Widden Stud ‘super filly’ breaks record on day two of Magic Millions Yearling Sale on Gold Coast

A rising two-year-old “super filly” has set a new thoroughbred yearling record, selling for $2.6 million at the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast.  

Vendors Widden Stud, from the NSW Hunter Valley, are “over the moon”.

“It’s a real thrill; the team has worked so hard,” Widden owner Antony Thompson said.

Bidding opened at $1 million and saw fierce competition, both in person and online.

It quickly surpassed the former record for the Magic Millions Yearling Sale of $2.2 million, set in 2008 by two colts.

“It’s a rollercoaster … you’re never exactly sure what’s going to transpire in an auction but to see the competition right around the ring from the major global players in the industry on that filly makes us very proud.”

There was much anticipation in the lead-up to the sale of the filly, simply named lot 399, after her full brother sold for $3 million in 2022.

“We thought this filly was every bit as good,” Mr Thompson said.

She’s also the full sister to three-time Group One-winning mare, Sunlight, which holds the national broodmare record after selling for $4.2 million in 2020.

“We were thinking she might make $1.5 million or $2 million, but to see her make $2.6 in a wonderful bidding duel was really exciting,” Mr Thompson said.

Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said the purchase by Yulong Investments, based in Victoria, showed great confidence so early in the sale.

“It was a sensational start to the week … great theatre late in the day,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic result for the industry … it’d be a tough [price] to beat.”

The Magic Millions Yearling Sale last year grossed more than $242 million, becoming the highest-grossing sale in the southern hemisphere.

Almost 1,280 horses will be auctioned as part of this year’s sale, which ends on Monday, January 16.