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Barry Bowditch is predicting a big finish to the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale after a relative calm came over the Gold Coast auction ring yesterday in a strong but steady session in which one mare hit seven figures, the 19th of the sale.
The race fillies and mares session on Tuesday, bolstered by the unreserved dispersal of the Shadwell Stud Australia draft, helped create an unprecedented day of trade but there was more even competition between buyer and vendor on day two.
After 18 million-dollar lots on day one, Quilista (Scandal Keeper) was the sole mare to hit the mark yesterday and there promises to be more with the likes of Gr.1 winner Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge), who is in foal to I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), Tsaritsa (Dane Shadow), Hell Or Highwater (Not A Single Doubt), Serenade (Star Witness), Taste Of Heaven (Encosta De Lago) and Oregon’s Day (Domesday) also set to be sold today.
As expected, the average dropped from a record of $328,038 to $250,190, which is still up 78 per cent on last year, after the second day, while the $100 million barrier will be broken early today after 394 mares have so far changed hands for $98.575 million. The median of $120,000 was almost double last year’s figure of $65,000, a massive rise even accounting for the impact of Covid-19.
After day two of the 2019 sale the average was $158,646 and the median was $70,000.
The spread of buyers, in numbers and locations, has been a key feature of this year’s breeding stock market with most participants reinvesting their profits from the 2021 yearling sales or other players stepping up their involvement.