REMEMBER WHEN

WHAT makes a horse worth a million dollars?

For the layman, it’s simple. It’s how much money it might make.

Bloodstock agent Mark Pilkington, who made the top bid of $1,050,000 at the Magic Millions complex admitted he was excited when he put his hand up.

The bid was $50,000 short of the record, but it is the most Mr Pilkington has ever bid for a horse at auction.

Bidding on behalf of Hong Kong trainer David Hayes and a syndicate including Magic Millions owner John Singleton, Mr Pilkington said putting up his hand was the easy part.

“But I was a bit wobbly when it came to the signature,” he said.

Mr Pilkington said buying a top quality racehorse was like buying the best house in the best suburb on the Gold Coast.

“You will pay more for a five bedroom home on the waterfront than you would for one up the road,” he said.

“This horse has pedigree.

“It has the bedrooms, the view, the tennis court, the swimming pool; the works.”

He said the Danehill colt would carry high expectations after topping the 2004 sale.

“But if it performs on the track it could be worth $10 million. It’s got the pedigree to be worth an absolute fortune.”

The yearling was sold on behalf of the massive Coolmore stud, which has operations in the US, Ireland and Australia’s Hunter Valley.

NSW stud manager Peter O’Brien said the colt was “as good as you will ever see”.