Magic Millions heeds feedback and delays start of National Weanling Sale
Magic Millions has pushed back the start of its 2024 National Sale, condensing the up to three-week selling extravaganza on the Gold Coast in May and June into a fortnight.
The auction house on Wednesday announced that its two-day National Weanling Sale would be held on Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27, with the three-day Broodmare Sale to remain unchanged with the opening race fillies session to be held on Tuesday, May 28.
The first running of the $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000m) will be staged under lights at the Gold Coast racecourse on May 24 as planned.
The weanling sale was originally scheduled for that Thursday and Friday and capped by the rich night race meeting.
Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said the company had reviewed logistics of its National Sale and resolved to delay the start of the weanling sale by three days.
He says the move, which has “not been taken lightly”, has been welcomed by vendors and he expects the majority of buyers to feel the same way.
“A lot of vendors have said they’d prefer it this way and, from our perspective, we always thought when the time was right and we could manage it logistically from a horse welfare perspective as well as facilitate all our needs that it would create a good environment at the complex,” Bowditch told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“It should ensure that it’s busy at all times, having weanling buyers, broodmare buyers and hopefully a good cross-section of buyers on the grounds who are doing both.”
With the National Yearling Sale also unchanged on June 4 and 5, the shorter time period between sales will also allow buyers to participate in more segments of the market if they choose to, according to Bowditch.
“A buyer may well be very interested in weanlings and somewhat interested in mares can now do both and vice versa,” he said.
“It makes it easier for them to make the trip from wherever they are and be here for the whole sale instead of part of the sale.
“From that perspective, it is a real win and it should get more eyes onto more horses, not less.”
2024 Magic Millions National Sale
Wednesday, May 22 Inspections – National Weanling Sale From 8am
Thursday, May 23 Inspections – National Weanling Sale From 8am
Friday, May 24 Inspections – Weanling & Broodmare Sale From 8am
Saturday, May 25 Inspections – Weanling & Broodmare Sale From 8am
Sunday, May 26 National Weanling Sale (day 1) From 10am Monday, May 27 National Weanling Sale (day 2) From 10am
Tuesday, May 28 Broodmare Sale (day 1, race fillies) From 11am
Wednesday, May 29 Broodmare Sale (day 2, broodmares) From 10am
Thursday, May 30 Broodmare Sale (day 3, broodmares) From 10am
Friday, May 31 Arrival of yearlings
Saturday, June 1 Inspections – National Yearling Sale From 8am
Sunday, June 2 Inspections – National Yearling Sale From 8am
Monday, June 3 Inspections – National Yearling Sale From 8am
Tuesday, June 4 National Yearling Sale (day 1) From 10am
Wednesday, June 5 National Yearling Sale (day 2) From 10am