Australian Studbook Red Flags – The West Can’t Keep This Secret Forever

Tara Madgwick - Sunday November 12

This stallion tends to fly under the radar, but with a stakes quinella on Saturday and a 9% stakes-winner to runner lifetime strike rate it’s going to be hard for West Australian breeders to keep this guy to themselves forever.

Playing God featured with a stakes quinella at Ascot on Saturday when Investmentstrategy and Rope Them In ran one-two in the Listed WATC Fairetha Stakes, read about them here.

Playing God stands at Darling View Thoroughbreds in WA.

A dual Group I winning son of champion West Australian sire and Victoria Derby hero Blackfriars, Playing God scored back to back wins in the Group I WATC Kingston Town Classic in 2010 and 2011 before retiring to stud in 2014 at a fee of $6,600.

Playing God sired five stake-winners in his first crop of just 35 foals and in recent years has been on an upward spiral with his fee rising from $13,200 in 2020 up to $16,500 and then $27,500 before hitting a high this year of $33,000 at Darling View Thoroughbreds.

Advertisement

His current crop of three year-olds are the beginning of his better numbers and better quality mares, so should pave the way for further success in the future for a sire that runs at nearly 68% winner to runner.

Playing God is also garnering respect in the sale ring with 21 selling at the Perth Magic Millions this year for up to $280,000 with an average price of $119,286.

While the direct Danehill sireline is losing it’s dominance in the rest of Australia, Playing God will keep it front and centre in WA for a good while to come.

Advertisment

Race Result - Seacorp - Fairetha Stakes LR 1400m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 1:23.24
1
Investmentstrategy
- 3c Playing God (AUS) x World Class (AUS) (Manhattan Rain (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: B Parnham 54
2
1.2
Rope Them In
- 3g Playing God (AUS) x Lead Rope (AUS) (Real Jester (AUS))
Tnr: S J Wolfe Rdr: P Knuckey 55.5
3
1.3
A Lot Of Good Men
- 3c A Lot (USA) x Cosmah Domination (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: T M Andrews Rdr: P Harvey 55.5
4
1.5
Zipaway
- 3g Playing God (AUS) x Boutique (AUS) (Discorsi (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: S Parnham 55.5
5
2.3
Weeraechoux
- 3g Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Rae's Rae (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: Brian Kersley Rdr: Lucy Fiore 54
6
2.4
Masamune
- 3c Universal Ruler (AUS) x Shibata (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: D T McAuliffe Rdr: Michael Poy 54
7
2.6
Blue Lagoon
- 3g Supido (AUS) x Chardonnay (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: Sue Olive Rdr: S Mc Gruddy 54
8
2.8
Pleasure Cruise
- 3g Justify (USA) x Peaceful Sea (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Takahide Ikenushi Rdr: W Pike 55
9
4.6
Shooting Spirit
- 3g Shooting To Win (AUS) x Spirit Bird (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Simon Miller Rdr: Chris Parnham 54
10
5.2
On Patrol
- 3g War Chant (USA) x Artie's Belle (AUS) (Artie Schiller (USA))
Tnr: S & J Casey Rdr: Holly Watson 55
11
5.5
Linden's Gold
- 3g Akeed Mofeed (GB) x Gold Denari (AUS) (Roman Emperor (NZ))
Tnr: Takahide Ikenushi Rdr: Joseph Azzopardi 54
12
8.9
Moorditj Boy
- 3g Dissident (AUS) x Across The Moon (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Hayden Ballantyne Rdr: P Carbery 54
13
14.3
Kermit's Luck
- 3g Kermadec (NZ) x Light My Fire (AUS) (Myboycharlie (IRE))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 54
More Reading...
G1 CF Orr Stakes - Two of Them in 2025 - Not All Change is Bad!
Flemington is done and dusted for another year, but Melbourne’s Spring carnival rocks on and programming changes continue, with the relocation of the MRC's time honoured G1 CF Orr Stakes from its traditional February slot.
November Foals? Time to Breed a Winner with Aquis
November breeding reminders, here’s the truth… some of the best are born late.
Famous Family Produces G1 NZ 2000 Guineas
Victory bells have been ringing for Marie Leicester and her family for decades, with Romanoff the latest to hit a Group One note.
Goffs November Foal Sale Offers Insight
The Goffs November Foal Sale kicks off later tonight our time and runs from November 17 – 20 and this year will hold significant interest with the first NH bred foals being offered for high profile Kiwi shuttlers Chaldean (GB) (Frankel) and Paddington (GB) (Siyouni) as well as Darley shuttler Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream), who has an amazing 43 entries!
Sires With Winners - Sunday November 16
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding to Win - G1 CF Orr Stakes
A small but select field of seven runners will line up in the $1million MRC CF Orr Stakes (1400m) on Saturday at Caulfield and a fascinating contest awaits for the first running of this great race in it's new slot on the calendar.
Derby Dreaming for Paul Mirabelli
Cambridge trainer Paul Mirabelli is now eyeing the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) with Shoma following his pleasing placing in last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
Karaka 2026 – The Sire and Vendor Break Up
Flying the G1 flag for Kiwi-breds in Australia this spring have been Ceolwulf, Jimmysstar, Mr Brightside, Globe and of course the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising, so we’re busting to take a look at the sire and vendor break up for the 2026 Karaka Books 1 and 2.
Pedigree Watch – 3YOs for Autumn
We know about the three year-olds that found G1 success this spring, but there were a couple that came to the party late and hold G1 promise for the autumn, so who are they?
Sires With Winners - Friday November 14
Here is the full list of 62 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.