HAVING paid A$4.2million for the race mare Sunlight as a broodmare prospect at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Tom Magnier went back to the well on Wednesday buying her Zoustar full-brother for $3 million late in the final session of the Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale.

The colt was the highest priced of 20 yearlings to sell for $1 million or greater as the sale surged on day two to finish with the highest gross, highest average and highest median in the sale’s 117-year history.

From 438 yearlings offered, sold at a clearance rate of 85%, the sale average was an eye-watering $407,500. The sale median was $300,000 and the gross $150,775,000 as I Am Invincible led the sire averages, his 31 yearlings to sell averaging an incredible $725,806. Snitzel, Not a Single Doubt, Zoustar and Toronado all averaged above $500,000, while Justify was the leading first season sire, his 17 yearlings to sell averaging $338,529.

Aggressive

On the buying bench Coolmore were aggressive, the fall of the hammer going Tom Magnier’s way on six occasions, all for seven-figure purchases: two Zoustar colts, two Snitzel colts and a colt each by Written Tycoon and I Am Invincible.

“We’re in the game this week of trying to find stallions. If you want to find the good pedigrees, they’re all here this week at Inglis Easter,” said Magnier.

“Around the world there are a lot of high prices on yearlings, but it’s about the types you walk away with. The truck will be going back to the farm tonight and to the breakers and hopefully, there is the next Home Affairs in there.”

Amongst the vendors Coolmore and Widden Stud both grossed over $10 million, but it was Arrowfield who stole the show, their 58 yearlings to sell grossing over $30 million, the first time any vendor has breached that mark.

“We were very pleased with the outcome, I’m elated and I’m really happy for the team,” said Arrowfield’s John Messara.

“We broke our own record, by a huge margin, by $9 million which is ridiculous. We are very proud of that. It’s very gratifying because there has been a massive investment to get to where we are today.”

ON the final day of the Easter Yearling sale, Racing New South Wales announced the launch of an equestrian event with a minimum of A$1 million in prize money exclusively for retired thoroughbred racehorses called Equimillion.

The Equimillion competition will include eventing, show jumping, dressage and showing with a particular focus on amateur competitors with the inaugural event to be held in October 2023.

“Equimillion will become the go to event for equestrian competitors in all disciplines,” said Racing NSW chief executive, Peter V’landys, “and in time, it will b a major event for NSW with competitors coming from all states of Australia.”