For first time visitors and those completely new to racing and breeding, Magic Millions offers a dazzling entry into a unique world populated with fascinating characters from all walks of life.
The best thoroughbreds in the country inspire us mere mortals to dream big and for the uninitiated we've put together a beginner's guide with all you need to know to pass muster at Australia's premier equine event.
A uction is how these horses are sold. Raise your hand, place your bid. Highest bid wins!
B id Spotter. He's the guy or gal taking your bid. It can be fast and furious, so commit to the cause and stick with your choice, but if you meet your match and come up short, do not despair – horses are like taxis, there is always another one coming.
C olts are young male thoroughbreds from the age of foaling until they turn four and become known as stallions or entires. If you buy one of these, chances are you will soon need to know about gelding, so see G.
D am is the mother of a horse and 'sire' is the father. In theory a mix of these two parents is what should be in the resulting yearling. It would be nice to think that two plus two equals four, but in thoroughbreds that's not always the case.
E xperts abound at yearling sales and everyone has an opinion. Bloodstock agents from all over the world converge with the common goal of finding the fast horses. Some appear to be better at it than others!
F astnet Rock, Redoute's Choice, Snitzel, Not a Single Doubt, More Than Ready (USA), I Am Invincible, Sebring, Choisir, Lonhro, Written Tycoon, Hinchinbrook, Exceed and Excel,… these are all outstanding sires whose progeny will be on offer.
G elding can be a noun or a verb in the horse world. The unruly colt is frequently gelded (castrated) and goes forward as a 'gelding', quite often to better racing success than he would have achieved as a mischievous colt. Kingston Town famously ran an appalling last on debut as a colt before being gelded and going on to become the best horse in the country.
H ot weather. Packing for a visit to the Gold Coast in January is easy, it's always hot and humid. Bring your swimmers and a sun hat!
I nsurance is something you will need if you buy a yearling. These are flighty young creatures not known for putting thought before action, so better to be safe than sorry.
J eep are the current sponsors for Magic Millions which has become a global event taking in a stellar race day, a whirl of varied social engagements, an actual yearling sale and now in 2017 we can add polo!
K olivos – Greg and Donna have experienced one of the ultimate Magic Millions dreams as owners of Champion 2YO Colt Pierro, purchased for them for $230,000 at the 2011 Magic Millions by legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse.
An unbeaten Golden Slipper and Triple Crown winner, Pierro retired with $4.5 million in earnings and was subsequently sold for a squillion to global breeding giant Coolmore with his first two year-olds racing this season.
L uck is needed at the Magic Millions barrier draw held on the beach in the heart of Surfer's Paradise - this is where the surf quite literally meets the turf. An event not to be missed!
M agic Millions raceday at the Gold Coast is worth $10 million and features events for horses of all ages over all distances.
N icks and clicks – a particular affinity between two sires - are something the pedigree gurus will be spruiking, so if you wish to sound knowledgeable throw in a positive comment on Fastnet Rock / Galileo, Redoute's Choice / Last Tycoon or Choisir / Encosta de Lago and you too will sound like a pedigree expert!
O wning a racehorse can be a life changing experience akin to winning the lottery, but way more fun and with a far greater chance of actually winning! See K to see how it is done!
P edigree page is what every yearling has and what you want to see there is the BIG BOLD BLACK TYPE , which denotes stakes-winners. These are the superior performers that come from the same family as this yearling.
Q uestion, what is BOBS? BOBS and similar logos on the pedigree pages such as Super VOBIS and QTIS are incentive schemes that this yearling is eligible for. As an owner it means extra cash in your pocket when this horse starts winning!
R eserve price is what the vendor wants for his horse and passed in is what happens when the market thinks otherwise.
S coping is a veterinary procedure your yearling will have done following his purchase to check his airways and make sure his breathing is all that it should be. If a horse can't breathe, he won't be running very far.
T rainer is the person you need to find after you have purchased a yearling. He or she is the one who is going to mould your baby into a racetrack star. There are so many good trainers in Australia you are spoiled for choice, but if you've bought a nice horse… chances are the trainer will find you!
U nder-bidder. He's the guy that missed out. Everybody that has ever attended a horse sale has an under-bidder story to tell. They either know one, were one or ultimately wish they had been one!
V in Cox is the Managing Director at Magic Millions and while others create 'Magic Millions the event', Vin creates the actual yearling catalogue and it's a cracker!
W inx is the best horse in the country - two Cox Plates and over $9 million in earnings - and she was bought right here on the Gold Coast in 2013 for $230,000.
X - rays are something presented with each yearling to prove it does in fact have four good legs if you were in any doubt.
Y es is what you say when someone offers you a share in a yearling. You do not want to return here in years to come with a sorry tale of would've, could've, should've.
Z oustar has written a chapter of Magic Millions success, having been bought here as a yearling in 2012 for $140,000 before going on to win six of nine starts and $1.4 million with Group I wins in the Golden Rose and Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Retired to Widden Stud in a multi-million dollar stud deal, Zoustar is set to star in 2017 with his first stunning crop of yearlings.
