‘Greater access to all markets’ – Magic Millions to hold two-year-old sale in same week as Inglis

Magic Millions has scheduled its Horses in Training Sale in the same week as arch-rival Inglis’s two-year-old auction as the company aims to attract more international buyers to the Gold Coast and regain market share.

The Barry Bowditch-helmed Magic Millions will hold its two and three-year-old sale on Monday, October 12, three days prior to the Inglis Ready to Race Sale, slated for Thursday, October 15, in Sydney.

The two breeze-up sales will coincide with the build-up to The Everest race meeting at Randwick and the Caulfield Cup card in Melbourne.

In recent years, the two sales have been held a week apart, but international buyers, particularly from Hong Kong and Malaysia, have found it increasingly difficult to manage two trips to Australia either side of weekend racing to attend both sales.

The date change by Magic Millions was confirmed on Thursday as it officially launched its call for entries for the Horses in Training Sale.

“We are looking forward to presenting a high quality of youngsters who are being prepared by many of the region’s leading horsemen and women,” said Bowditch, the Magic Millions managing director.

“This is a sale where a vendor can bring a quality galloper at any level of the market and find good competition.” 

The three two-year-old sales conducted in Australia and New Zealand last year generated almost $70 million in turnover, with Hong Kong buyers accounting for almost 40 per cent of the total.

Across the three sales, Magic Millions, Inglis and November’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, Hong Kong buyers picked up five additional horses, with the average price paid jumping from $211,382 to $214,785.

Bowditch said Magic Millions had already been canvassing overseas markets to drum up support for the two- and three-year-old sale.

“There’s already great interest from prospective overseas buyers. Our international representatives have signalled strong feedback – from past buyers who have experienced great success – as well as new clients,” he said. 

“Our team has been traversing the Asian continent in recent weeks and will be through to the sale, to bring the best possible buying bench to the Gold Coast in October. 

“The interest has been strong from our buyers in supporting the most genuine trade of horses in training in this part of the world.”

In further changes to the format, a racehorses session will also be compiled while Magic Millions is opening up its lucrative $20 million-plus race series to eligible graduates.

Those horses can be paid up for the bonus races, which include the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas, with the incentive targeted towards local owners and trainers.

“The new incentive to allow eligible graduates of the sale to be paid up for the Magic Millions Race Series is sure to drive increasing domestic demand,” Bowditch said.

“We have had great feedback from buyers with the October 12 date – it’s been very well received and will allow greater access to all markets.” 

The two-day New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale at Karaka is set for November 18 and 19.

Nominations for the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale will close on Monday, August 3.