Magic Millions extends Gold Coast sale to seven days

Magic Millions, which sets the benchmarks and market sentiment for the Australasian sales series each year, will conduct an expanded seven-day Gold Coast yearling sale in January as the company attempts to strike a balance between vendor and buyer demand.

The auction house yesterday announced that its 2021 showcase sale will have 1273 yearlings catalogued - 962 lots in Book 1 and 311 in Book 2 - with two sessions added to the schedule to accommodate the additional horses.

The Gold Coast sale will now start on Tuesday, January 12, with an afternoon session followed by three more full days of selling and the Saturday night auction bringing an end to the Book 1 catalogue.

The Book 2 sale, to start at 2pm on the Sunday and three hours later than the corresponding session this year, will conclude on Monday, January 18, and incorporate a small Book 3 yearling and racehorse sale which has been brought forward by a day.

Importantly, the January 12 Surfers Paradise beachside barrier draw for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) and 3YO Guineas (RL, 1400m), which generates much interest and fanfare from racegoers and connections, will still take place, with the opening Book 1 sale session to start at midday to allow people to return to the complex before Lot 1 enters the ring.

Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch cited client demand and customer comfort as one of the reasons behind the scheduling reshuffle.

“The increases to Book 1 are subtle. The numbers haven’t increased by much, but the length of the days are shortened,” Bowditch said yesterday.

“Selling was getting into the evening the past couple of years, so we thought by dropping an hour off each day and adding a few more yearlings into the catalogue would give us a reason to start on Tuesday.

“That way, it gives our buyers, vendors and visitors reason to come and enjoy the sale, an opportunity to look at a few more horses, but also to enjoy their time up on the Gold Coast.”

At this year’s sale, there were 888 lots in Book 1 and 177 yearlings catalogued in Book 2. The catalogue for the 2021 Magic Millions sale is expected to be released soon.

The idea of an expanded January sale had been floated earlier this year by some connected to Magic Millions as it became apparent the effect of the coronavirus pandemic would be long-lasting and would have ramifications for the 2021 sales series.

Magic Millions has vowed to adhere to all Covid-19 restrictions which are in place come January, but Bowditch can “see light at the end of the tunnel”.

“Obviously we still have a little way to go, but we’re excited about the catalogue and we’re excited that we’ve got a huge race day,” he said.

To get people up here and create that vibe is something that we are very much looking forward to.”

One casualty of the rescheduling is the loss of the Magic Millions Polo, which has been postponed until 2022.

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