The Gold Coast in January is a magic place - an exciting mix of Riviera glamour and Las Vegas glitz blended with the unique style and flavour of an Australian summer. They flock to the strip that is world famous as Australia's holiday playground, drawn by the sun and the surf, the vast array of attractions and the entertainment and accommodation options that cater for every taste and budget. And if you're into thoroughbreds and racing..... well of course you come to Magic Millions.

In real estate the creed for a successful property is location, location, location. This same philosophy is the key to why the Magic Millions Yearling Sales and Races have become such an attraction to such a wide spectrum of the international thoroughbred world.
The concept of Magic Millions, with its associated series of $1 million races, may be its greatest promotional tool but it is the Gold Coast - and all that goes with it - that has made the January Sale such an unqualified success.

Racing figures of such international standing as Bart Cummings, Gai Waterhouse, Lee Freedman, Graeme Rodgerson, and Gary Moore sing the praises of the Magic Millions for many varied reasons - but all are unanimous that there is no place in the world quite like the Gold Coast in high summer. Together they rate the Magic Millions as a world class event, proving a catalogue of select, precocious thoroughbreds of the highest quality that can stand comparison to any other Australian or Northern Hemisphere sale.

Bart Cummings

Magic Millions' appeal is perhaps best summed up by Bart Cummings, the legendary trainer being one of the Magic Millions greatest fans since its inception in 1986.
"The concept of the Magic Millions Sale and associated Races is excellent - it produces great expectancy", Cummings said.

"The quality of the yearlings on offer has a flow-on effect - the better the class of the horses sold ultimately translates to the class of races they will win."

"The Magic Millions has a lot of other factors going for it - the magnificent weather at that time of year, the holiday atmosphere and the attractions are a great lure for interstate and overseas buyers."

"It makes the Sale a truly international event."

Cummings tasted early Magic Millions race success when he landed the quinella in the 1999 fillies division with Malibu Magic and Tristanagh. The latter went on to be one of the Magic Millions best advertisement as the grey by Champion sire Sir Tristram became the best of her sex at three when she won the VRC Oaks and VATC Thousand Guineas, retiring with prizemoney of almost $900,000.

Other Magic Millions products Cummings has prepared for Gr1 success include Stylish Century and Solar Circle, perhaps explaining why he has been an avid "shopper" at the January sale.

In the last five years Cummings has taken home more than 30 yearlings from the January Sale, including such good winners as Morphy, King Midas, Slav Defence and Sozin Attack. He has snared the top lot of the sale for the last two years - the Danehill - Sky Watch colt that races as Anchiamo cost $475,000 in 1998 and the Zabeel - Pappa's Beauty colt went for the same amount in 1999.

At the same time, Cummings has also brought Magic Millions yearlings for as little as $10,000, proof that trainers of his standing are always on the lookout for the bargains to be found in the Gold Coast Sale ring.

Gai Waterhouse

Gai Waterhouse is one trainer who can boast a great record with Magic Millions products, her successes including Gr1 winners Nothin' Leica Dane and Magic Of Sydney, Danglissa, High Rolling, Brilliance, La Tache, Multimedia, Bound By Silence, Showzoff, Dancing Jester and Hebden.

"If I had to find two words to describe the Magic Millions they would be excitement and value", Waterhouse said."It has the most exciting atmosphere and I rate the Magic Millions as the best value sale in Australasia."

"I never have trouble coaxing my clients to attend because the Gold Coast in January is such a wonderful place - the timing of the sale is perfect for everybody."
"And the catalogue always offers such variety - it invariably produces a range of top class horses from precocious two-year-olds to those capable of winning Derbys and Melbourne Cups."

Graeme Rogerson

Graeme Rogerson is one trainer who has introduced many overseas clients to Australian racing through the Magic Millions.

In the early 1990's Rogerson was dabbling in the Magic Millions but in recent years he has been a constant fixture among the leading buyers. In 1998 he bought 10 yearlings and increased that number to 18 in 1999 for prices ranging from $10,000 up to $150,000.

"There isn't a sale venue to rival the Magic Millions anywhere in the world", Rogerson said.

"Holding the sale in January as great for everybody and the hospitality provided by the Magic Millions is enormous."

Rogerson's top sprinter Masked Party joined the list of Gr1 winners to come out of the Magic Millions when he beat a crack field in the 1999 Galaxy, the premiere sprint of the Randwick Autumn Carnival. Spend, runner-up in the 1998 Magic Millions and a subsequent stakeswinner, is another of Rogerson's successful buys.