It is a Thursday morning in November. The late spring rain has cleared to a bright blue and silver day and a breeze is blowing in from the great Southern Coast.

Mill Park principals Peter and Serena Watson and their son Christopher are accompanying leading Adelaide trainer Leon Macdonald and a group of owners as they set out across the property to find a very special horse. Leon’s grandson Joe is looking for “Buff”

Three year old Joe has been asking his grandfather to take him to see Buff, his “favourite horse in the whole world”. The old horse that raced as Buffalo Power is now living in retirement at Mill Park, lazing in a lush 120 acre paddock with five other stars of the Australian turf. There is no doubt that Joe loves Buff more than all the toys that have been bestowed on him by loving parents and doting grandparents.

As they drive across the property, the adults are commenting on the wonderful spring feed, how well the horses are doing and the abundance of flowering trees and wildlife. Joe is silent – he is looking for his friend.

Suddenly a group of horses comes into view and Joe is instantly pointing and shouting. The horses raise their heads and look in the direction of the piping voice. They are only slightly interested – life is good and they do not really want to be disturbed. They stare in that slightly arrogant way of elite thoroughbreds, Toledo flicks his tail and yawns and Umrum drops his head to graze.

But Joe is not to be denied and at last Gold Guru makes a move. He walks slowly towards the group of humans and the rest follow. To everyone’s surprise it is that generally stand-offish Buffalo Power who pushes forward and strides straight up to Leon and little Joe. He stretches out his head and sniffs Joe all over, butting him gently in the chest and snorting softly. Joe is wide-eyed with joy.

Leon picks up the little boy and swings him on to Buff’s broad back. The old horse does not turn a hair and stands perfectly still with Joe reaching out to hug his friend. Buff turns his big head and gazes at the little boy who is sitting so happily on his back. In that moment there is nothing more important in the world than the tiny boy and the huge horse

We at Mill Park will always remember that scene and we hope we can continue to have such wonderful moments. Mill Park is renowned for its dedication and expertise across many facets of the thoroughbred industry – and we are proud that we also treat the old horses like champions.

The horses sharing the paddock with Buffalo Power have won in excess of $6 million between them and the fairytale has continued. Graduates of Mill Park include the multiple Group 1 winner MUMMIFY ($3,437,000 – MRC Caulfield Cup, MRC Underwood Stakes, South Australian Derby, MRC Yalumba Stakes), DILLY DALLY ($1,125,340 Gr 2 MVRS Champagne Stakes, Gr.2 AJC T.J. Smith Stakes) , NATURAL BLITZ ($831,030 – Gr2 Shannon Classic, Gr2 MVRC Feehan Stakes, Gr2 STC Hill Stakes) BLESSUM ($357,600 – Gr2 VRC Standish Handicap) and SANZIRO ($229,000 – Gr2 VRC Maribyrnong Plate, Gr3 VATC Blue Diamond Prelude)

Our sales highlight in 2004 included topping the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sales averages ($77,705) and aggregate and having the honour of rearing two Danehill colts which sold at the Sydney Easter Sales for more than $1.5 million.

For the year 2005 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sales, we will be presenting yearlings that have the potential to emulate the stars of previous years. The yearlings are by Zabeel, Galileo, Royal Academy, Peintre Celebre, Gilded Time, More Than Ready, General Nediym, Indian Danehill, King Cugat, Bianconi, King Charlemagne, Twining, Spectrum and Jetball.

PIC - Buffalo Power winning at Morphettville in 2003 - by Jenny Barnes.

Mill Park Media Release Published 30/11/04