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A wrap of this year’s National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast
Magic Millions is celebrating a National Weanling Sale that exceeded expectations after the prized two-day offering wrapped up on the Gold Coast on Monday.
An $800,000 daughter of I Am Invincible – the most expensive filly ever sold at the National Weanling Sale – capped a stellar second day, which contributed to outstanding results.
The gross of $18,827,500 was down on last year's $22,165,000, but 69 more lots were offered in 2023, while the $77,162 average was also down on last year's $83,015 but that was partly due to a 72 percent clearance rate in 2023.
This year's clearance rate was almost 81 percent.
"To see the average hold, to see the clearance rate increase and to have a really healthy gross given there were a significant amount of fewer horses in the catalogue this year was a great result," Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said.
"It has exceeded our expectations going in.
"The first season sires, Stay Inside and in particular Home Affairs, have had outstanding sales and whether it be a filly or a colt – I think you're paid very well for quality – and it's outstanding to see many end users supporting the sale and taking the pin-hookers on and keeping them honest in the marketplace.
"I think it's a huge melting pot, the weanling market. I think it's under-utilised by our breeders. I think you bring quality here, you do get well paid."
The I Am Invincible filly, who is from the family of Golden Slipper winner Forensics and last Saturday's National 2YO Classic winner Arabian Summer, claimed the mantle as the sale's top lot from the opening day's star attraction, a colt by Frankel who sold for $500,000.
Frankel also had the third highest-priced lot of the sale, a filly who sold for $450,000, while first-season sires Home Affairs and Stay Inside rounded out the top five, producing $430,000 and $400,000 lots at their first National Sale.
Home Affairs grossed a tick over $3m, almost 2.5 times more than the next best, while his $189,688 average was second best for stallions who had at least three lots sell behind Zoustar who had three lots sell at $246,667.
Coolmore was leading vendor on gross and average, for those with at least three lots, while no one spent more money than North, who paid $1,076,00 at an average of $215,200.
SALE STATISTICS (2023 in brackets)
Lots Catalogued: 374 (478)
Lots Sold: 244 (267)
Lots Withdrawn: 70 (105)
Lots Passed In: 59 (106)
Sale Gross: $18,827,500 ($22,165,000)
Top Price: $800,000 ($925,000)
Average Price: $77,162 ($83,015)
Median Price: $41,000 ($50,000)
Sold %: 81 (72)
