Racing
Late millionaire lifts Snitzel to the top
A wrap of the results from this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
A colt by Snitzel put an exclamation mark on this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale – leading the Arrowfield stallion to the leading sire title in the process – when knocked down for $1.5 million late on Friday's final day.
The colt out of the Group 2-winning Vancouver mare Vangelic became the week's 15th millionaire when sold to Guy Mulcaster and Chris Waller.
Mulcaster, who bought 14 yearlings across the week in partnership with Waller for a total of $8,685,000, said the colt had the hallmarks of a horse who would get to the track early.
"He looked really sharp and he did really well through the prep," Mulcaster said.
"He looks an early runner and he moves beautifully.
"I think what we paid for him is pretty well on the mark. It is a hell of a lot of money, but that's what they seem to cost and when you get good colts that will turn to stud, they look cheap."
The Vangelic colt carried Snitzel back to the head of the leading sires by gross table, one of 29 yearlings sold for a total of $19,980,000, which was a tick under $1m more than I Am Invincible, who had 32 lots sold.
Snitzel had five other seven-figure yearlings and averaged $688,966, which had him second only to Extreme Choice, who had eight sell for $822,500 apiece.
Extreme Choice had one of the $2m joint-sale-toppers, the colt out of Hazlebrook who sold on Day 2.
He shared top honours with the colt by Frankel out of Antibes, who went through on Day 1.
Anamoe's yearlings averaged $481,000, which was clearly the most by a first-season stallion, and he finished third on the leading gross table with $14,430,000.
Arrowfield was leading vendor by gross, selling 47 yearlings for a total of $15,195,000, while The Chase topped the averages for those who sold multiple lots with their six yearlings selling at an average of $538,333.
All up, $202,092,500 changed hands across the four days of Book 1 with yearlings selling at an average of $275,330. The median was $200,000 with a clearance rate just over 85 percent.
Last year's gross was a tick over $205m, but the average was up on last year's $272,507, leaving Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch ecstatic.
"I'm delighted, $200 million was a real goal," he said.
"To have 40 less horses catalogued and 20-plus more withdrawals, and some significant withdrawals among them.
"It was pleasing to get close to last year's gross, to increase the clearance rate which is nudging towards 86% and an average that is up on last year.
"I think all the key numbers leading in are reflective of what we believed was a strong catalogue."
2026 Gold Coast Yearling Sale top lots
$2,000,000 – Frankel x Antibes colt (bought by Tom Magnier)
$2,000,000 – Extreme Choice x Hazlebrook colt (Yulong)
$1,600,000 – Snitzel x Madame Andree filly (Hermitage)
$1,500,000 – Snitzel x Embrace Me colt (China Horse Club, Newgate, Clarke Bloodstock)
$1,500,000 – Snitzel x Iffranesia colt (Tom Magnier)
$1,500,000 – Snitzel x Vangelic colt (Guy Mulcaster & Chris Waller)
$1,250,000 – I Am Invincible x Qafila filly (Guy Mulcaster & Chris Waller)
$1,200,000 – Extreme Choice x Dame Giselle colt (Guy Mulcaster & Chris Waller)
$1,200,000 – I Am Invincible x Key filly (Knine Inc & Rising Sun Synd)
$1,200,000 – Snitzel x Krone colt (James Harron & Tony Fung)
$1,200,000 – Snitzel x Play That Song colt (James Harron & Tony Fung)
$1,100,000 – Frankel x Miss Alacrity colt (James Harron & Tony Fung)
$1,100,000 – Anamoe x Secret Trail colt (Ciaron Maher)
$1,050,000 – I Am Invincible x Avantage filly (Glentree & Badgers Bloodstock)
$1,000,000 – I Am Invincible x Lankan Star filly (Waterhouse/Bott & Kestrel Bloodstock)
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