Five yearlings sold for $1 million or more, and they were all sired by Hunter Valley stallions.

Topping the list were colts by Vinery’s stallion More Than Ready ($1.3 million), and Arrowfield’s Redoute’s Choice ($1.3 million); a filly by Coolmore’s Fastnet Rock ($1.2 million) and colt by Snitzel ($1.1 million, standing at Arrowfield) and Medaglia d’Oro ($1.1 million, standing at Darley Kelvinside).

Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association (HTBA) treasurer, Paddy Power said Hunter bred progeny were the star attraction at the magic millions yearling sales, representing 94% of the top 100 lots sold in the first 3 days.

“This sale highlights how important the Hunter Valley industry is nationally, and the role it plays in attracting domestic and international investors and tourism to the Gold Coast during this premier yearling sale,” he said.

Hunter bred yearlings by champion sires Sebring and Zoustar (standing at Widden Stud) I Am Invincible (standing at Yarrrman Park), All Too Hard (standing at Vinery), Exceed and Excel (standing at Darley Kelvinside), Fastnet Rock (standing at Coolmore) and Redoute’s Choice (standing at Arrowfield) all sold for over $500,000. 

The top 100 yearlings were sold for over $300,000 – compared to the average price of $208,000 for 574 lots traded by day 3 for almost $120 million and a clearance rate of 87 per cent.

International and domestic investors vied for the best yearlings, including Gai Waterhouse, James Harron Bloodstock, John Warren (HM The Queen’s Bloodstock Manager), David Redvers (Bloodstock and Racing Manager for HH Sheik Fahad Al Thani), Aquis and buyers from China, Hong Kong, USA, the UAE, New Zealand, the UK, and Japan.