Buyers hunt for next Stay Inside

The first progeny of The Autumn Sun, Justify, Brave Smash and Grunt are expected to turn heads when the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale gets underway on Thursday.

A popular source of quality young bloodstock, the sale has unearthed a growing list of champion racehorses, including this year’s Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside, who was purchased for $60,000 in 2019.

As well as the strong representation from new stallions, young progeny from in-demand sires including Capitalist, Written Tycoon and Shalaa will be offered through the ring.

The sale also features Shadwell Stud’s dispersal of its weanling stock, with 21 impeccably bred colts and fillies offered for unreserved sale.

Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch says he expects the insatiable demand at Australian yearling sales in 2021 to extend to the weanling market.

“I think the quality of catalogue we’ve put together for our weanling sale this year is sensational,” Bowditch said.

“The buyers have been on the grounds since Sunday busily looking through the catalogue and the reports I’m getting are that there is a lot of quality.

“It’s always exciting to see the first progeny by these new, young and vibrant stallions and it’s another great line-up of those, but you’ve also got stallions that are making an immediate impact with their two-year-olds like Capitalist and Extreme Choice.

“The industry here in Australia is having a fantastic run, it’s been a great yearling sales series and we expect strong bidding again here on Thursday and Friday – hopefully the results are what the vendors are looking for.”

Some of Australasia’s best mares, including Group 1 stars Arcadia Queen, Melody Belle and Nettoyer, will be offered for sale at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, which begins on Tuesday.