3 minute read

Zoustar mare off to Japan following Magic Millions sale.

Denise Martin and a group of her Star Thoroughbreds owners are celebrating a seven-figure result after Group 2-winning Zoustar mare Kiku sold for $1,460,000 on Thursday.

The six-year-old breeding prospect was the lone subject of a Magic Millions digital sale and is off to Japan after being bought by Northern Farm's Katsumi Yoshida.

"I'm thrilled that Mr Yoshida was able to buy her. It is a wonderful result for everyone. I couldn't be more thrilled to see Kiku going to such a prestigious operation," Martin said.

"On behalf of the ownership group I must thank those involved from Jon Freyer to Mr Yoshida the price was really wonderful.

"It was very much worth the wait."

Technical difficulties on the Magic Millions online platform resulted in the sale being slightly delayed before long-time Magic Millions auctioneer David Chester stepped in to auction the mare with the affected parties all afforded the opportunity to bid either online or via telephone.

Kiku, who was a $300,000 purchase at the 2019 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, was retired after 30 starts, which generated six wins and 11 minor placings and $1.24m in stakes.

Her biggest win came in last year's Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes, while she also won a Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes at Randwick and was twice placed in the $1 million Fillies & Mares sprint at the Magic Millions January feature raceday.