Magic Millions Adelaide Sale Delivers Quality Results Despite Market Shifts

Despite a slight downturn in industry metrics, vendors at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale likely left with a sense of relief that the outcome wasn’t worse. Considering it is a third-tier sale in a state where racing and breeding face challenges, the results were still solid enough to earn a positive assessment.

The oft-used term ‘selective market’ again held sway, with the overnight clearance rate at 76%—down five points but still in line with trends seen throughout 2025. While the lower clearance rate inflated the average sale price to $48,991 (down just 1.1% from last year), Magic Millions only needs to move 21 of the 91 passed-in lots over the coming days to see the clearance rate rebound to around the 2024 figure of 81%. If that happens, the average price is expected to drop further.

The most telling factor, however, is the median price, which fell significantly from $40,000 to just $32,500—a disappointing result for breeders hoping to at least break even after production costs.

As had been the case on the Gold Coast, Karaka, and in Tasmania, it was a pair of fillies that topped the market.

The highest-priced filly went through during Tuesday’s second session—a daughter of Zoustar out of the Swiss Ace mare Beauty Betty, eventually secured by syndicators BlueBlood Thoroughbreds and trainer Ciaron Maher for $350,000.

BlueBlood Racing Manager David Mourad admitted that purchasing such an expensive filly wasn’t originally part of their plan.

"Usually, we come down here to Adelaide to look for value and pick up some cheaper horses, but this time it was quite the opposite," Mourad said. "She was just a clear standout for us, and there wouldn't be many who disagree with that." That sentiment was reinforced when she topped the sale by a massive $90,000 margin.

"We had to bid strong on her. We didn't want to leave the sale without her, and we're very excited to be able to purchase her."

Mourad acknowledged that the filly was always going to attract a premium as the only Zoustar filly in the catalogue.

"Zoustar is doing a terrific job. We've had success with Zoustar in the past—BlueBlood raced his Gr.2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Lightsaber, who now stands at stud in Western Australia. When you see a filly like her, with a big hindquarter, very strong, deep girth, and a lovely action, she was just a clear standout. I believe she has all the attributes to make a nice two-year-old that should train on."

Her dam, Beauty Betty, won twice from thirteen starts—first at Scone on debut and later on the Ballarat synthetic track. While her city performances were modest, her mother, Ugly Betty (High Yield), proved far more reliable both on the track and in the breeding barn.

Ugly Betty secured five career wins, including victories at Canterbury and Eagle Farm, before producing seven winning foals from as many to race. The best of these was Huka Eagle, a full brother to Beauty Betty, who won six races between New Zealand and Macau, including the Listed Chairman’s Challenge Cup. Before being exported, he ran third in the Gr.1 Levin Classic at Trentham, beaten just a length by Gaultier (Rios).

Ugly Betty was the only winner out of the Vain mare Vanity Club, though another of Vanity Club’s daughters, My Girl Anne (Kenmare), became the granddam of the tough 13-time winner and Gr.3 Rubiton Stakes-placed Big Buddie (Lago Delight).

The filly was consigned by Baramul Stud in the picturesque Widden Valley, having been bred by Baramul and Magic Millions owner Gerry Harvey. Her two-year-old full sister—the mare’s first foal—is yet to be named.

The highlight of Monday’s opening session was another filly, this time purchased by Chinese buyer Wei Jiaoqi. Jiaoqi secured a daughter of Written Tycoon from the Yulong draft for $260,000 after fending off strong competition.

Built very much in the mold of her sire, the filly’s pedigree features a deep European influence. Her dam, Saaryaa, an unraced Irish-bred daughter of Dubawi, has as her granddam the European stakes-placed Red Dune (Red Ransom). Further back in the family tree, her fourth dam is the outstanding producer Hellenic (Darshaan), dam of four-time Gr.1 winner Islington (Sadler’s Wells) and fellow Gr.1 winners Greek Dance (Sadler’s Wells) and Mountain High (Danehill). The pedigree also includes Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente (Monsun) and fan favorite Tom Melbourne (Dylan Thomas).

Harry King from Yulong confirmed what was evident from inspections of the filly.

"She is a Written Tycoon through and through and is from a very lovely Dubawi mare. Written Tycoon keeps going from strength to strength, and he could well have another Slipper winner (Skyhook) coming at the end of the week. This filly looked very sharp, and we obviously saw a great result from her in the sale ring."

The top-priced colt of the sale went for $240,000, purchased by trainer Will Clarken, his client Rob Chapman, and agent Suman Hedge. The colt, a full brother to Peltzer, was part of the Mill Park Stud draft.

His dam, Miss Otto, has only produced two winners from seven foals to race. However, with Peltzer having won the Gr.2 Stan Fox Stakes before retiring to stud, and his full sister Madison Kate placing third in the Listed Clare Lindop Stakes, the mare has proven her ability to produce competitive racehorses.

Clarken’s Racing Manager, Lachie Weekley, was thrilled with their acquisition.

"He's a beautiful colt, just a lovely, well-balanced horse. He has a lovely ‘So You Think head’ on him, and he looks to have a lot of class."

Speaking after the sale, Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch highlighted the strength at the top end of the market.

"All in all, it's been a pleasing couple of days. It showed this week that quality horses still make plenty of money. We sold more horses for six figures compared to last year," he said, acknowledging that buyers are being increasingly selective with their spending.

"When a nice horse stepped into the ring, particularly a colt that ticked all the boxes, there were a number of people there, and they sold very well."

The decision by William Inglis & Son to funnel higher-quality horses into their Melbourne Premier Sale appeared to pay dividends, a strategy Magic Millions is likely to replicate for future Adelaide sales.

"We will look to the local breeders to support this sale with their better horses going forward. We think we've got a really good market here for those sorts of horses," Bowditch said.

He was also encouraged by increased spending from South Australian buyers, which bodes well for the region’s racing and breeding industries.

"The local market has really pleased us. They bought more horses than last year and spent more, and that's important to the ecosystem for South Australia. That is important and part of the reason we have the sale here—to support the local economy and local racing."

Now, trade shifts back to Magic Millions’ Gold Coast headquarters, where their March Yearling Sale—delayed due to Cyclone Alfred—will begin next Monday, March 24. The 380-lot catalogue is expected to be well supported by Queensland buyers, particularly as the majority of entries are eligible for QTIS bonuses.