Mill Park Stud

by Renée Geelen

It’s hardly surprising that buyers have noticed the consistency of Mill Park’s racetrack results – one only needs to go to their website to see the list of stakes winners from the farm. So many, in fact, that they might need a bigger website soon.

Already, their 2017 draft (early three year-olds) has produced stakes winner Mickey Blue Eyes, while other graduates of the Magic Millions drafts include All Too Huiying, Guard of Honour, Modern Wonder, and Notonyourlife. The Gr.1 honour roll from Mill Park is extensive, including Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner, Go Indy Go, Happy Trails, Captain Sonador, Devil Moon, Gold Guru, Mummify, Princess Coup, Rebel Raider, Southern Speed, Undoubtedly, Divine Madonna, and several others.

Bluebloods spoke to Chris Watson about their 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast draft.

What can buyers expect from your 2019 MMGC draft?

We are once again bringing a high quality draft to the Gold Coast. We haven’t entirely focused on “speed based” types but are certainly bringing forward, precocious yearlings for sale. We are bringing a pedigree and type to suit a wide range of buyers and I think most inspectors of the Mill Park draft will hopefully be happy to try and take one home with them!

THE FIELDS OF MILL PARK CONTINUE TO PRODUCE QUALITY RACEHORSES, AND THEIR MAGIC MILLIONS DRAFTS ARE ALWAYS SOUGHT AFTER BY BUYERS FOR THIS VERY REASON.

Buyers will have nine yearlings from Mill Park to fight over, headlined by a full sister to Modern Wonder (Snitzel – Elusive Wonder). Another filly of note is the Not A Single Doubt who is the second foal of stakes winner Hussy By Choice. The ‘Discreet’ family has done well for Mill Park, and in 2019 at Magic Millions, they offer a colt by Brazen Beau from Gr.3 winner Just Discreet, herself a half sister to Gr.1 winner Maybe Discreet.

Gr.2 placed Snitzel mare, Moreau, is represented by a Hinchinbrook colt, and this is the quality family of Arazi, and Japanese stakes horses Meisho Qualia, and Vril. Tough five race city winner Sensualism (by Commands) has an I Am Invincible filly on offer, and Sensualism is a half-sister to stakes winner Liesele, and Loved Up. This is a tough, sound family with many multiple city winners on the page.

A pair of So You Think yearlings will appeal to many buyers with the young sire proving himself on the big stage early in his career. Out of winning mare, Tirarri, the filly is her first foal, and Tirarri is a half-sister to group winners Kebede, and Panzer Division, while the colt is from winning mare Miss Otto who is a half sister to stakes horses Miss With Attitude, and Oui Si Attitude. The draft is rounded out by a Vancouver colt out of Magic Milady, a winning daughter of Gr.2 winner Buckle My Shoe, and a Written Tycoon filly from nine race winner and stakes placed Obsidian Dragon.

If you had a personal Magic Millions highlight reel, what would be on it?

It would contain racehorses we have sold through Magic Millions that have gone on to produce some startling results on the racetrack. Mill Park has been lucky enough to have quite a few highlights sell at Magic Millions over the years. Some of my personal favourites have been Captain Sonador winning the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap, one of the toughest horses I have seen race. Divine Madonna winning the Gr.1 Emirates Stakes and the Gr.1 Myer Classic with an amazing turn of foot. Finally, Happy Trails and what an evergreen horse he was, racing at the age of eight and still at the highest level. His win in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes is a favourite of mine.

What has been your biggest near miss in the Magic Million race series?

Our biggest near miss probably was in the 2017 MM Adelaide two year-old race. Danger Deal ran a close second in the race, he was a client’s yearling we had sold and liked him enough to buy a share and race him with Leon Macdonald. We have been lucky enough to win the MM Gold Coast two year-old race with Augusta Proud and also win the MM Adelaide two year-old race with Augusta Proud and Atalanta Miss.

When you’re not working how do you like to spend your time?

Usually with the family trying to relax and enjoy the smaller things in life. A glass of wine and a cheese platter also comes to mind!

What do you give a damn about?

The growth and longevity of the Thoroughbred Industry, winning stakes races and farm life.

2019 draft

112 I Am Invincible (AUS) - Sensualism (AUS)

235 So You Think (NZ) - Tirarri (AUS)

547 Snitzel (AUS) - Elusive Wonder (AUS)

667 Not a Single Doubt (AUS) - Hussy by Choice (AUS)

705 Brazen Beau (AUS) - Just Discreet (AUS)

771 Vancouver (AUS) - Magic Milady (AUS)

819 So You Think (NZ) - Miss Otto (AUS)

833 Hinchinbrook (AUS) - Moreau (AUS)

870 Written Tycoon (AUS) - Obsidian Dragon (AUS)

www.millparkstud.com.au | 08 8575 6033 | Chris Watson: 0417 838 489 | Meningie, SA