Playing God was the big winner as Magic Millions graduates cleaned up at the WAROA/Perth Racing Western Australian Horse of the Year Awards in Perth on Saturday night.
The four horse awards presented at the glittering function were all won by graduates of Magic Millions.
Playing God, a member of the Neville Parnham stable, beat out Oaks-Derby winner Dreamaway to win the Champion Three-Year-Old award.
As a three-year-old Playing God won five races including a milestone win for his connections in the Group One Kingston Town Classic.
He had earlier on won in the listed Aquanita Stakes and Group Two WA Guineas and a start after winning the Kingston Town Classic he won the Magic Millions Perth 3YO Trophy.
Sent to Melbourne he ran an unlucky third in the Australian Guineas before backing up a week later for a brilliant third against older rivals in the Australian Cup to Shocking and Linton.
Playing God, a $27,000 purchase from the 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale where he was offered by Durham Lodge, is raced by Colin Loxton.
After winning his second award, the feature Horse of the Year crown, Loxton announced a $50,000 donation to the Red Kite charity. Loxton also donated $50,000 last year.
The major gong, the Champion Racehorse Award, was judged by a panel from RWWA, Perth Racing as well as selected Racing Media.
Neville Parnham, who was recognised at the function for his 13th trainers premiership, said Playing God was being aimed at this spring’s Cox Plate.
The outstanding son of Blackfriars will gallop tomorrow and trial next Monday and then kick off his spring campaign.
Playing God looks certain to pass the magical million dollar barrier within weeks. He needs less than $17,000 to achieve the feat.
Outstanding youngster Night War was crowned the state’s Champion Two-Year-Old at the function on Saturday night.
A daughter of General Nediym, Night War raced on just four occasions for Ascot trainer Simon Miller and notched two wins and a second placing and earnings of over $378,000.
Raced by former AFL star Peter Bell and business partner Ray Meadowcroft, Night War was bred by Gerry Harvey and sold through the draft of Baramul Stud for $90,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Night War is from a twice Sydney winning Secret Savings half sister to triple Group One winner County Tyrone and stakes placegetter Al Wafi.
Famous Roman rounded out a clean sweep for Magic Millions graduates when he was crowned the state’s Champion 4yo+ racehorse.
A $121,000 Horses in Training Sale purchase by Danetime, Famous Roman earned over $725,000 for Sam Trimboli.
During the Perth Summer Carnival last year, Famous Roman won the listed Northerly Stakes and the Group Two Lee Steere Stakes and was second in the Group One Railway Stakes to Eastern States galloper Gathering.
Now seven, Famous Roman was retired in May and will stand his first season at Cromartry Park for $4,400.
As well as Parnham being crowned with yet another Perth trainers premiership – William Pike and Kyra Yuill were crowned the Champion Jockey and Apprentice respectively.
WA HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Perth Racing Western Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year
Winner: Playing God
Breeding: Blackfriars-Dolly Will Do (Rubiton)
Sold for: $27,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Durham Lodge
Buyer: Parnham’s Racing Stable
Earnings: $983,175
Owner(s): Cockatoo Ridge Syndicate (Mgr: CW Loxton)
Trainer: Neville Parnham (Ascot)
WAROA Champion Two-Year-Old
Winner: Night War
Breeding: General Nediym-Samar (Secret Savings)
Sold for: $90,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baramul Stud
Buyer: Aquanita Racing
Earnings: $378,696
Owner(s): PF Bell & RD Meadowcroft
Trainer: Simon Miller (Ascot)
WAROA Hartley Estate Champion Three-Year-Old
Winner: Playing God
Breeding: Blackfriars-Dolly Will Do (Rubiton)
Sold for: $27,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Durham Lodge
Buyer: Parnham’s Racing Stable
Earnings: $983,175
Owner(s): Cockatoo Ridge Syndicate (Mgr: CW Loxton)
Trainer: Neville Parnham (Ascot)
WAROA Horserail-Northerly Leading 4yo & Upward
Winner: Famous Roman
Breeding: Danetime-Famous Friend (Marooned)
Sold for: $121,000
Sale: 2006 Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
Vendor: Startribe Pty Ltd (As Agent)
Buyer: Ken Williamson
Earnings: $727,950
Owner(s): CS Trimboli
Trainer: Jim Taylor (Bullsbrook)
