The 2025 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale concluded on Tuesday with solid results despite a challenging market. Harry Angel emerged as the standout sire on Day 2, highlighted by a colt that sold for A$525,000, while Extreme Choice continued his strong commercial run, siring three of the top five lots overall.
In total, 21 yearlings sold for A$100,000 or more, up from 17 in 2024, underscoring strong buyer demand at the top end of the market. But it was the Harry Angel colt that sent reverberations through the sale ring when selling for A$525,000 to leading Hong Kong trainer Manfred Man.
Alma Vale Thoroughbreds offered the colt on behalf of Temerity Park, who had purchased him for just $1,500 as a weanling from Sledmere Stud's draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. The return marked an incredible profit of 350 times the original purchase price.
Alma Vale Thoroughbreds' Stud Manager, Oscar Engelbrecht, was understandably slightly shocked, but thrilled after the sale.
“The result is incredible, that is what dreams are made of, it really is life-changing for the owners, Temerity Park,” Engelbrecht said.
“It's good to finish the year on such a high note. We've (Alma Vale) had a very good year, and huge credit has to go to everyone involved. It takes a lot of work to get these results, not just from the team at the sales, but everyone back home as well. We're absolutely rapt, and very happy to get the result for such good people.”
Engelbrecht praised the professionalism of the colt, the form of his sire, and noted the strong interest in inspection during the week.
“Harry Angel is doing a really good job, and this colt was so professional throughout the week, the underbidder looked at him seven times. The beauty of live auction action was on full display, when two people want the horse, they're willing to pay for it.”
Reflecting on the incredible financial turnaround, Engelbrecht added, “A $1,500 weanling into a $525,000 yearling – it could quite possibly be one of the best pinhooks ever. When the stars align, it can go really well. It's a huge team effort, and we have a great team that works extremely hard.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
