More family reunion than racing carnival for Nolan clan
FOR Thoroughbred Breeders Association president Basil Nolan, the annual Magic Millions carnival week on the Gold Coast is like Christmas.
And it’s not because of the event’s unquestionable soaring growth and popularity.
For the Darling Downsbased founder of Raheen Stud the Magic Millions serves as an annual Nolan family get together during the week-long yearling sales.
Mr Nolan, who has attended so many Magic Millions he has lost count, this year had three generations of his family in attendance at the Bundall auction complex and stables.
Working alonside him at their Raheen block of stables were his two sons and their seven children, including one plucky three.
“He’s young not lad aged far away just from mucking out the boxes but he’s not quite there yet,” Mr Nolan said.
“We have Christmas in January, it’s like a reunion,” he told the Bulletin during the week.
Mr Nolan said he can remember the days when the Magic Millions yearling sales was just 200 horses, a far cry from the 1000-plus up for auction in the past five days.
“It has continued to grow and grow,” he said.
“Obviously it went through a few sticky years and (coowners) Katie Page and Gerry Harvey have taken it to a new level and it’s the best sale in the southern hemisphere now.”
Mr Nolan said the increasing international buyers coming from Asia and the US was encouraging – including American tycoon Jon Kelly who splashed out $2 million on a yearling in what was the 2018 sale’s highest bid.
“It’s great to see those investors coming from America,” Mr Nolan said.
“That is what we need, those investors coming from around the world and looking at horses.
“It’s become very global and very international this sale, and that is great for the industry. There is probably no better racing in the world than Australian racing.
WE HAVE CHRISTMAS IN JANUARY, IT’S LIKE A REUNION. MY GRANDSON, THREE, IS NOT FAR AWAY FROM MUCKING OUT BOXES