Nine lots topped the seven-figure mark on the opening day of the sale

Since the retirement of Imperatriz was announced, the date was ringed in the calendar when she would go under the hammer at Magic Millions. Most expected her to break the 5 million record for the most expensive broodmare to ever be sold at the sales and she did not disappoint, smashing the record.  

6.6 million for Imperatriz at the Magic Millions 

A 10-time Group 1 winner going up for sale was always going to attract worldwide attention. The bidding for Imperatriz kicked off at 4 million, just a million shy of the all-time Australian record for the sales price of a broodmare and it went up quickly from there. 
 
The mare is the one that everyone wanted to take home from the sales but there were only a small number of potential suitors and it was the Zhijun Zhao-led operation who would eventually gain the upper hand in the bidding when they parted with 6.6 million. 
 
Yulong already has a huge number of choicely bred broodmares but the addition of Imperatriz is going to add another feather to a cap that is already studded with some of the finest mares in the world. It will be a while before we see her first offspring on the track in the now familiar green and white silks and the pressure of expectation will be huge when they do. 

Yulong invest further in the broodmare sales 

An invitation to Royal Ascot is unlikely to be taken up by Yulong when it comes to their 2.5 million purchase Chain Of Lightning. The T J Smith winner will remain in training for now with Peter Moody with targets in the spring more important than sending her to the breeding sheds.  
 
There was a third seven-figure buy for Yulong on the day as they picked up Life Lessons for a million dollars. Another inmate for the Peter Moody stable, she won a Flemington Group 2 in October before finishing third in the Group 1 Empire Rose at the same track the following month, a race won by Pride Of Jenni.  

Coolmore busy on day one with three big buys 

Coolmore matched Yulong with three purchases of their own that went past the million mark. Platinum Jubilee was the most expensive of those at 3.5 million. The half-sister to Lady Of Camelot has been a little disappointing this season but she has the lines to justify a big price. 
 
Madame Pommery made 2.7 million, one in a similar vein to Platinum Jubilee insomuch as she has been a little below par this season. She landed the 1000 Guineas at Caulfield in 2022 to pick up a Group 1 win which makes her all the more valuable as a broodmare. 
 
Coolmore also went to 1.4 million to secure Legacies, a Listed winner who was 4th in the Group 2 Queen of the South Stakes at Morphettville recently. She is by the Coolmore stallion Justify so it is interesting that they have invested in her. The potential is there for her to be a boost to their own bloodstock so who they choose for her first mating is going to be very interesting. 

Imperatriz was always going to be the star attraction on day one of the Magic Millions Broodmare Sales. Her purchase price set a new record for a broodmare in Australia but the brisk business elsewhere also bodes well for the future of the sport at the top level.