Western Australian breeders have purchased 28 broodmares for turnover of $2 million at the Magic Millions National Sale on the Gold Coast.
It’s a significant upgrade for the State’s bloodstock ranks at time when the Australian thoroughbred industry is experiencing the most buoyant period on record.
The Broodmare Sale closed on Thursday after three sessions of unprecedent trade at all levels. “It’s one of the greatest breeding stock sales we’ve ever held,” Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch declared. “Last year was incredible with the Shadwell dispersal but to sell 18 million-dollar horses in the past three days is an extraordinary effort.”
Darling View Thoroughbreds led the WA spend with five mares destined for an appointment with the Mundijong nursery’s new sire Splintex. Forest View’s Ben Duncan was also active as a shareholder in Splintex.
Splintex (Snitzel) was a 2yo winner at Randwick and Rosehill before training on as a 3yo to land the coveted G2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) at Randwick during the 2020 Championships.
Other WA-based stakeholders on the Magic Millions sales-sheet included agents John Chalmers and Noel Carter, Ruby Racing & Breeding, Mungrup Pastoral, Misty Valley Thoroughbreds, Ridgeport Holdings and Woodbridge Thoroughbreds.
Photo: Little Bit Ditsy (Bel Esprit): Darling View purchased the Brisbane 2YO Stakes performer, with a PPT to Bivouac, for $160,000
“The competition was extremely strong and it was difficult to make a winning bid,” Darling View’s Brent Atwell reported from the Gold Coast on Friday morning. “The market has exploded across all parameters so we’re excited to come home with five mares.
“They all have black-type pedigrees and they’re all carrying positive tests to a proven sire like Dundeel (NZ) and young stallions such as Microphone, Bivouac and Omaha Beach.”
A full run-down of the Magic Millions mares heading west from the Gold Coast will appear in Westspeed Stallions Magazine. The digital edition will be live on www.tbwa.net.au the week ending Friday, June 10 and hard copies will be mailed on Friday, June 17.
