Playing God to Draw Buyers to The West

Tara Madgwick - Friday February 16

The Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale is on next week (February 22 and 23) and the big draw card is Playing God, whose largest ever foal crop are poised to play a big role and if you need reminding why this is a big deal we decided to revisit and update our Australian Studbook Red Flags story from last year that charted his rise.

Playing God is the best in the west!

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 in 2023 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  69% winner to runner and 9.6% SW to runner. He has had five stakes-winners this season headed by Group I winner Bustler and Group II winning 3YO Zipaway.

Playing God is also garnering respect in the sale ring with 21 selling at the Perth Magic Millions last year for up to $280,000 with an average price of $119,286. Click here to see all his Perth MM yearlings.

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

Advertisement

Crop

Service Fee/ Mares Covered

Foals

SW’s

2014

$6,600 / 49

35

5

2015

$4,400 / 45

28

2

2016

$4,400 / 33

18

1

2017

$4,400/ 57

34

3

2018

$11,000 / 75

48

3

2019

$11,000 / 88

58

2

2020

$13,300 / 96

56

2YO’s

2021

$16,500 / 128

72

Yearlings

2022

$27,500 / 132

64

Foals

2023

$33,000/ 144

 

 

 

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Strong Trade Continues at Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
Strong trade continued on the fourth day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale with an interesting horse set to join the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald stable as turnover has already soared to be the second highest in the sale’s history with the fifth and final session still to come. 
Melbourne Cup Winner for Extreme Choice – Rare Slice of History
This year’s $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) produced a genuinely amazing fairytale result for the connections of five year-old Extreme Choice gelding Knight’s Choice, but part of that fairytale is his sire Extreme Choice, who has carved out something seriously special as being only the second sire in history to produce the winner of a Golden Slipper and a Melbourne Cup.
Depth aplenty in November (Early) Online Sale
The dam of and a sister to G1 sprinter Oscar’s Fortune, mares in foal on desirable covers and an unreserved dispersal from a respected bloodstock operator are among the highlights of the Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale.
Coolmore Announce Euro 2025 Fees
Coolmore have announced fees for their 20 strong European sire roster with three new additions City of Troy (Justify), Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact)and Henry Longfellow (Dubawi) and a significant increase for Wootton Bassett, who is currently in Australia.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.