What Price Sunlight?

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday June 16

In 2017, a Zoustar filly from Solar Charged went through the Gold Coast sale ring at Magic Millions in January fetching $300,000 for Widden Stud – she will return in July at the National Broodmare Sale as Champion 3YO Filly 2018/2019 Sunlight and she’ll be making a lot more than $300,000
 



A triple Group I winner of $6.5million, Sunlight won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic before training on to be the best three year-old sprinter in the country beating the colts to win the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes and then the older sprinters to win the Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap at MVRC William Reid Stakes.

She has pedigree, type, elite performance and also a double cross of Danehill 4 x 3 that will make planning a great mating for her an interesting exercise.

Sunlight wins the Newmarket - image Grant Courtney

Last year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale was topped by brilliant Fastnet Rock sprinter Missrock, who was bought off the track for $2.3million by UK based agents John and Jake Warren to be sent to stud in Europe.

Sunlight has a similar profile in being a fast, good looking, precocious sprinter with Danehill blood, however her race record is light years above Missrock, so if European investors have their interest piqued by our superstar filly they are going to need very deep pockets to take her home.

Below is the list of highest priced mares sold at public auction in Australia.

 

Horse

SaleYear

SaleCompany

Buyer

Price

Milanova

2008

Inglis

Coolmore Australia NSW

5000000

Samantha Miss

2009

Inglis

Magic Millions Sales Pty Ltd a

3850000

Listen Here

2016

MM

China Horse Club/Bruce Perry Bloodstock

3400000

Virage de Fortune

2007

Inglis

Darley Australia NSW

3400000

Princess Coup

2009

MM

E THOROUGHBRED PTY LTD

3000000

Divine Madonna

2008

MM

DARLEY AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

2700000

Jameka

2018

Advertisement

MM

Halo Racing Services Pty Ltd

2600000

She Will be Loved

2008

MM

DEBORAH HO

2400000

Missrock

2019

MM

John & Jake Warren

2300000

Monsoon Wedding

2014

MM

Coolmore Stud

2300000

Maastricht

2019

Inglis

Coolmore/ James Bester Bloodstock

2250000

Courgette

2018

MM

E Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd

2100000

In Her Time

2020

Inglis

Newgate Bloodstock

2000000

Srikandi

2019

Inglis

Tom Magnier

2000000

Sun Classique

2010

Inglis

Patinack Farm Pty Ltd

2000000

Personify

2008

Inglis

Kieran Moore Bloodstock

2000000

Lucida

2008

Inglis

Freyer Bloodstock NSW

2000000

Bounding

2016

MM

Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings

1900000

The Broken Shore

2014

MM

Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock

1900000

Samaready

2020

Inglis

Tom Magnier

1800000

Erato

2019

MM

Yu Long Investments (Australia) Pty Ltd

1750000

Gregers

2017

MM

Riyue Trading Pty Ltd

1750000

Norzita

2019

Inglis

Freyer Bloodstock (FBAA)

1700000

Diademe

2018

MM

China Horse Club

1700000

Omei Sword

2018

MM

Dean Hawthorne Bstock (BAFNZ)/Freyer Bstock

1700000

Nurse Kitchen

2017

MM

China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd

1700000

Melito

2012

MM

Tom Magnier

1650000

Booker

2020

Inglis

Tom Magnier

1600000

Lipari

2019

MM

Baramul Stud

1600000

Heatherly

2018

MM

Go Bloodstock Australia/Paul Moroney Bstock

1600000

Polska

2017

MM

Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock

1600000

Sweet Idea

2015

MM

Nick Vass Bloodstock

1600000

Shindig

2008

Inglis

William Inglis As Agent NSW

1600000

Valourina

2008

Inglis

Neil Bowden Global Bloodstock

1600000



For the lucky purchaser of Sunlight, the next decision will be choosing a partner befitting a ‘true queen’ and in my eyes, if she stays in Australia, that’s Pierro.

Completely free of Danehill blood, Pierro is a versatile sire that gives a toughness and competitive nature to his progeny as well as some distance scope with most capable of running a mile or more.

Sunlight has all the speed and class in the world, but has never won beyond 1200m, so wouldn’t it be great to see a baby Sunlight stretch a little further.

Genetically the mating holds plenty of appeal.

Pierro loves Redoute’s Choice blood which she has through Zoustar and his sire Lonhro has always loved some Bletchingly blood and she has not one, but two lines of that, so happy days!

Also of note, the presence of Sadler’s Wells in the top half of the pedigree and his full brother Fairy King in the bottom giving a 5 x 6 double cross of blue hen Fairy Bridge.

All of that aside, at the end of the day you are looking at a theoretical mating between two very sound and talented individuals… fingers crossed they may produce same!

 
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.