First Season Sires How Are They Performing?

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday January 13

As we prepare for Thursday’s third session of the Magic Millions Yearling Sale it’s worth taking a look at our first season sires to see where they sit in the pecking order.

Click to visit Breednet Sales Centre for all the stats on the first two sessions.

Merchant Navy

Coolmore’s dual Group I winning son of Fastnet Rock. Merchant Navy is the leading sire by average for stallions with three or more sold, but Cambridge Stud’s shuttler Almanzor (Fr) has made a big impression with his first two yearlings to sell which bodes well for the Karaka Sale in New Zealand where the majority of his stock will be offered.


Almanzor’s sire Wootton Bassett made global news last year when he was acquired by Coolmore from his previous owners in France and stands for a fee 100,000 euros in 2021.

Merchant Navy has also posted the single highest price for a first season sire with his colt from Brugal Reward making $500,000 for B2B Thoroughbreds when bought by Belmont Bloodstock.



The sale continues

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sliders tops Inglis January Online as Anamoe breeding right confirmed for Feb (Early) auction
The first Inglis Digital auction of 2026 was topped by well related mare Sliders – with an I Am Invincible colt foal at foot – selling for $400,000.
Facts and Figures: $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO
A highly competitive, trans-Tasman field of 14 plus two emergencies has been confirmed for the 19th edition of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie this weekend.
More Choice, More Opportunity at the New-Look MM March Sale
The best incentive sale in Australasia is set to deliver even more for buyers in 2026 with a quality packed catalogue for the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale now online
Two State Double for Hello Youmzain
With the Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sale set to kick off this Sunday, the Cambridge Stud bred and sold filly Fast ‘n’ Inzaine rang up a double for her sire Hello Youmzain (Fr) when breaking the ice at Sandown on Wednesday and she has a half-sister to be offered next Monday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday January 21
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Favourites Fare Well in Karaka Millions 2YO Barrier Draw
The stage is set for a trans-Tasman showdown in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Wednesday morning’s barrier draw strengthening the claims of some of the biggest players.
Magic Millions 2026 – Pinhook Winners
The Magic Millions Yearling Sale last week was fertile ground for pinhookers with 23 yearlings selling for $100,000 or more above their weanling purchase price in Book 1.
Pedigree Updates Add to Karaka 2026 Excitement
Anticipation has been rapidly building in the countdown to the milestone 100th New Zealand National Yearling Sale, and a series of significant pedigree updates have only added to the hype.
Well Written Hot Favourite and Ideal Gate for Karaka Million 3YO
No-one amongst rival connections was prepared to say it out loud, but it was quite obvious their challenge became even more daunting when unbeaten filly Well Written drew perfectly at three for Saturday’s Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).
Change of Luck For Baker As So You Think Gelding Shows Potential
Off the back of a few days that trainer Bjorn Baker would like to forget after the his two runners were withdrawn from the lucrative Magic Millions 2YO Classic, So You Think gelding Castagnola impressed on the Randwick Kensington track, breaking his maiden at just his second start.