All Positive for Our New Boys

 In 2014

Widden Stud are in the envious position of standing two of the hottest sire prospects of 2014 in Champion 3yo Shamus Award and Champion 3yo sprinter Zoustar.

As the breeding season is in full swing, mid September marks an anxious time for any stallion master of a new sire as the first mares covered await that all important veterinarian verdict.

Zoustar and Shamus Award’s approach and performance in their new careers has been absolutely exemplary. Both young stallions are incredibly popular and we’re thrilled to announce that we have a number of mares already with pregnancies including Group winner FUDDLE DEE DUDDLE (Zoustar) and Group One winner PERFECT PROMISE (Shamus Award),” said Widden’s Antony Thompson.

“Thankfully, like they did in their race careers, these two fine young stallions haven’t let us down. At this early stage they both have excellent libido and are proving exceptionally fertile.

Zoustar, the most successful son of the late Northern Meteor was an electrifying sprinter who this time last year was the dominant 3yo in Australia winning the Golden Rose, Roman Consul and Coolmore Stud Stakes – his popularity with breeders has been overwhelming, notes Antony Thompson.

I can’t recall a new stallion with such an abundance of quality in their first book. Mares already covered by Zoustar include the likes of Group winners OUR EGYPTIAN RAINE, MISSY CUMMINGS, CABERNET, SATINKA and Maria Di Castiglia (the dam of SHOCKING).  Awaiting covers within the next fortnight include the likes of Gold Anthem (the dam of STARSPANGLEDBANNER), COMBAT KITTY, SOLAR CHARGED, CHANCE BYE, FLYING SNITZEL, CREVETTE (the dam of COSMIC ENDEAVOUR), ASSERTIVE EAGLE, CUTE EMILY etc..”

Not to be outdone, Snitzel’s highest rated horse, the Timeform Champion Australia 3yo and history’s only winner of the Cox Plate / Australian Guineas double, Shamus Award was somewhat the ‘talk’ horse of last month’s Hunter Valley Stallion parades.

The breeders could not speak highly enough of his physical appearance and like Zoustar, Shamus Award will cover an outstanding book of over 160 mares. Mares already covered by Shamus Award include the likes of Group winners HEC OF A PARTY, the recently retired ROMANTIC MOON, JOHANN’S TOY (also the dam of TOYDINI) and the 3/4 sister to Champion filly PEEPING FAWN whilst he’s not far away from serving MISS ANDRETTI, SHE’S A FOX, METONYMY, CULMINATE and  Pine Away (the dam of ABSOLUT GLAM),” said Thompson.

It is a genuinely exciting time at the farm and you can feel that amongst all the staff. Our established young sires Sebring and Stratum have started the new season in super fashion (sitting comfortably in the Top 10 sires of Australia), the first 2yo’s by Star Witness and Tickets are about to hit the trials and the crop of foals we have on the ground now are as good a group as we have had for some time in particular the Your Song foals which are simply eye-catching.”