Selling early on Thursday morning at the Gold Coast, Widden Stud’s Snitzel colt from Humma Humma set a new Magic Millions yearling sale record when selling for $2.8million to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock.
Bred by Widden in partnership, the star colt is the second foal of Group III winning Denman mare Humma Humma, whose first foal is this season’s stakes-placed two year-old Zoustar filly Price Tag, who was sold at Inglis Easter last year for $600,000.
Champion sire Snitzel always looked to have a strong hand coming into day three of the sale, but few would have predicted this colt would break the all time record for the sale in eclipsing the previous mark of $2.7million set in 2023 when Tom Magnier purchased an I Am Invincible colt from Anaheed from Segenhoe Stud.
Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson is no stranger to success in the Gold Coast sale ring with the farm also holding the record for selling the highest priced filly at this sale with Sunlight’s full sister Clean Energy purchased by Yulong for $2.6million in 2023.
“A really proud moment for us. It has been an amazing sale for Widden. We sold Sunlight here as a record price mare ($4.2million in 2020). Having sold Clean Energy, I think she was a record priced filly, and now to have the highest priced yearling, it is a big honour,” said Antony Thompson.
“So thankful for the guys investing in mares with us. We actually bought Humma Humma through this very ring and to see this colt come back and do us so proud here is so humbling and such a special moment.”
While the first foal of Humma Humma was sold at Inglis Easter, Thompson always felt Magic Millions was the right option for this colt.
“He had Magic MIllions written all over him. He was very strong and forward. A bombproof action, very forward. When you think about Magic Millions and what it is, the race, for me he is just the ideal horse.
“You can take him to any sale. You could take him to the moon and still sell him.
“I know Inglis were disappointed he didn’t go to the Easter sale, but I just thought he was the right horse for this sale.
“With nine or ten serious players on him and a couple knuckling down over a million-and-a-half, I was always confident he’d sell well but it is hard to know how well.
“Fabulous result. Stunning.”
Ciaron Maher signed for the colt, who will race in the colours of Newmarket based investor Phil Cunningham of Rebel Racing and is the equal highest priced Snitzel yearling ever sold..
“He looks really early and sharp. A great pedigree from a quality family,” said Ciaron Maher.
“Bred on a good farm and hopefully he can get back to a great farm in good time.”
Phil Cunningham arrived at the sales complex for the first time today.
“It was Ciaron’s pick of the sale. This is my first time to Australia - I only turned up ten minutes ago so it was good to get involved,” said Cunningham.
“Absolutely delighted. I got introduced to Ciaron last year. I race horses in Newmarket - I’ve got my own training operation. I got involved with Ciaron last year with a filly we bought here.
“First trip over here and I was hoping she (Life After Love) was going to run on Saturday hence the timing.
“I asked Ciaron what he liked at the sale so I’m delighted to get involved and it gives me an excuse to come back. Absolutely loving the place. I went to Sydney, Hamilton Island and now here. We finish up in Melbourne after here. Hopefully we’ll be back here next year.”
Humma Humma came from humble origins, purchased originally as a yearling at Inglis Premier in 2017 by Redgum Racing for $80,000 before going on to become a super consistent sprinter with six Group and Listed wins and prizemoney topping $650,000.
Widden Stud purchased her off the track at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $1million and she’s made the perfect start to her stud career and there is more in the pipeline.
Humma Humma produced a colt by I Am Invincible last year and was then covered by Zoustar.
