Proven and rising sires to power 40th Magic Millions market on the Gold Coast

Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch believes the depth of the 2026 Gold Coast Yearling Sale catalogue and a broad, confident buying bench will be key as the auction house looks to at least match last year’s results.

Speaking to the Straight Talk podcast on the eve of the first day of trade at the Magic Millions, Bowditch said the atmosphere on the grounds had been encouraging following a long inspection period and strong early engagement from buyers.

“It’s been a massive build-up. Since the horses arrived and inspections got under way, it’s been quite busy,” Bowditch said. 

“The number of inspections has been positive; in line, if not better than last year at this point in time.”

Last year’s Book 1 sale turned over more than $205 million at an average of $272,507, but with 40 fewer horses catalogued, maintaining that aggregate will come down to Magic Millions boosting its clearance rate, which hit 80 per cent by sale’s end in 2025.

“With a few less horses and a few withdrawals, you’ve got to make up somewhere,” he said.

“The clearance rate is probably the most logical place to ensure we get close to last year’s turnover. Fundamentally, the market will set itself and work out what these horses are worth.”

Magic Millions has slightly reduced the size of Book 1 and significantly trimmed Book 2, a move Bowditch said reflected a smarter, more selective market.

“The market’s got an eye for quality and you want to ensure you’ve got quality on the grounds,” he said. 

“That should facilitate a higher clearance rate and give us the best opportunity to sell as many horses as we possibly can for our vendors.”

Bowditch said the catalogue was deliberately constructed to cater for buyers at all levels.

“When we selected this catalogue, we went to market knowing we needed the right horses at all levels,” he said. 

“Whatever budget you turn up here with, you’ve got the best opportunity to buy the horses you want. I believe this catalogue probably provides that better than any other we’ve put together.”

International participation is expected to be strong again after last year’s $3.2 million top lot was knocked down to Japanese interests, with Bowditch predicting that there could be some new names on the buyers’ sheet by the end of the sale. 

He said buyers from Japan, Hong Kong, China, Europe, America and New Zealand were all represented.

“Each and every year, this is a sale that delivers the best results on the racetrack,” he said.

“Whether you’re a local syndicator, trainer or trader, you’ve got confidence to come here, and the race series off the back of it gives people confidence to bid one more time or buy one more horse.”

Bowditch said bookings, accommodation demand and credit applications all pointed to solid participation, and he was hopeful that would help drive the middle to lower end of the market, the segment which has felt the squeeze of buyers since the pandemic-inspired bloodstock boom.

“We’re mindful you’ve got to have people at all ends of the market,” he said. 

“We’ve marketed heavily to ensure that could happen and we feel like we’ve got good pillars at the lower end.”

The colts market, traditionally a major driver of the sale, is also expected to be strong, underpinned by the emergence of young sires such as Home Affairs and Stay Inside and the proven sires such as Zoustar, Snitzel and I Am Invincible, among others.

“The writing’s on the wall with those horses,” Bowditch said of the young stallions. 

“They’re doing a very good job on the racetrack and ticking the boxes. There’s a great cross-section of quality colts that will give the colt funds a big number of horses to participate on.”

Bowditch singled out several potential standouts, including a Snitzel brother to the Peter Snowden-trained three-year-old colt Beadman (Lot 372) and a trio of well-related fillies by I Am Invincible and Snitzel who could feature at the top-end of the market.

The Magic Millions managing director was referencing the Coolmore Stud-offered I Am Invincible daughter of Group 1 winner Qafila (Lot 708) and a filly by the same sire out of Mumbai Rock (Lot 593) who is also in the Coolmore draft.

The Snitzel filly at Arrowfield Stud out of Madame Andree (Lot 504), a three-quarter sister to stakes winners Anders and Ostraka. She is also from the family of Written Tycoon’s Group 3-winning two-year-old of last season, Skyhook.

Now marking 40 years since the first Magic Millions sale was held at Bundall, Bowditch said the week remained a cornerstone of the Australian bloodstock calendar.

“It’s an important week each and every year,” he said. 

“To be 40 years in is exciting, and we’re looking forward to putting on a great show.”

Tuesday’s first of four Book 1 selling sessions starts on the Gold Coast at 11am (AEST).