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Magic Millions January Sale | ADB Sale Recap
- AD Bloodstock
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
ADB marked another important milestone at the 2026 Magic Millions January Yearling Sale, securing my first yearling purchases under the ADB banner in partnership with the Malua Racing team.
In a competitive and buoyant sale, the average and clearance rates both climbed compared to the previous year. I was thrilled to secure some quality yearlings that represent excellent value relative to the depth of the market.
Lot 813: Bay Filly by Harry Angel out of Sister Sledge (Uncle Mo)
Vendor: Daandine Stud
Purchase Price: $140,000
Described as a "classy" filly with all the right physical attributes, I had her high on my shortlist from the moment I first saw her during the pre-Christmas on-farm inspections. I’m delighted to have secured her for a first-time private client, in partnership with Troy Corstens and Will Larkin of Malua Racing.
By an elite, proven speed sire in Australia and out of a stakes-performed 2yo filly, this filly embodies one of the most bankable formulas for early, commercial performers and future residual value.
Her sire is the high-class Darley shuttler Harry Angel (by Dark Angel), a World Champion Sprinter (Timeform 132). He has sired 20 stakes winners, including 16 Group winners and 3 at G1 level. Notable Australian performers include Tom Kitten, War Machine, Private Harry, Stretan Angel, and Arkansaw Kid. Following his success in Australia, his service fee was increased from $38,500 to $66,000 in 2024, suggesting the best is still yet to come for this hot young sire!
On the dam side, Sister Sledge (by Uncle Mo) displayed natural precocity herself, running 3rd in the G2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick as a 2yo behind subsequent Golden Slipper winner Estijaab. She’s by the emerging Broodmare Sire Uncle Mo, whose daughters have already produced multiple Grade 1 winners, including Champion 3yo filly Thorpedo Anna. From one to race, she has already produced a winner, while the 2yo half-relation by Capitalist was formerly trained by Troy and Will before being sold for a lucrative price to Hong Kong.
Furthermore, she was bred and raised by the top proven nursery Daandine Stud, known for producing elite performers such as the Magic Millions and Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, Champion Sire Written Tycoon, Group 1 winner Southport Tycoon, and speed machine Isotope, who fetched $2.3 million when sold on retirement as a broodmare.
This filly has exactly the profile we like to see behind a Magic Millions-type filly: speed + class + current momentum.
Lot 1125: Grey Colt by Shamus Award out of My Option (Belong To Me)
Vendor: Hidden Valley Thoroughbreds
Purchase Price: $52,000
This incredible value colt not only stood out for his stunning steel grey coat. With an athletic, scopey frame, beautiful action, and a great temperament, he received my highest marks. I was delighted to secure him out of Book 2 on behalf of trainers Troy Corstens and Will Larkin of Malua Racing.
Purchased for only $52,000, he represents what I believe to be excellent value from a section of this sale where I've enjoyed great success. I previously secured multi-million dollar mare Abounding for $75,000 out of Book 2 in 2024 and this colt profiles as the type bought to race, train on, and far exceed his purchase price, especially given the quality of his pedigree and extra Vobis eligibility.
His sire Shamus Award (by Snitzel) was an elite racehorse, most notably winning the WS Cox Plate (G1) as a 3yo. He has established himself as a proven sire of high-class, durable performers and his progeny are renowned for their toughness, soundness, and ability to improve with time. Group 1 winners include Incentivise, Duais, Media Award, El Patroness, and Mr Quickie.
The colt’s female family is a major strength. His dam My Option (USA), by Belong To Me, was a high-class race mare in the United States, winning five races and earning over US$480,000, including multiple stakes performances. Importantly, she is already a proven producer, with all of her runners to date being winners—a powerful indicator of broodmare quality. The deeper American female line is built on durability and repeated success, featuring multiple high-earning, prolific winners across generations.
This colt has size, scope, and substance, backed by a proven sire and an exceptionally productive female family. This is exactly the type of Book 2 opportunity I look to identify for clients—where value, patience, and performance intersect.
The Journey Ahead
The Magic Millions January Sale marked an important milestone for ADB, and I’m incredibly grateful for the trust and support shown by new and existing clients throughout the process.
Securing two quality yearlings alongside Troy Corstens and Will Larkin of Malua Racing was a privilege. I’m thankful for the teamwork, shared vision, and confidence placed in me as ADB takes its first steps into 2026.
