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Zoustar Filly Tops Day 2 of Magic Millions National

The filly was consigned by her breeder Gerry Harvey's Baramul Stud.

The Zoustar filly consigned as Lot 1643 in the ring at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale

The Zoustar filly consigned as Lot 1643 in the ring at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale

Courtesy Magic Millions

Hong Kong's large-scale Australian Thoroughbred industry investor Tony Fung rounded out his 2023 yearling portfolio with the acquisition of an AU$450,000 (US$293,614, AU$1=US$0.6524) filly by Zoustar on the Gold Coast.

The highest-priced yearling sold on Day 2 of the Magic Millions National Sale, the daughter of Widden Stud's Zoustar joins the TFI operation, which has acquired 65 yearlings in the past five months, either outright or in partnership, to embark on racecourse careers next season.

TFI, which sold 19 geldings and stallion Performer for a total of AU$696,500 ($454,449) as part of a racehorse reduction to conclude the two-and-a-half week AU$140 million ($91,346,500) National extravaganza, reached a deal with owner-breeder Gerry Harvey of Baramul Stud to buy the daughter of Palazzo Cristallo and granddaughter of dual group 2 winner Palacio De Cristal.

The Zoustar filly was initially passed in at AU$425,000 before Baramul Stud's Gerry Harvey, his racing and bloodstock manager Luke McDonald, and TFI's Sally Williams reached a deal for the yearling to change hands.

Williams believes TFI bought the filly "quite well" and the fact she was by Zoustar added to her appeal as the Fungs co-raced the stallion's champion daughter Sunlight.

"She is an outstanding filly and we probably would have had to pay a bit more for her in January (at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale)," Williams said.

"The Fung family has enjoyed racing fillies. This year we've had (the stakes-placed 2-year-olds) Facile and Empress Of Wonder, so they're really getting enjoyment out of racing fillies, and we thought we'd buy a few more this year. 

"They hold their value and we can always go on and breed with them in the future."

Palazzo Cristallo has produced two winners from as many to race, while her 2-year-old daughter Lickety Snitz, an AU$370,000 purchase by Proven Thoroughbreds' Jamie Walter, is in training with Steve O'Dea and Matt Hoysted in Brisbane.

TFI also bought fillies by Trapeze Artist, the sire of Facile, and Brave Smash for AU$120,000 and AU$57,500, respectively, at this week's National sale. 

The two most expensive yearlings sold at the National sale were fillies, with a half sister by The Autumn Sun to Hong Kong champion Werther and Australasian Oaks (G1) winner Toffee Tongue selling for AU$750,000 on Tuesday.

Soon after, Kiwi agent Bevan Smith teamed up with New Zealand trainer Steven Cole to buy a Baramul Stud-sold All Too Hard colt out of Sawn Off Shotgun for AU$155,000.

"All Too Hard is a stallion who is doing really well all over the world, particularly in Hong Kong, so there's a bit of a trade aspect to him as well," Smith said.

"I also like the fact that he's out of a More Than Ready mare, a bit of sharpness in there, so I am very pleased to have got him as he is one of the stand-out physical types in the sale."

Smith's client, the Byerley Park-based Cole, has trained 55 winners so far in his burgeoning training career.

The agent said: "The colt will go back to New Zealand, but not for the breeze-up sales, although there is always that option to trade him. If he looks like a decent horse, they'll be happy to race him as well."

2023 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, Scene
Photo: Courtesy Magic Millions

The clearance rate increased slightly on Day 2, closing at 67% for the Book 1 catalog, but trade remained troublesome for many vendors who had enjoyed the COVID-19-inspired buoyancy of recent years.

The Book 1 National Yearling Sale saw 209 horses sold for AU$9,474,000 ($6,181,548) at an average of AU$45,330 ($29,576) and a median of AU$30,000 ($19,574).

Assessing the National Sale as a whole, Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch remained upbeat about the fortunes for the auction house and the industry as a whole heading into 2024.

"I would say it has been a great success given the fact we've sold AU$140 million and counting worth of horses and sold them to many different countries and jurisdictions and facilitated the sale of a huge amount of horses for our vendors," Bowditch said.

"Obviously, the market's become a little bit more selective and a bit more cautious, but in saying that, AU$140 million is still a big result in the scheme of things."

The National Broodmare Sale contributed AU$107.773 million in turnover, while AU$22.261 million changed hands at the two-day National Weanling Sale. The 2022 National Sale turned over AU$161.5 million, while the record 2021 sale achieved AU$191.305 million in turnover.

Bowditch added: "I think the fundamentals, and I have said this for a long time, are very, very good (with the Australian racing industry). 

"We're a culture that loves racing, so I think, long term, the fundamentals are so strong that once people come to terms with the economy and where we are with that, we will continue on and thrive.

"Magic Millions has great confidence with where we are at and we'll continue to do the best by our vendors and buyers."

Inglis will round out the eastern state live auction season with the Great Southern Sale in Melbourne next week, while New Zealand Bloodstock will hold its live auction at Karaka June 16.