A rising two-year-old "super filly" has set a new thoroughbred yearling record, selling for $2.6 million at the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast.
Vendors Widden Stud, from the NSW Hunter Valley, are "over the moon".
"It's a real thrill. The team has worked so hard," Widden owner Antony Thompson said.
Bidding opened at $1 million for the Zoustar x Solar Charged filly and saw fierce competition, both in person and online.
"She's very likely to be the absolute best filly to be offered for sale in Australia all year," the auctioneer told the crowd.
"She is royalty, she is quality personified and here's the best part – she could be yours."
Bidding quickly surpassed the former record for the Magic Millions Yearling Sale of $2.2 million, set in 2008 by two Redoute's Choice colts.
"It's a rollercoaster … you're never exactly sure what's going to transpire in an auction but to see the competition right around the ring from the major global players in the industry on that filly makes us very proud," Mr Thompson said.
There was much anticipation in the lead-up to the sale of the filly, simply known as lot 399, after her full brother sold for $3 million in 2022.
"We thought this filly was every bit as good," Mr Thompson said.
She's also the full sister to three-time Group One-winning mare, Sunlight, which holds the national broodmare record after selling for $4.2 million in 2020.
"We were thinking she might make $1.5 million or $2 million, but to see her make $2.6 in a wonderful bidding duel was really exciting," Mr Thompson said.
"The build-up was really big, the pressure was on, but to see that hammer come down at $2.6 million ... I'm lost for words."
Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said the purchase by Yulong Investments, based in Victoria, showed great confidence so early in the sale.
"It was a sensational start to the week … great theatre late in the day," he said.
"It's a fantastic result for the industry … it'd be a tough [price] to beat."
The Magic Millions Yearling Sale last year grossed more than $242 million, becoming the highest-grossing sale in the southern hemisphere.
Almost 1,280 horses will be auctioned as part of this year's sale, which ends on Monday, January 16.
