Darling View’s Brent Atwell was still floating on air a day after Playing God sired a dream double at Ascot.
In what could well be a pivotal day in a stud career that’s knows no bounds, Playing God 3yo Zipaway won a prized Group 2 in the WA Guineas (1600m) for Neville & Steven Parnham. And for an encore, they all lifted a gear to send Bustler clear in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m).
The duo banked a combined $1.12 million which sent Playing God’s season-earnings through $3 million when Westspeed bonuses are added this week. That puts daylight between him and second-placed Universal Ruler at the top of the WA sires’ table.
“It’s definitely a day dreams are made of but at the same time it’s also very humbling and emotional,” Atwell said. “Our family and the whole staff put so much in and we’re all busy at this time of the year.”
The Atwells put plenty in when Playing God was put up for sale just prior to the 2020 serving season. The Darling View roster had been rising for some time but it went to a whole new level when Playing God arrived at Mundijong.
He took over as Western Australia’s Champion sire last season thus breaking the incredible 12-year reign of his own sire Blackfriars (Danehill). That prompted a service fee hike to a State record-equalling $33,000 (inc GST) and Atwell reports that hasn’t deterred local broodmare owners.
“He’s loving the work and holding up. There’s only a few weeks left so he will probably cover 140 plus.”
Playing God claimed his fourth black-type win in a fortnight on Saturday. Zipaway and Bustler followed Mojo Rhythm (G3 R.J. Peters Stakes) on November 18 and Investmentstrategy (LR Fairetha Stakes) on November 11.
“Mojo Rhythm ran a huge fifth in the Railway and his breeders David & Ellen Ott have booked his dam to Playing God next season,” Atwell revealed. “A lot of our breeders are coming back with their better mares. And we bought eight of our mares home from the Hunter Valley specifically for him earlier this year.
“Brian Nutt from Attunga Stud was also at Ascot as a shareholder in A Lot Of Good Men yesterday. He’s been a tremendous help over the years with our mares and cataloguing our yearling in the Eastern States. We also met Gai and Robbie Waterhouse after breakfast, They love it here in Perth and look forward to visiting us at the farm next time.”
Darling View’s maternity ward closed with the final of 50 foal deliveries last week. Among the youngsters that took the eye was the Playing God colt from Silver War (War Chant) that arrived in August. His dam is a full-sister to millionaire-mare Dainty Tess.
Western Breeders Alliance will offer a draft of 38 yearlings at the Perth Magic Millions in February and among them will be 10 by Playing God, including a full brother to Investmentstrategy (from Boutique) and a filly from Railway Stakes runner-up Platinum Rocker.
Playing God (Blackfriars) stands for a $33,000 fee at Darling View Thoroughbreds with Splintex ($11,000) and newcomer Lightsaber ($6,600). Service fees (inc GST).