By John Holloway
World racing in 2022 achieved amazing results on and off the tracks, and Australian results confirm that the breeding statistics Down Under have become the envy of the industry.
Don’t think for a second Australian breeders will be resting on their laurels. The Gold Coast Magic Millions in four days time has an excellent list of thoroughbreds going under the hammer.
The first crop of foals from Everest winner Yes Yes Yes go unfer the hammer this season.Credit:Getty Images
The Gold Coast sales run from January 10-16 before heading to Karaka from January 29 to February 3, before the powerhouse William Inglis group produce their three major sales comprising the Classic at Riverside in Sydney from February 12-14; the Premier at Oaklands in Melbourne from March 5-7; and then the jewel in the Inglis sales crown, the Easter extravaganza at Riverside on April 3-4.
The Magic Millions January sale has always proven to be a great barometer and this catalogue is regarded as their finest. A total of 1235 lots were in the 2022 catalogue, which grossed $241,935,000. A total of 1013 yearlings changed hands at an average of $240,253.
There were 136 withdrawals and 86 pass-ins. The top seller was $1.9million for a I Am Invincible colt from Suspicieuse bought by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier.
This year’s catalogue features yearlings by 108 stallions including 24 first-season sires – local and others that have shuttled mainly from Europe and arriving down under with magnificent pedigrees and race performances.
First season sires with big numbers are Pierata (77), Yes Yes Yes (55), Blue Point (53), Excellence (51), Castelvecchio (44) and Too Darn Hot (40). It is quite apparent that budding purchasers of a yearling in 2023 will have plenty to choose from, but be warned because the northern hemisphere stallions yearlings that sold in 2022 fetched enormous prices.
Capitalist’s numbers will be sought after by Asian buyers after he provided his fourth individual winner from as many starters there at the weekend. Ricky Yiu, a regular traveller to Australasian sales, prepared Chilli Barba for his first Hong Kong success.
