The Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale will be held for the first time at Quercus Park at Carrick on Monday and the draft assembled could set new records.
For those unfamiliar with Quercus Park, it is the venue for Agfest, considered one of the best agricultural four-day shows in the Southern hemisphere.
The Tasmanian sale has continued to produce star sprinters and stayers and this season is no exception.
Glenn Stevenson’s Turk Warrior has dominated two-year-old ranks as he is unbeaten from three starts including the $100,000 Elwick Stakes and $150,000 Gold Sovereign, while three-year-old Swoop Dog from the John Blacker stable won two $100,000 stakes races before finishing a gallant third in the Tasmanian Derby.
Ever since The Cleaner, a $10,000 purchase at the 2009 Tasmanian Magic Millions sale, took his trainer, the late Mick Burles, on a ride of a lifetime that led to two appearances in the Cox Plate, the Tasmanian sale has been a must attend for locals and interstate trainers and owners alike.
Inaugural $5 million All-Star Mile winner Mystic Journey, from the Adam Trinder stable, sold for only $11,000 at the 2017 sale and she has gone on to amass just under $4 million in prizemoney.
And Still a Star, purchased for only $13,000 at the 2018 sale, has so far won about $370,000 in stakes from her seven wins and five placings from only a dozen starts and she could be Tasmania’s next entrant in the All-Star Mile.
The move from the Inveresk sale yards to Quercus Park has been intense but organisers say the venue is ready and waiting and that it will further enhance the image of the sale.
One youngster sure to attract plenty of interest Lot 106, a half-brother to this season’s star two-year-old Turk Warrior (main picture).
The son of Zululand-Ehor was the centre of attention at a recent open day at Grenville Stud and spirited bidding is expected for this striking bay colt.
Armidale Stud has another top draft with a filly (Lot 89) by Alpine Eagle from Burnished that is expected to easily reach her reserve and a colt (Lot 104 by Impending from Dream Food) also is expected to attract strong bidding.
Yearlings can be inspected from Friday at noon and each day leading up to the sale on Monday, 22 February.
The 2021 Tasmanian magic Millions Yearling Sale catalogue is available online.