Magic Millions 2026 Gold Coast Yearling Sale Day 1 Wrap
Day 1 Wrap — Lots 1-210 | Monday 13 January 2026
The 2026 Magic Millions kicked off with a session that reflected a more selective market — fewer lots sold but at significantly stronger prices. The average rose 12% year-on-year to $284,724, while the median jumped 11% to $200,000, suggesting the market is paying up for quality but passing on anything perceived as secondary.
A stunning Frankel filly topped proceedings at $2,000,000, snapped up by Tom Magnier for Coolmore, while first-season sires Home Affairs and Anamoe made emphatic starts to their commercial careers.
Day 1 At A Glance
| Metric | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalogued | 210 | 210 | — |
| Sold | 145 | 161 | -10% |
| Passed In | 40 | 28 | +43% |
| Withdrawn | 24 | 21 | +14% |
| Offered | 186 | 189 | -2% |
| Clearance Rate | 78.0% | 85.2% | -7.2pts |
| Gross Turnover | $41,285,000 | $40,860,000 | +1.0% |
| Average | $284,724 | $253,789 | +12.2% |
| Median | $200,000 | $180,000 | +11.1% |
Key Takeaway: Tighter clearance but stronger average and median = quality over quantity. Buyers are doing their homework and only bidding on stock they really want.
Top 10 Lots
| Lot | Sex | Sire | Dam (Damsire) | Vendor | Buyer | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | F | Frankel | Antibes (Lonhro) | Segenhoe Stud | Tom Magnier | $2,000,000 |
| 201 | M | Extreme Choice | Dame Giselle | Newgate Farm | Waller Racing/Mulcaster | $1,200,000 |
| 75 | F | I Am Invincible | Avantage | Coolmore Stud | Glentree/Badgers | $1,050,000 |
| 35 | M | I Am Invincible | Alassio | Silverdale Farm | Maher/Redvers | $950,000 |
| 137 | M | I Am Invincible | Calaverite | Emirates Park | PR Thoroughbreds | $875,000 |
| 183 | M | Snitzel | Complicit | Segenhoe Stud | Harron/Fung | $825,000 |
| 158 | M | Zoustar | Centimental | Torryburn Stud | Maher/Redvers | $825,000 |
| 96 | F | Justify | Bella Rosa | Coolmore Stud | Waterhouse & Bott | $750,000 |
| 99 | M | Too Darn Hot | Beloved | Sledmere Stud | China Horse Club/Newgate | $725,000 |
| 203 | F | Home Affairs | Dance Music | Lime Country | Archibald/W. Johnson | $700,000 |
Notable: Three I Am Invincible progeny in the top 5. Home Affairs cracks the top 10 in his first crop.
Price Distribution
| Bracket | Sold | Total | % of Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1M+ | 3 | $4,250,000 | 10.3% |
| $500K-$999K | 16 | $10,625,000 | 25.7% |
| $300K-$499K | 30 | $11,030,000 | 26.7% |
| $200K-$299K | 30 | $7,095,000 | 17.2% |
| $100K-$199K | 53 | $7,390,000 | 17.9% |
| Under $100K | 13 | $895,000 | 2.2% |
The middle market ($200K-$500K) remains the engine room, accounting for 43.9% of turnover from 60 lots.
Colts vs Fillies
| Sex | Sold | Aggregate | Average | Top Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 78 | $22,155,000 | $284,038 | $1,200,000 |
| Fillies | 67 | $19,130,000 | $285,522 | $2,000,000 |
Remarkably even split. Fillies slightly ahead on average, boosted by the $2M Frankel topper.
Leading Sires by Aggregate
| Sire | Offered | Sold | Psd | Clearance | Aggregate | Average | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Am Invincible | 9 | 8 | 1 | 89% | $5,050,000 | $631,250 | $1,050,000 |
| Snitzel | 7 | 6 | 1 | 86% | $3,230,000 | $538,333 | $825,000 |
| Home Affairs ★★ | 12 | 11 | 1 | 92% | $2,955,000 | $268,636 | $700,000 |
| Frankel | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% | $2,300,000 | $1,150,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Justify | 7 | 6 | 1 | 86% | $2,195,000 | $365,833 | $750,000 |
| Anamoe ★ | 6 | 6 | 0 | 100% | $2,095,000 | $349,167 | $525,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% | $1,630,000 | $815,000 | $1,200,000 |
| Jacquinot ★ | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83% | $1,560,000 | $312,000 | $425,000 |
| Zoustar | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75% | $1,495,000 | $498,333 | $825,000 |
| Ole Kirk | 4 | 4 | 0 | 100% | $1,270,000 | $317,500 | $550,000 |
★ = First-crop sire (2023 to stud) | ★★ = Second-crop sire (2022 to stud)
I Am Invincible remains king — $5M+ aggregate and $631K average. Remarkable depth across all price points.
First-Crop Sires (2023 to Stud)
The freshmen made a huge impression on Day 1:
| Sire | Offered | Sold | P/I | Clearance | Aggregate | Average | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anamoe | 6 | 6 | 0 | 100% | $2,095,000 | $349,167 | $525,000 |
| Jacquinot | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83% | $1,560,000 | $312,000 | $425,000 |
| Hitotsu | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75% | $345,000 | $115,000 | $200,000 |
| Profondo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% | $150,000 | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| Paulele | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% | $80,000 | $80,000 | $80,000 |
| TOTAL | 18 | 16 | 2 | 89% | $4,230,000 | $264,375 | — |
First-Crop Insights
Anamoe (Darley, $110K): Perfect clearance. Six from six at $349K average — the highest average of any first-cropper with multiple sales. His colts ($414K) significantly outperformed fillies ($220K). Early signs suggest he's throwing types that appeal to the prestige end of the market.
Jacquinot (Widden, $38.5K): Strong start from the Royal Ascot winner. Five from six at $312K average, with colts ($340K) preferred over fillies ($200K). The $425K colt topped his Day 1 offerings.
Hitotsu (Arrowfield, $33K): Quieter start with 3 from 4 at $115K average. Still early days but may need to find his level.
Profondo (Windsor Park NZ, $30K): One offered, one sold at $150K. Small sample but a clean start for the Anamoe's Group 1-winning half-brother.
Paulele (Darley Vic, $22K): One sold at $80K.
Second-Crop Sire Spotlight: Home Affairs
| Sire | Offered | Sold | P/I | Clearance | Aggregate | Average | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Affairs | 12 | 11 | 1 | 92% | $2,955,000 | $268,636 | $700,000 |
Home Affairs (Coolmore, $77K, 2022 to stud): In his second yearling crop, the Lightning Stakes winner delivered an emphatic session — third on the aggregate sire table behind only I Am Invincible and Snitzel. 11 from 12 offered (92% clearance) at $268K average, with his $700K filly cracking the top 10. Fillies ($273K avg) marginally ahead of colts ($263K avg). Clearly stamping his stock with commercial appeal and building on a strong debut crop.
Leading Vendors
| Vendor | Offered | Sold | P/I | Clearance | Aggregate | Average | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segenhoe Stud | 10 | 9 | 1 | 90% | $5,540,000 | $615,556 | $2,000,000 |
| Silverdale Farm | 7 | 7 | 0 | 100% | $3,080,000 | $440,000 | $950,000 |
| Coolmore Stud | 8 | 8 | 0 | 100% | $2,835,000 | $354,375 | $1,050,000 |
| Yulong | 12 | 8 | 4 | 67% | $2,500,000 | $312,500 | $500,000 |
| Widden Stud | 10 | 8 | 2 | 80% | $2,425,000 | $303,125 | $425,000 |
| Newgate Farm | 8 | 8 | 0 | 100% | $2,055,000 | $256,875 | $525,000 |
| Sledmere Stud | 12 | 9 | 3 | 75% | $1,975,000 | $219,444 | $725,000 |
| Lime Country | 6 | 6 | 0 | 100% | $1,875,000 | $312,500 | $650,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud | 9 | 7 | 2 | 78% | $1,420,000 | $202,857 | $460,000 |
| Emirates Park | 5 | 4 | 1 | 80% | $1,415,000 | $353,750 | $875,000 |
Vendor Analysis
Segenhoe Stud dominated Day 1 with the sale-topping Frankel filly. Their 9 sold averaged $615K — nearly double the session average. Sire roster included Frankel, Snitzel, Home Affairs (2), I Am Invincible, Justify, Satono Aladdin, Zoustar, and Anamoe.
Silverdale Farm achieved a perfect clearance at an exceptional $440K average, topped by the $950K I Am Invincible colt.
Coolmore Stud also went 8 for 8, showcasing their depth with yearlings by I Am Invincible, Justify, Home Affairs, and others.
100% Clearance Club: Silverdale, Coolmore, Newgate, Lime Country, Vinery, Torryburn, Yarraman Park, Glenlogan Park
Rosemont Stud had a tough day — 0 from 3 offered.
Leading Buyers
| Buyer | Bought | Spend | Average | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ciaron Maher (all entities) | 12 | $5,350,000 | $445,833 | $100K-$950K |
| Maher/David Redvers | 5 | $2,900,000 | $580,000 | $200K-$950K |
| Waller Racing/Mulcaster | 5 | $2,470,000 | $494,000 | $240K-$1.2M |
| Tom Magnier | 2 | $2,400,000 | $1,200,000 | $400K-$2M |
| Harron/Tony Fung Colts | 4 | $1,975,000 | $493,750 | $200K-$825K |
| Archibald/William Johnson | 4 | $1,925,000 | $481,250 | $320K-$700K |
| David Ellis/Te Akau | 5 | $1,805,000 | $361,000 | $120K-$500K |
| Waterhouse & Bott/Kestrel | 5 | $1,740,000 | $348,000 | $150K-$750K |
| PR Thoroughbreds | 3 | $1,550,000 | $516,667 | $250K-$875K |
| China Horse Club/Newgate | 2 | $1,325,000 | $662,500 | $600K-$725K |
Buyer Patterns & Strategy
Ciaron Maher Bloodstock (combined with David Redvers & other partnerships) was the dominant force — 12 yearlings for $5.35M. The Maher/Redvers partnership specifically targeted proven sires: I Am Invincible ($950K), Zoustar ($825K), Written Tycoon ($500K), plus first-cropper Jacquinot ($425K). All colts.
Chris Waller showed faith in first-crop sires — bought the $1.2M Extreme Choice colt (sale second top lot) plus yearlings by Anamoe, Home Affairs, Zoustar, and Bivouac. A mix of colts and fillies.
Tom Magnier played sniper — only two purchases but they included the $2M sale topper (Frankel filly) plus a $400K Justify colt.
David Ellis/Te Akau demonstrated trademark Kiwi precision with a Snitzel-heavy portfolio: three Snitzel fillies at $500K, $460K, and $325K.
Gai Waterhouse bought with filly focus — 4 of her 5 purchases were fillies, including $750K Justify and $350K Hellbent.
James Harron/Tony Fung Colts — true to their name, all four purchases were colts (Snitzel, Ole Kirk, The Autumn Sun, Bivouac).
Key Themes & Observations
1. Quality Over Quantity
The 78% clearance rate (vs 85% in 2025) masks the real story — buyers paid 12% more on average when they did bid. The market is increasingly polarised between must-have lots and the rest.
2. First-Crop Sires Deliver
Anamoe and Jacquinot led the 2023-to-stud freshman class, combining for $3.65M from 11 sold at 92% clearance. Add in second-crop sire Home Affairs ($2.96M) and the young sire brigade accounted for ~17% of Day 1 turnover.
3. I Am Invincible Still Supreme
Nine years since his first Magic Millions crop and he's still the leading sire by aggregate ($5.05M) with 3 of the top 5 lots. His average of $631K is more than double the session average.
4. International Sires in Demand
Frankel ($2.3M from 2), Justify ($2.2M from 6), Too Darn Hot ($725K), Baaeed ($300K) — global bloodlines continue to attract premium prices. The $2M Frankel filly signals the market's appetite for proven European sire power.
5. Trainer-Driven Market
The top buyers are predominantly trainer-led or trainer-affiliated operations. Maher, Waller, Waterhouse, and Freedman stables directly purchased ~40% of turnover.
6. Segenhoe Sets the Standard
$5.54M turnover at $615K average — that's vendor dominance. Their investment in elite mares and access to top-tier shuttle sires continues to pay dividends.
What to Watch — Days Ahead
- Can Anamoe stay perfect on clearance?
- Will Home Affairs maintain his second-crop momentum?
- How deep is the I Am Invincible demand?
- Can Yulong improve on Day 1's 67% clearance?
- Will the middle market ($150K-$300K) tighten or hold?
Report compiled from Magic Millions 2026 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Day 1 results (Lots 1-210)
Data source: G1 Goldmine / Stallion Match