The Beginning of the Future

The Beginning OF THE

BY CHARLOTTE GEOGHEGAN

In Winter 2018, I was lucky enough to pass the interview process and be welcomed into the Magic Millions family and take up my role here at Magic Millions WA.

Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, I was unfortunately not from a horse racing background other than trips to the race track (Phoenix Park in particular which is no longer there) and my family’s yearly bet on the Grand National or when we drove to my grandmother’s we would usually pass horses roaming freely in front gardens ready for their next sulky race. A sulky for those of you that are unaware was originally a light, open, one-horse, four-wheeled vehicle with its single seat for only one person fixed on its shafts. They used to race quite regularly outside of the towns, thankfully an operation that is now banned!

In July 2018, I was certainly a long way from home, a bit out of my depth but committed to the task at hand. I have always been a determined learner and love being thrown in the deep end. And deep end it was, with David Houston out of action due to an accident overseas…. Let’s not talk about that!! I immediately realised that not only had I landed into an incredible company but also an incredible industry here in WA full of people that I could really get along with and understand! To me the best way I can describe the people involved in the racing industry are exactly like the Irish, hard workers and so extremely welcoming and patient!

I certainly seemed to have arrived at the right time, there was great excitement within the company and the breeding industry especially, here in WA. Magic Millions had purchased land in the Swan Valley to build a state of the art auditorium that was very much needed in Western Australia. For years the sales were held at Belmont and although it had served its purpose, a stand-alone complex was very much needed. And so my adventure with Magics began… When I first arrived at the property it was a sandpit on one side and a water pit – now known officially as the winter lake - on the other side. There were trees everywhere with beautiful red-tailed black cockatoos nesting in them. They still are, if you look closely. We kept their nesting grounds on the property and they are a wonder to watch when they fly past. The race was officially on to get the complex built and up and fully functional by February. But alas, as soon as you need something done in super speed time disaster strikes! Our disaster..the rain!!! It delayed us months, we were unable to start the building of the stables until November and as this was a priority above even the auditorium we were in a bit of deep water. We had no other option but to have them finished as Belmont were now unable to hold our sales, as building work had commenced there. The sales were getting closer and the new Magic Millions Swan Valley build was getting further away. As Christmas approached so did our flagship yearling sale

The Beginning OF THE

Plants, plants and more plants

Swan Valley Complex, early February 2019

at the Gold Coast which was also going to be a first for me. It was all hands on deck between heading East and making sure the complex had no further delays. With the decision to hold the sale at the new complex, we decided that if we had the auditorium slab down we could at least put a giant marquee on top, we were just needing a guarantee that the barns would be up and the parade ring would be set. A guarantee that we were given! It was exciting but also we left WA with concern as we were not going to be on-site for two weeks and anyone who has built before knows that anything can happen at any time and cause delays.

We needed a huge imagination and vision in trying to work out what we needed to hire, what was going to be available on-site and more importantly, how we could make it safe for clients, vendors and staff. We were extremely lucky with our builders, nothing was too hard a task.

We arrived back in WA to our barns nearly finished, we began the task of creating the front of house. Craning in the auditorium marquee is certainly something that will stick in my mind, makeshift offices, heaps of bark, plants, plants and more plants. The sense of excitement was beginning to boil.

Everyone pulled together! I even recall Brian Nutt varnishing our newly made benches for the parade ring which had just been finished by our beloved Jonesy and Chris Farrell. It was a huge team effort and the sale went ahead with success! I learnt a lot from those few months but the main thing was what a team we have with everyone just wanting the same result! West is definitely best! n

The first lot through the ring at the Swan Valley Complex

Brian Nutt hard at work