Barry Bowditch

Zhijun Zhao secured Group 1-winning sprinter Espiona (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}) for A$4.15 million (€2,490,512) at a standalone virtual sale held by Magic Millions on Wednesday. Arrowfield Stud was the underbidder. Trained by Chris Waller for Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds, Espiona won seven of her 24 starts and earned over A$3.3 million in prize-money during her illustrious career, with her biggest success coming in 2023 when she defeated the multiple Group 1 heroine Pride Of Jenni (Aus) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) by a nose to win the G1 Coolmore Classic...

by Kristen Manning/TTR AusNZ One of Australia's finest equine properties, Strawberry Hill Stud, is set to continue its role as an industry leader with the famed thoroughbred nursery purchased by Coolmore Australia for an undisclosed amount. And they are very pleased to have done so with Tom Magnier telling The Thoroughbred Report, "You just don't see places like that anywhere in the world go on the market." "The facilities are top class, everything has been done to the highest of standards," he said, adding that not much needs to be...

Group 2 winner Kiku (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) brought A$1.46 million from Katsumi Yoshida in a special standalone auction hosted by Magic Millions on Thursday. Consigned by Brett Howard's Glenesk Thoroughbreds as agent for Star Thoroughbreds, the 6-year-old was offered unreserved as a broodmare prospect. "Magic Millions handled an unusually difficult situation very professionally and it worked out extremely well," Star Thoroughbreds' Denise Martin told The Thoroughbred Report of the technical difficulties that cropped up in the last few minutes of the proceedings. "We're elated the mare has been bought by...

Offered by Newgate Consignment, Forbidden Love (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) (lot 568) topped Day 1 of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, selling to Yulong Stud for $4.1 million on a strong day of trade. The three-time Group 1 winner was one of 35 mares snapped up by the racing and breeding entity, whose total spend was A$19,031,000 on Tuesday. Three other millionaires--there were nine during the first session overall--also made their way into the Yulong fold. Dual top-level winner Snapdancer (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) (lot 645), from the Sullivan...

The scene is set for an electrifying 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast, May 25-27. The appearance of record-breaking mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands (Aus) was announced earlier this year, and she will be joined by a host of other top-class mares and fillies. The sale will also feature the Shadwell Australia dispersal for mares and weanlings. TDN's Gary King caught up with Barry Bowditch before the action kicked off in Queensland. GK: Congratulations on putting together such a strong catalogue. It must be an extremely...