3 minute read

Heading into Magic Millions, we talk to some of the agents attending this year’s sale.

With most international buyers unable to attend the 2021 sale, do you think this will present additional opportunities for domestic buyers?
Whenever you take buyers out of any sale, I think you open opportunities for everyone else, but from what I can tell so far there seems to be strong interest across the board so I still think the competition will be strong for the nice horses. I am sure there will be really good buying for those that have done their homework though and inspected a lot of horses. 
 

Have you had more enquiries this year with overseas agents / buyers, or equally domestic buyers, unable to travel to Queensland for the sale?
The level of interest in the sale has certainly increased from previous years but to be honest it has come from existing clients mainly rather than any new connections. I find a lot of interest grows as the sale gets under way though so that may change. 
 

Australia has led the way with increased information and transparency around bloodstock sales. Do you think there will be any other positives come out of the global Covid pandemic and how do you feel this will change the industry over the coming years?
I am a big believer that the strength of sales is pretty closely tied to how many people you can attract to the complex and nowhere is that more evident than the Magic Millions sale. The increased information available online is great, but in my opinion will always play second fiddle to sales attendance. No doubt though that the online presence has been a major positive of the Covid environment. 
 

Vendors have been reporting high numbers of on farm inspections this year. Do you think these are becoming an increasingly important part of the inspection process and how do they help you?
I'm not huge on the pre-sale inspection circuit. It's very much an individual thing, but personally I don't think you compare apples to apples. Some farms prep their yearlings to be ready three or four weeks out from the sale and then just hold them at that level, whereas other farms don't seem to have their horses ready until a day or two before they arrive. 

I prefer to compare the finished product and I can get through the horses much quicker on the complex. I do think the pre-sale inspections will play a big part of the results for this sale though with so many of the Sydney buyers locked out. 
 

Which of the first season sires have caught your eye so far?
I haven't seen a lot of the yearlings as yet so I would largely be going on my thoughts as weanlings. Hellbent would be up there and Pariah also, but have seen a couple I like by Russian Revolution and Merchant Navy so look forward to seeing a lot more this week. 
 

Which horse is your favourite Magic Millions yearling purchase and why?
Would have to go with Odeum. She was purchased for great clients and really provided a highlight for us winning the Thousand Guineas during the extended lockdown in Melbourne. 
 

What is your favourite Magic Millions moment?
Although we got beaten into second, I got a big buzz out of Dubious running second in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. I bought his dam from Arqana and imported her here, did the mating and loved the horse as a type from day one. Once again, some great clients were involved and we had a really good day out at the races and then went over to the sales and bought Odeum that night.