www.magi c mi l l i o n s.c o m.au • 2022 PERTH YEARLIN G SAL E
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.
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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!
had purchased land in the Swan Valley to build a state of
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!
on the property and they are a wonder to watch when they
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
sales were getting closer and the new Magic Millions Swan
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 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 Valley build was getting further away. As Christmas approached so did our flagship yearling sale
