The first Magic Millions Digital Sale is open for bidding until Wednesday with the largest draft in the inaugural 70 lot catalogue being offered by Maida Vale breeder Pat Robinson.

Pat and her husband Bill reached the pinnacle in racing when their homebred galloper Trix of the Trade (Trade Fair) won the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in 2022.  The unreserved draft of 33 lots includes yearlings by Playing God, Maschino, Gingerbread Man, Lightsaber and Universal Ruler.

Mares with foals at foot are headed by Tricky Trix (Universal Ruler) who is a winning half-sister to Trix of the Trade.  Catalogued as Lot 65, her foal is a filly by Roselee Stud sire Super One (I Am Invincible).

Other mares with foals at foot include; Lot 45: Dynamic Time (Alfred Nobel) with a colt by Super One.  Lot 48: Glamour Packed (Oratorio) with a colt by Gingerbread Man.  Lot 49: Glamouresque (Blackfriars) with a filly by Super One.  Lot 68: Anna’s Sister (Playing God) with a filly by Gingerbread Man

Bidding closes on Wednesday at 12pm (QLD time).  The 33 Lot draft can be viewed here

Bill Robinson died last month aged 94.  Born in a bygone era, it was a long life which touched many on an energetic, varied and interesting journey.  Bill loved his racehorses and would sometimes say he had the ‘Trix of the Trade’.  He was also a man of principle and integrity in business matters and was respected as such.

The following well-known members of our industry have also been farewelled recently;

Shirley Piper, wife of former Perth Racing Vice-Chairman and leading owner-breeder Lex Piper, passed away last month.

The Pipers were associated with Mungrup Stud owners Gray and Jan Williamson for many years with a highlight being the Metal Storm (Fr) full-sisters Kalatiara and Kentiara.

Carrying their successful orange and red silks, Kalatiara won a G2 WA Guineas for the Pipers in 2000 and she later transferred to North America to win the G3 Royal Heroine Stakes at Hollywood Park.  Younger sister Kentiara was a Listed winner of the Detonator Stakes and La Trice Classic.  Another sister Lacienne foaled G2 Perth Cup winner Guest Wing (Right Wing).

Laurie Byatt, owner of Raintree County Stud in Serpentine, passed away peacefully on September 18.

Byatt was a very successful poultry producer and stood several stallions including 1984 Roma Cup winner Official Receiver (Bold Flip) and USA-bred sire Bending Away (Never Bend).  The latter sired Lothaway County to win back-to-back LR Darwin Cups in 1994 and 1995.

Peggie Beauglehole died in her sleep aged 98 last month.  With her husband Keith, she bred Australian Racehorse of the Year Miss Andretti (Ihtiram) who graduated from a Pinjarra 3yo maiden in December 2004 for trainer David Mueller to Group 1 victories at Moonee Valley, Caulfield and Flemington with Hall Of Fame conditioner Lee Freedman.

Miss Andretti travelled to England for the Royal Ascot meeting in 2007 to claim the G2 Kings Stand Stakes (1000m) from small but select field headed by fellow Aussie raiders Magnus, Takeover Target and Bentley Biscuit.  Her dam Peggie’s Bid (Marooned) also foaled the Stakes-winning Perth sprinters Danny Beau (Zedrich) and Charlie Beau (Ihtiram) for the Beaugleholes.