The Cycle of Success

from 2023 MMGC Magazine

Lot 170 was a bay colt by Lunchtime from Easy Date, and he sold for $22,000. Named Snippets, he won the inaugural Magic Millions and became the poster boy for the sale as their first champion, going on that season to win the Gr.1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes and finishing his two-year-old season with five wins from seven starts. Back at three, he took on the older sprinters and won four of his seven starts, including the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate and Gr.1 Galaxy Handicap. The Champion 2YO and Champion Sprinter retired to Trans Media Park Stud (now Twin Hills Stud) in 1988, then moved to Arrowfield Stud in 1994 when Trans Media Park Stud was dispersed. Sire of 55 stakes winners, he died in 2002, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the Australian racing industry. His sire sons include Pins, Snowland, and Snippetson, but it is as a broodmare sire that Snippets has thrived, with Champion Sire Snitzel, and thirteen other Gr.1 winners, and is the second damsire of unbeaten Champion racemare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) who is out of Helsinge (Desert Sun-Scandinavia, by Snippets). The $1million Magic Millions Snippets, run over 1200m, is named in his honour.

Champion Sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice-Snippet’s Lass, by Snippets) was a $260,000 yearling at the 2004 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and after winning the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate, he has gone on to win four Australian Sire Championships, with 128 stakes winners and is the sire of exciting young stallion Shamus Award (20 stakes winners).

Savabeel (Zabeel-Savannah Success, by Success Express) won the Gr.1 WS Cox Plate as a three-year-old, as well as the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes, and has since been crowned Champion Sire in NZ on seven occasions. Sold at the 2003 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $400,000, Savabeel is the sire of 127 stakes winners.

With stallions like Zoustar, Not a Single Doubt, General Nediym, Written Tycoon, Sebring, Magic Albert, Stratum, and Testa Rossa among the proven sires who have been sold as yearlings at the Gold Coast, there is a long history of successful stallions purchased here.

Throw in some of the rising stars, like Pierro, Capitalist, Star Turn, Star Witness, Rubick, and Vancouver and the future looks extremely bright. Even brighter are the young unproven stallions who were sold as yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale – Farnan, Tagaloa, Stay Inside, Capitvant, King’s Legacy – and of course the six first season sires with their first yearlings appearing at the 2023 sale.

The cycle of stallion success will continue this year with six Magic Millions graduates among the twenty-four first season sires who have first crop yearlings at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Yes Yes Yes (Rubick-Sin Sin Sin, by Fantastic Light) stood in 2020 at Coolmore Stud for $38,500

A boom two-year-old whose Gr.2 Todman Stakes win was one of his three wins at two, Yes Yes Yes is most famous for taking on the older sprinters in The Everest and winning, beating Santa Ana Lane and Trekking with future Champion Sprinter Nature Strip in fourth. Two other winners of The Everest, Redzel and Classique Legend, were also in the field, as was Champion 3YO Sunlight. It was arguably the best sprint field ever assembled in Australia. Yes Yes Yes also placed in the Gr.1 Golden Rose and Gr.2 Run to the Roses on his way to The Everest glory.

From the first crop of Magic Millions graduate Rubick, Yes Yes Yes was crowned Champion 3YO Colt, and is one of seven stakes winners for his young sire, who recently earned his first Gr.1 winner when Jacquinot won this season’s Gr.1 Golden Rose. Yes Yes Yes has a strong colonial family. He is a half-brother to stakes placed winner Dee Nine Elle, and his winning dam is a half-sister to group winning sprinters Hot as Hell, Flaming Hot, and Craig’s Dragon, as well to the winning dam of dual Gr.1 winner In Her Time.

Yes Yes Yes was popular in his first season at stud, and has 112 live foals on the ground in his first crop. Sold at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $200,000, Yes Yes Yes won four of his eight starts and over $7.1million. He has 29 first crop yearlings catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pierata (Pierro-November Flight, by Flying Spur) stood in 2020 at Aquis Farm for $44,000

Sold at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $160,000, Pierata won nine races and over $5.8million. A winner at two, and placed in the Gr.2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes behind Melody Belle who went on to win 14 Gr.1 races, Pierata improved at three to win a group race and place in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas behind Kementari. At four, Pierata showed his class to win the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes, a race he almost won again at five, missing out by a nose to Tofane. Pierata was a tough racehorse who competed against the best sprinters in Australia.

From the first crop of Magic Millions graduate and Triple Crown winner Pierro, Pierata is one of Pierro’s 31 stakes winners with Arcadia Queen, Regal Power, Shadow Hero, Levendi, and Pinot all joining Pierata as Gr.1 winners.

Pierata’s dam, November Flight, won seven races including the Gr.3 Millie Fox Stakes and has also left group winner, and Gr.1 placed Ashokan, group place winner Jet Propulsion, and the dam of Gr.3 winner Our Playboy.

Breeders recognised his speed and soundness, and he has been popular in his first seasons at stud. His first crop consists of 115 live foals, with 32 of them catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Zousain (Zoustar-Pasar Silbano, by Elnadim) stood in 2020 at Widden Stud for $19,800

Zousain was extremely popular in his first season at stud, and has 138 live foals on the ground, with 35 of them catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. From the first crop of Zoustar, Zousain showed his speed early winning on debut in Sydney in February, before running fourth in the Gr.2 Skyline Stakes at only his second start. Back for the Brisbane carnival, Zousain won the Gr.2 Champagne Classic before running second in the Gr.2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and the Gr.1 JJ Atkins Stakes (to future Champion 3YO The Autumn Sun). As a three-year-old, Zousain encountered a couple of champions, running second in the Gr.1 Golden Rose to The Autumn Sun and second in the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes to Sunlight.

Magic Millions graduate Zoustar (Northern Meteor) has quickly proven to be a very good stallion, leaving Champion 3YO Filly Sunlight in his first crop, and already has 33 stakes winners on the board. The 2018 Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes was a Zoustar trifecta with Sunlight, Zousain, and Lean Mean Machine; an incredible outcome for Zoustar’s first crop (and for Magic Millions who sold all three).

Zousain is one of three winners for his Gr.3 winning dam, Pasar Silbano, who was a quality two-year-old, winning four races at that age (five in total) in Ireland and America.

Zousain lived up to the early maturing form on both sides of his pedigree, and buyers have 35 yearlings by him to find the next generation of success.

D’Argento (So You Think-Fullazz, by Redoute’s Choice) stood in 2020 at Bowness Stud for $16,500

Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas winner D’Argento was offered by Baramul Stud at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and was sold for $135,000. Unbeaten in two starts as a two-year-old, D’Argento won first up at three, then ran third in the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes. His next three starts were all in Gr.1 company and he won the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas and ran fourth against the older horses in the Gr.1 Doncaster. Back at four, he only raced in Gr.1 and Gr.2 races, placing in the Gr.1 Epsom, Gr.1 Winx Stakes, and Gr.2 Theo Marks. He retired with four wins and four placings from 14 starts and earnings over $1.1million.

D’Argento’s sire So You Think is often touted as the best looking horse in Australia, but he’s not just handsome! The Champion racehorse won ten Gr.1 races in Australia and Europe and is now the successful sire of 46 stakes winners including nine Gr.1 winners. He has emerged as one of Australia’s leading sires.

D’Argento’s dam was quick, winning the Listed Debutante Stakes and three other races, and she also left Fullazaboot, who ran second to Sunlight in the Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic at only his third start.

From a first crop of 104 foals, D’Argento has 18 first crop yearlings catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Unite and Conquer (Hinchinbrook-Maglissa, by Magnus) stood in 2020 at Kingstar Farm for $6,600

A boom two-year-old, Unite and Conquer won his first two starts, both at Listed level, before unfortunately being injured in the Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. A rehabilitation attempt was unsuccessful and he was retired to stud, standing at a great value price.

Initially purchased at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $80,000, Unite and Conquer was first seen in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes which he won in 57.82 for the 1000m, beating Sun City who went on to win the Gr.3 BJ McLachlan Stakes. Next up, he won the Listed Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic, beating Exhilarates, who went on to win the big race in January.

By successful sire Hinchinbrook, whose 22 stakes winners include Gr.1 winners Beat The Clock, Press Statement, Spright, and Seabrook, Unite and Conquer is out of city winner Maglissa, a daughter of Gr.1 Flight Stakes winner Danglissa.

From 55 foals in his first crop, Unite and Conquer has seven yearlings catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Dubious (Not a Single Doubt-Suspicieuse, by Elusive City) stood in 2020 at Aquis Farm for $13,200

The epitome of an early two-year-old Dubious won the Gr.3 Breeders’ Plate on debut as a September two-year-old. He followed his up with another win in December, then was second to Exhilarates in the Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Dubious went on to win the Gr.2 Champagne Classic, and place in the Gr.2 Todman Stakes.

Back at three, Dubious placed in the Gr.2 Danehill Stakes and was fourth in the Gr.3 Vain Stakes, retiring with three wins and three placings from twelve starts with earnings over $1.2million, an excellent profit on his yearling price at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he cost $350,000.

Not a Single Doubt took a little while to get going with his stud career, but when it took off, he really flew, and now has 79 stakes winners. His sons at stud are mostly too young to have runners, however, Extreme Choice has been an extraordinary find with 8 stakes winners from three small crops of racing age. Dubious is out of stakes placed winner Suspicieuse who is a half-sister to French group winner Sediciosa.

With 97 foals in his first crop, Dubious has appealed to breeders looking for early maturing speed, and buyers will get the chance to inspect 17 of first crop yearlings catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

FIRST CROP SIRES

There’s something so exciting about anything new. It’s the untapped potential that comes with maybe finding the next big thing, perhaps even the next Danehill! At the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, there are twenty-four sires with first crop yearlings on offer, and buyers will be spending their time hunting for the next Extreme Choice (Gr.1 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside in his first crop), Capitalist (Gr.1 winning two-year-old Captivant in his first crop), and Flying Artie (Gr.1 Blue Diamond winner Artorius in his first crop). Current top quality sires and Magic Millions graduates Written Tycoon, Zoustar and Spirit of Boom all were the leading first season sires of their year before going on to bigger successes.

Brutal (O’Reilly-Alberton Princess, Golan) stood in 2020 at Newgate Farm for $27,500

Brutal won the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile as a three-year-old in a career that spanned three seasons. A winner of his only start at two, Brutal was pitted against the older horses at three, winning the Doncaster and finishing second in the Gr.1 George Ryder behind champion mare Winx. By New Zealand Champion Sire O’Reilly, Brutal is from a strong New Zealand family and is a half-brother to Listed winner Talaria.

Brutal was very popular with breeders, and has 124 live foals in his first crop with 26 of them catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Blue Point (Shamardal-Scarlett Rose, by Royal Applause) stood in 2020 at Darley for $44,000

A Champion Sprinter who emulated Choisir by winning the Royal Ascot Gr.1 King’s Stand Stakes and Gr.1 Diamond Jubilee in the same year, Blue Point was a group winner at two (and twice Gr.1 placed). He was a group winner at three, then won his first Gr.1 King’s Stand Stakes at four, following it up at five with a win in the Gr.1 Meydan Al Quoz Sprint before the Royal Ascot double. By Champion racehorse and sire Shamardal, Blue Point is a half-brother to group winning two-year-old Formosina.

Australians love a tough sprinter, and Blue Point had 100 foals in his first crop with 21 yearlings catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Too Darn Hot (Dubawi-Dar Re Mi, by Singspiel) stood in 2020 at Darley for $44,000

Champion 2YO and 3YO in Europe, Too Darn Hot won the Gr.1 Dewhurst at two, won by the likes of Frankel, Teofilo, Shamardal, New Approach, Grand Lodge, and Rock of Gibraltar; then went on at three to win both the Gr.1 Prix Jean Prat and Gr.1 Sussex Stakes. By Champion sire Dubawi, Too Darn Hot is out of triple Gr.1 winner Dar Re Mi, who is the dam of five other stakes horses, and his second dam is Gr.1 winner Darara, dam of four Gr.1 winners, the others being Rewilding, River Dancer, and Darazari.

Too Darn Hot has 85 live foals with 21 first crop yearlings catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Exceedance (Exceed and Excel-Bonnie Mac, by Thorn Park) stood in 2020 at Vinery for $38,500

Winner of the stallion making Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, Exceedance won at two, and sprinted at three. All up he won three of his nine starts; the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, as well as running third in the Gr.1 Golden Rose. Exceedance is by Champion Sire and Champion 2YO Sire Exceed and Excel from Listed winner Bonnie Mac, making him a full brother to group winner Oxley Road and a half-brother to Listed winner Mac ‘n’ Cheese. This is Australia’s premier fast 2YO sireline.

Exceedance had 95 live foals in his first crop with 20 yearlings catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Microphone (Exceed and Excel-Sung, by Anabaa) stood in 2020 at Darley for $38,500

Champion 2YO in Australia, Microphone won the Gr.1 Sires’ Produce Stakes and was second in the Gr.1 Golden Slipper to win four of his six starts at two. Back at three, Microphone was a group winner who placed in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas. By Champion Sire and Champion 2YO Sire Exceed and Excel, Microphone is out of Listed winner Sung, who is a full sister to dual Gr.1 winner Yell, and Gr.1 winner Holler is also from this family. A fast Gr.1 2YO from a fast 2YO sireline.

With 20 yearlings catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, this represents a third of his first crop of 62 live foals.

Castelvecchio (Dundeel-St. Therese, by Dehere) stood in 2020 at Arrowfield Stud for $33,000

A Gr.1 winner at two and three, Castelvecchio showed his class when second in the Gr.1 WS Cox Plate as a three-year-old. At two he won three races; the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes and the Listed Inglis Millennium, then at three he won the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas. One of five Gr.1 winners for young sire Dundeel, Castelvecchio is out of Listed winner St. Therese, making him a half-brother to Gr.1 winner Maid of Heaven, group winner Mirrasalo (dam of group winner Mirra Vision) and also to the dams of Listed winner Precious Memories and Hussy by Choice.

Nineteen of his 95 first crop yearlings are catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Cosmic Force (Deep Field-Little Zeta, by Commands) stood in 2020 at Newgate Farm for $16,500

A boom two-year-old for his young sire, Cosmic Force won the Gr.2 Pago Pago Stakes at two, and went on with it at three, winning the Gr.2 Roman Consul Stakes. By the very speedy Deep Field who already has three Gr.1 winners and 21 stakes winners from his first few crops, Cosmic Force is from a colonial family and is a half-brother to group winner Onemorezeta and a full brother to Listed winner Razeta.

Of his 88 first crop foals, 18 are catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice-Lago Ovation, by Encosta de Lago) stood in 2020 at Yulong Stud for $27,500

Winner of the Gr.1 CF Orr Stakes against the older horses while only a three-year-old, Alabama Express also won his only start at two. The quality sprinter is by sire of sires Redoute’s Choice from a half-sister to The Everest winner Giga Kick, with a strong international pedigree behind him.

Alabama Express was popular in his first season with 114 foals, and 17 have been catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Magna Grecia (Invincible Spirit-Cabaret, by Galileo) stood in 2020 at Coolmore Stud for $22,000

Champion 3YO Miler, Magna Grecia was a Gr.1 winner at two and three in England, winning the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes at two, and the time-honoured Gr.1 The Two Thousand Guineas at three. By Champion Sire of 2YOs and sire of sires Invincible Spirit, Magna Grecia is a half-brother to Europe’s Horse of the Year and five-time Gr.1 winner St Mark’s Basilica, with both being out of group winning juvenile Cabaret. Magna Grecia had 74 live foals in his first crop and twelve have been catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Tassort (Brazen Beau-Essaouira, by Exceed and Excel) stood in 2020 at Newgate Farm for $11,000

Winner of the Golden Gift and placed in the Gr.2 Silver Slipper at his only two starts, Tassort had 100 live foals in his first crop. By dual Gr.1 winning sprinter Brazen Beau who has already clocked up 20 stakes winners at stud, Tassort is beautifully bred, being a half-brother to triple Gr.1 winner Alizee, and Gr.1 winner Astern, as well as stakes placed winner Mogador, and the dam of group winner Mamounia.

Tassort has eight first crop yearlings catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Calyx (Kingman-Helleborine, by Observatory) stood in 2020 at Coolmore Stud for $17,600

An unbeaten two-year-old who won a group race at Royal Ascot, Calyx was a quick group winning sprinter at three. By young sire sensation Kingman, who was the second fastest sire to reach 50 stakes winners in Europe after Frankel, Calyx is out of group winning two-year-old Helleborine, who is a full sister to Gr.1 Sprint Cup winner African Rose, and to the dam of triple Gr.1 winner Native Trail.

Calyx has seven (of his 45 live foals) catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Super Seth (Dundeel-Salutations, by Redoute’s Choice) stood in 2020 at Waikato Stud for NZ$35,000+GST

Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth won two of his three starts at two, before his impressive three-year-old season where he beat multiple Gr.1 winner Alligator Blood in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas, and placed in the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes against the older horses.

One of five Gr.1 winners for young sire Dundeel who now has 18 stakes winners, Super Seth is from Dundeel’s second crop. A half-brother to group winner Wild

Planet, Super Seth’s second dam is speedy stakes winner Toast of the Coast.

Super Seth has 93 live foals in his first New Zealand crop, with seven of those travelling over to Australia for the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Royal Meeting (Invincible Spirit-Rock Opera, by Lecture) stood in 2020 at Leneva Park for $11,000

An unbeaten Gr.1 winning two-year-old in France, Royal Meeting was imported to Australia for his three-year-old season where he ran against the older horses, placing at group level. By Champion Sire of 2YOs and sire of sires Invincible Spirit, Royal Meeting is one of two group winners for his dam, Champion 2YO Filly and Gr.1 winner Rock Opera, and his half-brother won fifteen races including six at group and listed level.

Of his 60 first crop foals, six have been catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Omaha Beach (War Front-Charming, by Seeking the Gold) stood in 2020 at Spendthrift for $22,000

Triple Gr.1 winner Omaha Beach comes from one of the best families in the USA Stud book and he lived up to expectations with a stellar race record. By quality sire War Front, Omaha Beach is a half-brother to Champion 2YO Filly Take Charge Brandi (dam of recent Listed winner Courvoisier). His second dam is triple Gr.1 winner Take Charge Lady, dam of three Gr.1 winners.

Omaha Beach has 70 live foals in his first crop with four catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Cliff’s Edge (Canford Cliffs-Simulation, by Snadee) stood in 2020 at Cornwall Park for $6,600

A tough racehorse, multiple Gr.2 winner Cliff’s Edge raced from two till five, winning eight of his 30 starts and over $1.1million. At three he won the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes beating Levendi as well as two other group races, and at four he won the Gr.2 Schweppes Crystal Mile. By five-time Gr.1 winner Canford Cliffs who has sired 21 stakes winners, from eight race winner Simulation, who is also the granddam of Gr.3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes winner La Rocque.

Cliff’s Edge has 23 live foals in his first crop with three of them catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

I Am Immortal (I Am Invincible-Meliora, by Ad Valorem) stood in 2020 at Swettenham Stud for $13,750

I Am Immortal won his first two starts at two; the Listed Blue Diamond Preview and the Gr.3 Blue Diamond Prelude. Poor luck impacted his Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes run, but he returned at three to place in the Listed WJ Adams Stakes behind multiple group winner Jungle Edge. One of 85 stakes winners for I Am Invincible, I Am Immortal is out of Gr.2 winner Meliora, and is also a threequarter sibling to Whypeeo (I Am Invincible).

With 74 live foals, I Am Immortal has 3 first crop yearlings catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Strasbourg (I Am Invincible-Danish Spy, by Dane Shadow) stood in 2020 at Rosemont Farm for $11,000

Brilliant two-year-old Strasbourg won the Gr.2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and placed in three other stakes races at that age. By boom sire I Am Invincible, Strasbourg was an expensive yearling thanks to superior pedigree and physical type. His dam, Danish Spy, was a group placed winner of five races, and his second dam is stakes winner and good two-year-old Super Snooper who left Listed winner Forest Spy.

From 81 live foals in his first crop, Strasbourg has one yearling catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Vino Rosso (Curlin-Mythical Bride, by Street Cry) stood in 2020 at Spendthrift for $13,750

Winner of the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Gr.1 Santa Anita Gold Cup, Vino Rosso was unbeaten at two, a group winner at three, and a dual Gr.1 winner at four. All up, he won six races and over US$4.8million. By dual USA Horse of the Year Curlin, who is now a hugely successful stallion with 83 stakes winners, Vino Rosso is out of a winning Street Cry mare who is a half-sister to two group winners.

From 67 live foals, Vino Rosso will be represented by one first crop yearling catalogued at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.