Hermitage Thoroughbreds has again flexed its buying power at the Magic Millions, securing the top-priced filly of the sale just hours after watching Lady Shenandoah trial at Randwick.
The New South Wales-based operation went to $1.6 million for an Arrowfield Stud-prepared daughter of Snitzel at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, setting a new filly benchmark for 2026.
The filly, out of War Emblem mare Madame Andree, was knocked down shortly after 11.30am local time on Thursday.
That purchase followed the first public appearance this preparation of Hermitage’s champion mare Lady Shenandoah, who trialled earlier in the morning under Chris Waller.
Lady Shenandoah settled close to the speed before cruising through the line in fourth, beaten just under three lengths, without being fully extended.
“She looked ready to explode this morning in her trial,” racing manager Shannon Clarke said.
“She’s come back bigger and stronger and it’s a very exciting autumn hopefully.
“She was very unlucky (in spring). She never disgraced herself in any run that she had, just a few things went wrong in those four starts, but it didn’t knock her confidence.”
Enriched took out the trial, with Manaal and Golden Slipper contender Incognito filling the placings, while Golden Rose winner Beiwacht was close behind.
Hermitage part-owns Autumn Glow, who also resumed in the trials, finishing a comfortable fifth behind Shangri La Boy in a heat that included Flight Stakes winner Apocalyptic and Sir Delius.
Via Sistina and Aeliana rounded out a strong morning for the Waller stable, finishing almost inseparable at the tail of the final 850m trial.
While the $1.6 million filly is some way from raceday, Clarke said the similarities to Lady Shenandoah were evident early.
“She was our top pick for the sale,” Clarke said.
“Obviously we’ve had a lot of luck with a Snitzel filly recently and that’s probably guided us into this filly today.
“They’re both very athletic fillies. They just have an athletic physique, they showed that early on at their parades; nice leg on them (and) are good movers.”
With elite performers returning to the track, attention is turning to autumn markets across leading online bookmakers.
The only yearlings to surpass the $1.6 million mark at the time were the pair of $2 million colts sold across the opening two days of the sale.
The post Watch đź“ş Hermitage pay up for another Snitzel filly at Magic Millions first appeared on Just Horse Racing.