Global Weekly Review: Women-only syndicate back in with another Millions hopeful

There is so much about Queensland’s hugely successful Magic Millions week that typifies racing in Australia.

The glitzy, glamorous promotion, the high quality of horseflesh and the opportunity for intense competition, both on the track and in the sales ring, all combine to make this one of the very best global racing experiences.

Throw in the spectacular beaches, hot weather, plus wonderful food, and you can understand why this week in early January is a fixture that so many internationals regard as unmissable.

Godolphin took the opportunity to get involved in this year’s sale and ended the main sessions with a total of eight yearlings, purchased for A$2,995,000, at an average of A$374,375.

With any luck in the next 12 months, this mini shopping spree should bear fruit, ensuring trainer James Cummings returns to the Gold Coast with a chance of saddling contenders in the featured MM Two-year-old Classic, over 1,200m.

If next year’s renewal generates the same excitement as last Saturday’s race, then it will be one of the best of the season.

Sunlight, a daughter of Zoustar, lived up to her reputation by emerging from the pack in the home straight and racing away to win well.

Sunlight, incidentally, is owned by an all-female syndicate, put together by Katie Thompson, wife of Widden Park’s Anthony Thompson.

They will enjoy sharing a special bonus that comes with victory for one of the all-women partnerships, now a feature of this sale. A total of A$500,000 was shared among the first four horses owned by women-only groups.

Possibly in a bold display of confidence, the same syndicate purchased a sister to Sunlight for A$600,000 prior to the race.  Now, that’s called foresight.