Two Victorian pacers have been purchased as a gift for a politician residing at Batangas province in the Philippines.
The Gingerbreadman (pictured) and Reeds May are currently in quarantine in Sydney and will leave for Manila on January 28 with a shipment of thoroughbreds.
They are the first standardbreds that Magic Millions have ever sold to south-east Asian country.
The Gingerbreadman, a chestnut entire son of Ponder, was raced by Ian and Margaret Hunter and trained by Ian. He won 11 races – including three at Melton - with 33 placings for $92,598 and took a mile record of 1:56.
A daughter of Mach Three, the UK-bred Reeds May won seven races in Victoria and held a mark of 1:55.9. The mare, who is owned by western district identities Dick and Jean Lee and Bill Dixon, has a positive test to the 2018 Victorian Horse of the Year Jilliby Kung Fu.
"We believe The Gingerbreadman and Reeds May will be standard bearers for the quality of Australian-bred pacers," Magic Millions director David Chester said.
"These two horses could open up another overseas market for our horses."
Twenty-five years ago a well known Victorian agent the late Bryan Muschialli sold a number of Victorian pacers to breeders in the provincial town of Lipa in the Philippines.
"Descendants of those horses race on dirt tricks and paddocks at festival times honouring the patron saint of the towns as well as the patron saint of farmers, livestock, etc.," Chester added.
"Wealthy politicians race these horses to gain prestige and votes."