Playing God, a dual Group 1 winner of the Kingston Town Stakes (1800m) and the best racehorse by Champion WA sire Blackfriars, has been acquired by Mungrup Stud.

“Tough, versatile and a good looking individual, Playing God performed at the highest level of Australian racing,” Mungrup owner Gray Williamson said.  “He fits exactly what we are looking for in a sire.  A sprinter- miler with multiple Group 1 success.”

Playing God won 8 races from 1100m to 1800m and earned $1.67 million in a stellar career for Colin Loxton’s Cockatoo Ridge Syndicate.  Precocious, he jumped straight out of the blocks as an autumn juvenile winning the Westspeed 2yo Plate (1100m) at Ascot before launching a career-defining season as a three year-old.

He won the G2 WA Guineas (1600m) and LR Aquanita Stakes (1800m) before storming home to complete a feature hat-trick in the G1 Kingston Town Stakes (1800m) at weight-for-age.

Continuing that rich vein of form, Playing God left Luckygray standing in the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy and then travelled to Melbourne for Group 1 placings in the Australian Guineas and Australian Cup at Flemington.

Back home at Ascot, he was a beaten favourite in the G1 WATC Derby (2400m) but lost no admirers after rocketing home from the rear of the field to finish a length second to Dreamaway.

In 10 starts at three, Playing God won 5 races and was placed another 5 times for a Timeform rating of 121.  That placed him on a par with the likes of Buffering, Crystal Lily, Hinchinbrook and Sincero.

It was also the highest ranking awarded to a Perth galloper in recent years – well ahead of 2004 Victoria Derby winner Plastered (119) and 2000 Kingston Town winner Old Comrade (116).

Apart from back-to-back Kingston Town wins, he was placed a further 5 times at Group 1 level including placing to Black Caviar, Shocking and Shamrocker.

“He’s a pretty special horse and has been a wonderful performer for the stable,” trainer Neville Parnham said.  “He’s going to be hard to replace.”

Playing God will appeal to breeders wanting to tap into super-sire Danehill.  His dam Dolly Will Do is by champion broodmare sire Rubiton.

Playing God will start his stud career at a $6,600 (inc gst) service fee.

PLAYING GOD