Figures released by the Australian Stud Book this week confirmed the growing influence of Darling View Thoroughbreds in Western Australia.

In season 2022, Darling View’s leading sire Playing God covered 132 mares to top the WA stallion list alongside the Mundijong nursery’s newcomer Splintex who was next best with 118.

There were 1,334 WA-based mares covered by 43 local stallions returned to the ASB this season.  That accounts for approximately 7% of mares served Australia-wide as does the foal crop of 942 which increased marginally from 2021.

Playing God (Blackfriars) was based at Mungrup Stud from 2014 until transferring to Darling View in 2020.  His books have increased from 96 to 128 and 132 since floating up the Albany Hwy and his service has also doubled in that time to $27,500 (inc GST).

Splintex (Snitzel) covered more mares than any other newcomer in WA and he was Top 10 in Australia behind Coolmore Stud’s Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) with a book of 202 at a $110,000 (inc GST) fee.

The initial response to Splintex (118 mares) reflects favourably against the most popular freshmen in recent years like Long Leaf (84), My Admiration (81), I’m All The Talk (71), Awesome Rock (65), Ducimus (64), Vert de Grece (63) and Safeguard (60).

Darling View stallions covered 20% of the WA broodmare herd in 2022 and that will surely rise with news Melbourne Group 2 winning sprinter Lightsaber (Zoustar) has joined the roster for 2023.

132  Playing God   ($27,500)   Darling View Thoroughbreds
118  Splintex   ($11,000)   Darling View Thoroughbreds
107  Awesome Rock ($7,700)   Gold Front Thoroughbreds
101  Maschino ($9,900)   Alwyn Park
76    Gingerbread Man ($5,500)   Yarradale Stud

68    Manhattan Rain ($8,800)  Geisel Park
66    Rommel  ($7,700)   Mogumber Park
64    Sessions  ($9,900)  Oakland Park
64    Universal Ruler  ($6,600)   Scenic Lodge
61    Snippetson  ($7,700)   Scenic Lodge