Gai Waterhouse looks for a million dollar baby: racing’s golden girl gears up for Magic Millions sales

AUSTRALIA’S racing queen Gai Waterhouse will be jumping out of the Magic Million sale gates after being impressed with the quality of horses.

Open Day Inspections at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales . Gai Waterhouse inspects a yearling from Glenlogan Park Stud . Picture Mike Batterham

AUSTRALIA’S racing queen Gai Waterhouse will be jumping out of the Magic Million sale gates after being impressed with the quality of horses at yesterdays inspection.

As the yearling inspections get into full swing, Mrs Waterhouse yesterday made an appearance at the sale complex to check out a few of the future stars for herself.

“There are always good horses bought out of here but this year the quality has shot through the roof from what I’ve seen,” she said.

“I’m always hoping to find my next champion and the yearlings that I’ve looked at so far are very promising.

“I think the sales will be red hot and very competitive, there is more money from Europe and American here this year than what I have seen in a long time.”

Open Day Inspections at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales. Gai Waterhouse. Picture Mike Batterham

More than one thousand yearlings are set to be offered over the five-day sale which will begin on Wednesday January 6.

Open Day Inspections at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales. A yearling from Segenhoe Stud. Picture Mike Batterham

Some of the star lots include at least half-relations to this year’s Golden Slipper winner Vancouver, weight-for-age star Criterion and the Group 1 winners Zoustar, Amicus, Miracles Of Life and Sweet Idea.

Magic Millions spokesman Greg Irvine said the already buzzing atmosphere at the complex will crank up a notch in the coming days.

“As the first sale day gets closer, we will see people from all over the world arrive to look at the yearlings,” he said.

“We are very excited and intrigued to see what happens on the first day when about 200 yearlings will be up for auction.”