Cover image courtesy of Darling View Thoroughbreds
“We could not be happier with our roster," Darling View's Brent Atwell told the Thoroughbred Report - "to have a horse like Playing God who is so dominant in Western Australia as well as sons of Snitzel and Zoustar... we really could not do much better than that!”
On the back of an outstanding season - both on the track and in the sales ring - Playing God's service has increased from $33,000 to $49,500 (inc GST).
Splintex and Lightsaber meanwhile, remain at their 2023 fees of $11,000 (inc GST) and $6,600 (inc GST).
New fee high for Western Australia
A horse who once stood at $4,400 (inc GST), Playing God has been Western Australia's highest priced (or equal) stallion for the last six years with his new fee a record high in the state.
“He has really been knocking it out of the park,” Atwell said of the 16-year-old who has done such a great job siring 18 stakes winners amongst his 124 runners from 177 runners.
That's a 70.1 per cent winners-to-runners strike rate; impressive on its own but it is his 10.2 per cent stakes winner ratio that has really earned Playing God respect.
Playing God | Standing at Darling View Thoroughbreds
Buyers were well aware of his record at this year's Perth Magic Millions where the record-breaking sale topping $625,000 filly was a daughter of Playing God - purchased by Sheamus Mills who said that she was "as good a yearling as I saw in New Zealand or at the Gold Coast.”
The third highest priced yearling was also a Playing God - a $350,000 colt - and he was the sale's most dominant stallion with four of the top ten sellers; 21 sold for an average of $149,762.
A tough and classy campaigner who won eight of his 42 starts including consecutive runnings of the G1 Kingston Town Classic, Playing God has had a great season on the track with seven individual stakes winners and another seven stakes placed.
“On the back of an outstanding season - both on the track and in the sales ring - Playing God see his service fee rise from $33,000 to $49,500 (inc GST).”
G1 Railway S. winner Bustler led the way with Playing God also well represented by the G2 Western Australian Guineas winner Zipaway, the G3 R.J Peters S. winner Mojo Rhythm and the dual Listed winners Baby Paris and Investmentstrategy.
Playing God is a favourite not just because of the contribution he is making to Darling View and to Western Australian racing but because of his endearing personality.
“He is a dream to have around,” Atwell said.
Brent Atwell | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“He spends his days in his paddock, or in his box keeping an eye on everything happening - he always has his head stuck out, his tongue hanging out!
“He is a beautiful horse with a great temperament and his stock are the same.”
Splintex first foals the talk of the studs
Being readied for his third year at stud, Snitzel's son Splintex has the Atwells excited with his foals impressing them - and other breeders.
“We are getting phone calls from around the studs, breeders telling us that the best foal on their farm is a Splintex,” Atwell said.
And he likes what he is seeing at Darling View - “we are really pleased with his foals. They are built very much in his mould; they are strong, good boned horses with great heads which is all him!”
Splintex | Standing at Darling View Thoroughbreds
Serving 118 mares in his first year at stud and 110 last year, Splintex was a very fast racehorse - the winner of seven races; three of those in Group company. And he hails from an in-form family, one represented by the recently retired G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner Ozzmosis (Zoustar) and the classy filly Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}).
Atwell describes Splintex as "a beauty of a horse - a dream to look at.”
The silver-tailed Lightsaber
Also catching the eye is the third of the Darling View trio, the dual Group winning Zoustar silver-tailed Lightsaber who, as Western Australia's third most popular stallion last spring, was - with his book of 100 mares - the state's busiest first season horse.
“He looks like being well patronized again this year,” said Atwell.
Lightsaber | Standing at Darling View Thoroughbreds
“We are delighted to have him - he has let down into quite an imposing horse. He has strength all-round and Zoustar can do no wrong.”
Hailing from the family of Fastnet Rock, Lightsaber was a stakes winner at two (the G2 VRC Sires Produce S.) and three (the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude), Lightsaber was competitive in two Classics - a close up fourth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas won by Anamoe and a game second in the G1 Australian Guineas won by Hitotsu.
| Playing God | Blackfriars | $49,500 | $33,000 | 144 |
| Splintex | Snitzel | $11,000 | $11,000 | 110 |
| Lightsaber | Zoustar | $6,600 | $6,600 | 100 |
Table: 2024 Announced Stallion Fees for Darling View Thoroughbreds
