Tuesday, 11 September 2012: Tasracing, Magic Millions and TasBreeders have signed a new three-year agreement to conduct the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
The deal will also see a change to eligibility conditions for the Magic Millions race series, opening up the 2YO race in 2013 to all Magic Millions’ yearling sales graduates and 3YOs in 2014, subject to payment of a late entry fee.
This change should generate greater interest in the races, especially for Tasmanian owners who have purchased horses at interstate Magic Millions sales.
Tasracing chief executive officer Eliot Forbes said the three-year deal reaffirmed Magic Millions’ confidence in the Tasmanian bloodstock industry.
“The yearling sales held earlier this year delivered a record clearance rate of nearly 80 per cent and solid returns to breeders at a time when the national yearling market was experiencing volatile conditions,” he said.
“The yearling sale is an important market for our breeders to connect with potential local and interstate purchasers, so we are very pleased that Australia’s premier horse sales company has committed to Tasmania for a further three years.”
Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox said he was very pleased to “sign up” to conduct a Tasmanian sale with the support of Tasmanian breeders.
“Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the Tasmanian sale competes well alongside every mainland state,” he said.
“Tasmanian breeders are very passionate about their industry.
“We enjoy getting down to Tasmania for the sale. It’s a great sale to run. The enthusiasm really rubs off on vendors and buyers.”
TasBreeders president Robert Eastoe said the three-year deal would provide the breeding industry with certainty.
“We will be working very hard alongside Magic Millions and Tasracing to promote the Tasmanian-bred yearlings to traditional interstate buyers,” he said.
“TasBreeders’ members have invested a lot of time and work into upgrading mares and importing high quality stallions.
“The ongoing support of Magic Millions is certainly very important for the local breeding industry.”
The sale is scheduled for Inveresk on 14 February.
The $50,000 Shaw Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) for 2012 purchases and the $50,000 TasBreeders Magic Millions 3YO Classic (1200m) for 2011 purchases will be run at Mowbray on 13 February on the eve of the sale.
