The record for the highest-priced yearling sold at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale was broken again on Friday, just a day after it had been set. A filly out of Sunlight stole the show during Friday’s ‘super session,’ fetching a staggering $3.2 million.
The daughter of Home Affairs was purchased by Japanese trainer Mitsu Nakauchida, surpassing the previous high mark set on Thursday by a Snitzel colt out of Humma Humma, which sold for $2.8 million.
Magic Millions Yearling Sales Record! Watch as the moment the Home Affairs x Sunlight filly sells for $3.2 million!
pic.twitter.com/Nis3nqmmFL — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 10, 2025
Nakauchida, who was on-site for the bidding, expressed his excitement at securing the prized filly for his stable, which already boasts high-profile names like Cox Plate runner-up Prognosis and Liberty Island, a daughter of Yankee Rose.
“Mainly I came here for this filly, and I just arrived yesterday. I was just lucky to secure the filly,” 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. She will go back to Japan and be trained with me. Hopefully, she will make a nice racehorse. We will give her all the time she wants and hopefully she has the chance to mature herself in time.”
This record-breaking purchase highlights the continued appeal of Sunlight’s bloodlines. Sunlight, a three-time Group 1-winning daughter of Zoustar, has established herself as Australian bloodstock royalty. Her first foal, a colt by Justify named Dawn Service, sold for $1.4 million in 2023.
Only three yearlings have ever sold for more in Australia, including Winx’s first foal for $10 million, a $5 million half-brother to Black Caviar, and a $4 million Fastnet Rock colt from Inglis Easter.
The $3.2 million sale is also a monumental achievement for Home Affairs, smashing the record for the highest-priced product of a first-season sire.
Tom Magnier of Coolmore, where both Home Affairs and Sunlight stand, celebrated the historic result.
“Home Affairs, it is great for him, but we can’t do this without our partners. We’re so excited,” Magnier said.
“I think that is the best foal that the mare has had, it has been a cracker since day one.”
Friday’s session also saw another standout sale, with a Snitzel filly out of Sweet Sherry fetching $1.6 million. Purchased by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in partnership with Kestrel Thoroughbreds and Resolute Bloodstock, the filly became one of the top lots of the day.
These high-profile sales helped the event reach a gross of $205,470,000 with an average yearling price of $272,507, a slight dip compared to last year’s $275,675 average but still impressive. The clearance rate stood at 81.5%, with a median price of $200,000.