Magic Millions to conduct virtual sale on eve of breeding season
Magic Millions will conduct a virtual sale on the eve of the breeding season and the boutique auction has already secured a drawcard mare in foal to champion international stallion Frankel (Galileo) to launch the August offering.
Yarraman Park will offer Prix de Cabourg (Gr 3, 1200m) winner Have A Good Day (Adaay) carrying a pregnancy to Juddmonte’s Frankel at the virtual sale having withdrawn her from Magic Millions’ National Broodmare Sale last month due to a minor setback.
The virtual sale, with Clint Donovan as auctioneer and phone and online bidding taking place, will be held at the Gold Coast on Tuesday, August 27.
Magic Millions sold Sheeza Belter (Gold Standard) and Seradess (Astern) for $1.35 million and $700,000 respectively via virtual auctions last year, a concept that was first forced upon the company when its online sale technology failed during the bidding for Kiku (Zoustar) who made $1.46 million after bidding restarted with David Chester auctioneering.
As news filtered through that Magic Millions had confirmed a late August virtual sale – on the Tuesday following the Hunter Valley stallion parade weekend – studmasters reached out to the auction house’s managing director Barry Bowditch pledging their support for the concept.
“We’re experts at the live auction and the theatre of it all and engaging buyers that way and it’s a logical step for us,” Bowditch told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“Last year, we dipped our toe in the water selling Kiku, Seradess and Sheeza Belter that way and it worked very, very well. It’s a nice time of year to try something a little bit different.
“We’re gearing it towards breeding stock and race fillies that are coming to the end of it [on the racetrack] but if anyone has the right product, we’re willing to offer them at that sale given the fact it’s just after the big stallion parades.”
While the sale is aimed at breeding stock and race fillies, owners and trainers wishing to offer quality colts and geldings to the market are also encouraged to enter the sale.
Bowditch said: “We look forward to building upon Have A Good Day and I’ve had a few text messages already this afternoon from people asking a few questions, so I think it’s going to be well received and the timing’s logical.
“Whether it’s one or 50 lots, it doesn’t matter. Clint and, if we need another auctioneer, James Hetherington, will offer them on August 27.”
All lots will have videos and photographs and appropriate breeding and veterinary certificates available.
A catalogue for the virtual sale will be released in early August.