious star attraction in the Magic Millions Virtual August Sale and sold accordingly with Arrowfield Stud placing the winning bid of $2.4million.
Consigned by Vinery Stud on behalf of her owner breeder Greg Perry, Marabi is in foal in her first season at stud to Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar, who stands this season at a fee of $275,000.
Arrowfield Stud have been underbidders on several occasions this year beaten out by the might of Yulong, but will be adding a premium mare to their star studded band as she is a half-sister to Group I VRC Oaks winner Aristia.
Already at stud, Aristia produced a colt by Zoustar as her first foal that sold at Inglis Easter this year for $725,000 to Equine Investments / Bevan Smith Bloodstock and has a filly to follow by Maurice (Jpn), but no foal this year after missing to I Am Invincible in 2023.
Victoria Oaks placegetter Queen Air was another lot to attract good interest with the daughter of Toronado selling for $350,000.
A Moonee Valley winner and earner of over $276,000, Queen Air was offered by Swettenham Stud and was snapped up by Queensland's leading trainer Tony Gollan.
During the afternoon some $4.677 million was traded on 27 lots sold at an average price of $173,222. More sales are close to being finalised and the clearance rate will rise overnight.
"As a concept we thought the engagement for the sale was very strong," Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. "However, the proof is in the pudding and we had hoped participation across the board would be stronger."
"It is something we will tinker with going forward and continue to work on - getting the best out of the virtual sale concept," Bowditch added.
The Magic Millions attention now switches to the Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale to be held on October 22. The catalogue will be online in the coming days.
