$4.2million for Sunlight Sets Gold Coast Record

Magic Millions set a new record in the Gold Coast sale ring on Monday afternoon when champion mare Sunlight was sold for $4.2million to the bid of Coolmore’s Tom Magnier to become the highest priced horse ever sold in Queensland.

Sunlight is the second highest priced race filly or broodmare ever sold in Australia at public auction, behind only Milanova, who sold for $5million at the Inglis Broodmare Sale in 2008 and ahead of Champion 3YO Filly Samantha Miss, who made $3.85 million at the Inglis Broodmare Sale in 2009.

Coolmore have confirmed Sunlight will be covered by their Triple Crown winner Justify.

“She’s the filly of a generation and she will head to the horse of a generation from the North. We really wanted her and got her!” said Tom Magnier.

The $6.5million earning triple Group I winner was offered by Widden Stud, who bred the superstar daughter of Zoustar in partnership and sold her as a yearling at the Gold Coast for $300,000.

Trained by Tony McEvoy, she raced for an all women’s syndicate that included Widden Stud’s Katie Thompson and won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2018, before going on to a stellar career that featured three Group I wins including the VRC Newmarket Handicap and VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes.

“What do you say? A real life-changing mare for everyone involved,” Antony Thompson told ANZ Bloodstock News .

“She has been so special for everyone associated with her and it’s great to see her go to Coolmore, which is such a magnificent farm and a great home and I’m sure they will do very, very well with a mare like that for a long time.

“We would have loved to have taken her home and I am sure everyone that has been associated with her would love to buy the foals out of her and we will follow her second career closely.

“But it is a credit to Coolmore they have made a point of buying the best mares, not just in Australia, but around the world recently, and she is a great addition to any farm. Coolmore’s commitment to Justify is well known and it’s been very evident in the quality of mares they have bought for him and have continued to buy for him.

“She put Zoustar on the map and kicked off his career and she is just a great advertisement for an amazing young stallion and we will always be grateful to her for that.”