Widden Stud

Rarely has a leading farm approached the first sale of the season with such well-founded optimism as Widden does in the lead up to the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

It has been a banner year for the legendary farm, which has established a thriving Victorian operation to complement their historic Upper Hunter home in the fabled Valley of Champions. Their flagship stallion Zoustar is shining over the racetrack and sale ring, with both the top priced Australian yearling and weanling in 2022 sired by the son of Widden’s prematurely deceased hero Northern Meteor. The 2023 Widden MM draft includes the Zoustar – Solar Charged full sister to 2022’s $3million Australian record priced yearling, and if that were not enough, this one is a full sister to the champion triple Gr1 winner, Sunlight in addition to the MM 3YO and stakes winner, Sisstar. She is bound to prove a real sale highlight.

Widden’s draft includes a number of yearlings by the mighty Zoustar, but Antony Thompson is understandbly just as excited about the debut crop of Zoustar’s multiple Gr1 performed son, Zousain.

“The dynasty continues with Zousain, the third generation of this fabulous sireline to stand at Widden, and he’s done us proud with his first crop to the sales,” Thompson said when asked about his draft.

“This sireline is known for its good looks and we have often described Zousain as a clone of his handsome father. Judging by his yearlings, the legacy is set to continue, they have good bone and excellent muscle, which they all seem to translate into fluid movement. I’m really looking forward to this sale.”

There is a long history of the best sons of leading sires following in their father’s footsteps and Zousain was certainly an elite performer on the track; his narrow defeat by champions in two of Australia’s top sire making Gr1 races, The Golden Rose (to The Autumn Sun) and The Coolmore Stud S (to Sunlight) among his highlights. Zousain looks set to replicate his sire’s illustrious career and the 2023 MM will provide the ideal opportunity to acquire his stock based on his initial fee.

Widden is justifiably proud of its record of stakes horses in its quality yearling drafts, with 25 stakes-performers having emerged already from its 2020 and 2021 offerings. These include Gr1 winner Zougotcha and no less than five Gr2 winners from the two most recent Magic Millions sales, Daisies, Swift Witness, Blue Army and Glistening. Current flying 2yo Buenos Noches, by Widden’s Supido, was the first colt home in the stallion-making Coolmore Classic, reminiscent of Zousain, while Gr3 winners Brereton and Biscayne Bay were also sold at Magic Millions. As buyers know, one of the biggest drawcards of this sale, besides the spectacular Gold Coast, is the unparalleled race series that graduates are eligible for, and Widden’s track record includes 14 Magic wins since 2011, 2YO winner Sunsource the latest to join the ranks.

Widden has 49 catalogued, 8 by the mighty Zoustar, 12 by his Gr1 son Zousain, 14 by their sprint champion Trapeze Artist, 3 by young gun Written By and an even dozen by some of the top commercial sires in the land including one by the evergreen Nicconi, sire of Nature Strip.

Antony Thompson summed up the draft, “Widden is represented by the Northern Meteor line, which has been so good to us. Zoustar has lived up to his name, a star on the track and at stud. Zousain was the first colt home in the Coolmore Classic of his year, and I feel the sky is the limit for him; we are taking a very nice group by him to this sale. Zoustar, Zousain, Trapeze Artist, Written By and Nicconi, form the backbone of this draft, with lots by I Am Invincible, Exceed And Excel and Pierro as well, they will be well worth inspecting. Our team is looking forward to catching up with friends and clients and parading this group for inspection. The prizemoney on offer in Australia is incredible at the moment, win some with a Widden youngster.”

Q: What’s the coldest you’ve ever been?

A: Diving with the great white sharks in Cape Town in winter.

Q: What drives you nuts about social media?

A: Fake Accounts - cowards with a lot to say but not enough courage to put their name to it.

Q: What would you do if you sold a yearling for $10 million?

A: Have a great party with our team and turn up to work with a good hangover.

Q: What is the best horse you have sold through Magic Millions?

A: Sunlight – twice, once in January and once in May!

Q: When assessing breeding which influences/key horses do you mainly look for?

A: Speed influences – love seeing Vain in a pedigree.

Q: Do you still get butterflies as your yearling enters the ring?

A: Yes - so much work and investment has gone into each yearling.

Q: What makes Magic Millions at the Gold Coast such a success?

A: MM’s great team, location, nice horses and results for buyer and vendors.