Despite the grim conditions at Randwick last Saturday, Magic Time, trained by Grahame Begg, clinched her second Group 1 victory in the All-Aged S. Wearing the mud-soaked brown and white colors of her breeder, John Muir of Milburn Creek, and guided by an outstanding ride from Mick Dee, the daughter of Hellbent surged to triump.
With nearly 50 years spent in the breeding industry, Muir understands the twists and turns it entails all too well. However, the accomplishments of Magic Time prompted Muir to declare to The Thoroughbred Report, “I'm sure she is better than Secret Admirer.”
This statement holds significant weight, considering Secret Admirer, a daughter of Dubawi (Ire), claimed victories in the G1 Flight S. and the G1 Epsom H.
“I'm sure she (Magic Time) is better than Secret Admirer.” - John Muir
Interestingly, Magic Time and Secret Admirer share another connection. In 2008, Rothwell Park Thoroughbreds offered Secret Admirer at the Inglis Weanling Sale, where Jon Freyer purchased her for $38,000.
Secret Admirer was later presented by Muir’s Milburn Creek Thoroughbreds at the 2009 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale but failed to meet her $40,000 reserve. Under the tutelage of Grahame Begg, she emerged as a formidable and talented competitor.
Throughout her career, she secured victories in races such as the G1 Epsom H. and the G1 Flight S. Additionally, she garnered placings in esteemed events like the G1 Queen Elizabeth S., the G1 Coolmore Classic, and the G1 George Ryder S., among others.
At stud, Secret Admirer has proven to be successful. Her son Danawi (Exceed And Excel) clinched the G3 Ming Dynasty H., while Townsend (Dundeel {NZ}) achieved a placing in the G1 Champagne S.
Similarly, like Secret Admirer years prior, Magic Time also fell short of her reserve at auction. For more insight into the “fairytale story” The Thoroughbred Report recently caught up with Muir.
From the beginning
The tale of Magic Time commences with the acquisition of her dam, Time Awaits (Nicconi). Trained by Tony McEvoy, the daughter of Nicconi boasted three victories as a 2-year-old, including triumphs in the G3 Sires’ Produce S. and the Listed Cinderella S., along with placings in the G3 Chairman’s S. and the G3 Breeders’ S.
At the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Time Awaits, presented by Edinburgh Park, was secured for $300,000 by Damon Gabbedy's Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) on behalf of Muir.
Muir explained what drew him to Time Awaits as a broodmare prospect, stating, “Damon Gabbedy (Belmont Bloodstock {FBAA}) is a friend and somebody I respect very much. We were at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, and Time Awaits presented for sale there. I happened to like her, and I liked the fact she was a 2-year-old winner and a Group winner as a juvenile. She was a very good type, and I paid $300,000.”
John Muir | Image courtesy of Milburn Creek
Time Awaits was then sent to Yarraman Park Stud’s Hellbent, a Group 1-winning son of I Am Invincible, who had served 182 mares in his debut season after winning the G1 William Reid S.
In late September, Time Awaits gave birth to the bay filly who would later become known as Magic Time. She was part of Hellbent’s debut crop, alongside Benedetta and Hell Hath No Fury.
Passed-in
2021, Milburn Creek ventured to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with a draft of 13 yearlings. Among them, Magic Time was Lot 894, one of only two yearlings that failed to sell.
Magic Time was passed in for $110,000, falling short of her $150,000 reserve. However, an undeterred Muir remarked, “That’s how it goes sometimes,” adding, “She may not have been as good as she could have been at the sale, but it was a happy ending."
He continued, “Funnily enough, after I passed her in and I came back to the stable where Magic Time was eating, her backside was facing me. She turned around, came up to the box, and looked me straight in the eyes with those beautiful eyes she has. There’s something, I’m not sure what it was, maybe a bit of horse whispering, but she looked at me and I felt she said, ‘You should keep me and race me.’”
Magic Time as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“That’s how it all turned out. I mean, it could have been her physical appearance at the time, who knows. I had a similar experience many years ago. I bought a mare named Secret Admirer as a weanling at the Inglis Sale and reoffered her in the Classic Sale six months ago. She failed to meet her reserve, and I gave her to Grahame Begg."
“She won the Flight S. and the Epsom H., so you know things can turn around. You know what will happen; it's a funny business. A lot of ups and downs.”
Big plans on the horizon
Big plans are on the horizon for Magic Time, with the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup in Brisbane being considered as a potential next step. A win in that event would elevate her record to seven victories from 12 starts, following her earlier triumphs in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S., the G3 Nivison S., the G3 PJ Bell S., and the Listed Amanda Elliott H.
“Matter of fact, I’m turning 80 this year, and I think she might be the best horse I’ve owned in a while,” Muir remarked. “Magic Time is lightly raced; she's had 11 starts for six wins and has been unlucky in a couple. She tries her heart out every time. She gives it absolutely her best.
“Magic Time has been very well handled by Grahame, and Michael’s ride last Saturday was very, very good. Brisbane is potentially on the horizon for her, but Grahame will look after her and place her well.”
Magic Time | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Meanwhile, Time Awaits was served by Yarraman Park’s Champion Sire I Am Invincible. However, Muir is confident that the resulting foal will likely be sold.
“Time Awaits is due to foal to I Am Invincible this season. Unfortunately, I’m going to sell, and I'll regret it; I’m a breeder, and you need money to keep the show rolling.
“But it's a team effort. Growing and training the horses, Scott Holcombe, my manager back here at Milburn Creek down in the Southern Highlands, and the wonderful team he’s got bring a foal into the world and give them the best chance at life. The horse has got to be reared and sold, and so many other things.
“All things related to Magic Time have turned out like a fairytale.”
“All things related to Magic Time have turned out like a fairytale.” - John Muir
