Magic Millions yearlings swagger in Swan Valley

Media Release - Tuesday Feb 21

Perth’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale inspections are in full-swing under sunny skies in the Swan Valley and there’s an extra swagger at the Forest View Farm and Geisel Park parades following successful starts to sales week at Pinjarra on Saturday.

Ben and Jo Duncan of Forest View Farm.

Forest View Farm vendors Ben and Jo Duncan bred and sold Super Smink to win the RL Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) and Geisel Park stallion Manhattan Rain sired Man Crush to score a front-running victory in the RL Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m).

Super Smink (Super One) cost $45,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions and she gave trainer Dan Morton a third 2YO Classic following Camporella (2013) and Cadenza (2014).  The filly defeated Snow Prince (Safeguard) by a half-length with another Forest View graduate Champagne Street (Street Boss) filling out an amazing finish for the south-west breeders in third place.

“We’re proud the two fillies we sold last year performed so well,” Ben Duncan said.  “And that’s our second stakes winner from three crops selling under Forest View Farm.” 

Ben’s parents Neville and Susan Duncan will be forever linked with their homebred champion Northerly and he’s carved out a successful career in the industry as Founder of Horserail Australia.

The Duncans bred the Magic Millions Classic winner from Sminky Shorts (Snitzel).  It’s the multi-talented family of G1 Railway Stakes winner Covertly (Metal Storm) and the mare has a yearling colt by Sessions.

Lot 39

There are 8 yearling from Forest View for sale at the Perth Magic Millions starting this Thursday and among the highlights is the Sessions half-brother to three-time Listed winner Buzzoom (Lot 39). 

“She has won $550k and he’s also a full-brother to Boomtastic ($300k),” Ben Duncan said.  “Check out how well he struts his stuff this week.”

Lot 101 is a striking colt by Frosted (USA) out of Garden of Eden (Blackfriars).  “It’s a cracking WA family and he’s a ripper,” Duncan claimed.  “His half-sister All About Eve has shown an amazing turn of foot in Melbourne and this bloke will keep improving being a November foal.”

Duncan is also looking forward to offering a son of Harry Angel (Lot 105) in the Swan Valley. His 3yo half-sister Grey Mistress is already a winner for Dan Morton.

Earlier on Pinjarra Magic Millions Raceday, Geisel Park stallion Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) sent his Stakes-winner tally to 17 when Man Crush rolled to a convincing victory over Malkar Pindari (Gingerbread Man) in the 3YO Trophy (1200m). 

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“This bloke is super tough and runs a great race every time even though he never draws a barrier,” trainer Luke Fernie said.  “The on-speed bias today meant he had to go forward to make best use of his speed and strength.

“He’s pretty stiff not to have won more races and I have to thank Rebecca Nairn.  She sent him back from a break looking fit, healthy and in fantastic order.”

Geisel Park's Conor Dunlop and Eddie Rigg.

Geisel Park manager Conor Dunlop has prepped a half-dozen yearlings for this week’s Perth Magic Million including a Manhattan Rain chestnut filly from Miss Matilda  (Lot 141).  She’s the second foal out of a winning half-sister to Victorian Stakes winners Deja Blue (LR Rosemont Stud Stakes) and Triple Gold (LR Taj Rossi Series Final). 

Lot 141

“She’s a standout and we rate her highly,” Dunlop declared.  “I would be surprised if there’s a better walking filly on the sale-grounds.”

The Myalup nursery will start its run with the I’m All The Talk - Vacillare colt (Lot 34).  He’s a half-brother to G3 WA Gimcrack Stakes flyer Kiss Bang Love (Demerit) and the dam of All The King’s Men (King’s Troop).  “All The King’s Men is a top-class 3yo and can keep improving the pedigree,” Dunlop predicted.  “Our colt is exceptional and is probably the pick of our draft.”

Geisel Park has entered two yearlings by its Group 1 stallion All American starting with the filly from Soliloquy (Lot 188).  “She will be an asset to any stable,” Dunlop said.  “She’s well-bred and well put together.”  Soliloquy’s All American sprinter-miler Westriver Miracle three times in four starts during the last winter season at Belmont.

Meanwhile, Fernie and Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg will back up Laced Up Heels (Toroado) at Sandown after she finished midfield in the G3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1100m) last Saturday.  

“She worked home and only finished a length or two from the winner,” Dunlop reported on Monday.  “She had a good blow and the boys decided to go again.  The step up to 1400m in the (G2) Angus Armansco will suit her second-up this Saturday.”

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