This year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale has been full of excitement, with the all-time record price smashed twice in just two days.
A Home Affairs filly from former superstar racemare Sunlight went under the hammer for a whopping $3.2 million late in the Howden Super Session on Friday night.
The Filly eclipsed the all-time Gold Coast Yearling Sale record price of $2.8 million set only the day prior by the Snitzel colt from Humma Humma.
Japanese trainer Mitsu Nakauchida was the lucky bidder and said he was “delighted to have secured the filly”.
“Mainly I came here for this filly and I just arrived yesterday,” Nakauchida said.
“Physically she is good and you cannot fault the pedigree. I’m very happy.”
“I expected to pay a high price and it is a little bit more than the budget but I hope the filly is worth it.”
The leading Japanese trainer has tasted great success with Australian bloodlines over recent years and is hoping the Sunlight filly continues this trend.
“She will go back to Japan and train with me. Hopefully she will make a nice racehorse”.
“I’ve been lucky to have had success with Australian mares. I have Liberty Island out of Yankee Rose. I have another very good three-year-old called Eri King out of Youngstar.”
“So Australian mares do quite well in Japan at the moment. They go well with Japanese stallions.”
“We will give her all the time she wants and hopefully she has the chance to mature herself in time,” Nakauchida added.
It comes as heavy rain forced Saturday’s Magic Millions Raceday to be rescheduled after managing to get through just three races.
The final seven races, including the main $3m Two Year Old Classic and $3m Three Year old Guineas, will now be held at a twilight meet at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Friday.
Final details are expected to be hashed out at a meeting today, however, it’s been confirmed general admission entry will be free.
“The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday is an iconic national event and will shine brightest on the national stage under lights on Friday,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said when making the announcement.
“The safety of our animals and participants is paramount, and unfortunately a heavy downpour following the third race has left the track unsuitable for racing”.