Australian Studbook Red Flags – The West Can’t Keep This Secret Forever

Tara Madgwick - Sunday November 12

This stallion tends to fly under the radar, but with a stakes quinella on Saturday and a 9% stakes-winner to runner lifetime strike rate it’s going to be hard for West Australian breeders to keep this guy to themselves forever.

Playing God featured with a stakes quinella at Ascot on Saturday when Investmentstrategy and Rope Them In ran one-two in the Listed WATC Fairetha Stakes, read about them here.

Playing God stands at Darling View Thoroughbreds in WA.

Advertisement

A dual Group I winning son of champion West Australian sire and Victoria Derby hero Blackfriars, Playing God scored back to back wins in the Group I WATC Kingston Town Classic in 2010 and 2011 before retiring to stud in 2014 at a fee of $6,600.

Playing God sired five stake-winners in his first crop of just 35 foals and in recent years has been on an upward spiral with his fee rising from $13,200 in 2020 up to $16,500 and then $27,500 before hitting a high this year of $33,000 at Darling View Thoroughbreds.

His current crop of three year-olds are the beginning of his better numbers and better quality mares, so should pave the way for further success in the future for a sire that runs at nearly 68% winner to runner.

Playing God is also garnering respect in the sale ring with 21 selling at the Perth Magic Millions this year for up to $280,000 with an average price of $119,286.

While the direct Danehill sireline is losing it’s dominance in the rest of Australia, Playing God will keep it front and centre in WA for a good while to come.

Advertisment

Race Result - Seacorp - Fairetha Stakes LR 1400m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 1:23.24
1
Investmentstrategy
- 3c Playing God (AUS) x World Class (AUS) (Manhattan Rain (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: B Parnham 54
2
1.2
Rope Them In
- 3g Playing God (AUS) x Lead Rope (AUS) (Real Jester (AUS))
Tnr: S J Wolfe Rdr: P Knuckey 55.5
3
1.3
A Lot Of Good Men
- 3c A Lot (USA) x Cosmah Domination (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: T M Andrews Rdr: P Harvey 55.5
4
1.5
Zipaway
- 3g Playing God (AUS) x Boutique (AUS) (Discorsi (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: S Parnham 55.5
5
2.3
Weeraechoux
- 3g Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Rae's Rae (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: Brian Kersley Rdr: Lucy Fiore 54
6
2.4
Masamune
- 3c Universal Ruler (AUS) x Shibata (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: D T McAuliffe Rdr: Michael Poy 54
7
2.6
Blue Lagoon
- 3g Supido (AUS) x Chardonnay (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: Sue Olive Rdr: S Mc Gruddy 54
8
2.8
Pleasure Cruise
- 3g Justify (USA) x Peaceful Sea (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Takahide Ikenushi Rdr: W Pike 55
9
4.6
Shooting Spirit
- 3g Shooting To Win (AUS) x Spirit Bird (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Simon Miller Rdr: Chris Parnham 54
10
5.2
On Patrol
- 3g War Chant (USA) x Artie's Belle (AUS) (Artie Schiller (USA))
Tnr: S & J Casey Rdr: Holly Watson 55
11
5.5
Linden's Gold
- 3g Akeed Mofeed (GB) x Gold Denari (AUS) (Roman Emperor (NZ))
Tnr: Takahide Ikenushi Rdr: Joseph Azzopardi 54
12
8.9
Moorditj Boy
- 3g Dissident (AUS) x Across The Moon (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Hayden Ballantyne Rdr: P Carbery 54
13
14.3
Kermit's Luck
- 3g Kermadec (NZ) x Light My Fire (AUS) (Myboycharlie (IRE))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 54
More Reading...
Hong Kong International Lead Up Races at Sha Tin
There was plenty of excitement at Sha Tin on Sunday with the lead up races for International Day next month won by some very familiar names – a Kiwi bred up and coming sprint star, a high class Aussie bred miler and a Cox Plate winner – with two of them ridden by James McDonald!
Written By's Wind And The Lion Brilliant in Placid Ark Stakes
With a $500,000 prize, the Listed TABtouch-Placid Ark Stakes drew a field of promising 3-year-olds at Ascot on Saturday, and the winner looks a bit special.
2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Catalogue Online
The catalogue for the 2025 Classic Yearling Sale – the best value yearling sale in the Southern Hemisphere – is now available online.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 16
Here is the full list of 107 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Return to Form for Churchill Stayer
Interesting stakes race on the all weather track at Newcastle in the UK overnight with multiple Group I winner Dubai Honour sent out favoruite, but beaten comprehensively by Churchill four year-old The Foxes in the Listed Bet UK Churchill Stakes (1m2f).
G1 Pedigree Watch – Three New Girls
Racing on Saturday in Australasia produced three new Group I winning fillies / mares and all of them super interesting for different reasons.
Sires With Winners - Friday November 15
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Super Saturday for Playing God
Darling View Thoroughbreds Playing God enjoyed a remarkable Saturday at Ascot, siring the winners of three of the five stakes races.
Star Fillies Clash in G1 NZ 1000 Guineas
Riccarton racegoers could be in for a treat on Saturday when they get to witness one of the burgeoning rivalries in New Zealand racing come to a head.
Too Darn Hot Running Hot at Canterbury
A competitive 1350m maiden for 3-year-olds to start the Canterbury night series with an impressive winner in Scorching Legend, who came with a barnstorming finish from last.