$550,000 Zoustar Tops MM National Weanling Sale Day 1

Demand for the progeny of Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar was highlighted at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on Thursday when Milburn Creek’s colt from Group III winner Embrace Me(NZ) was knocked down for $550,000 to astute purchaser Jim Carey to top day one.

He is the first foal of Embrace Me, a fast sprinter by G1 Newmarket Handicap winner Shamexpress from the family of Group I New Zealand Derby winner Military Move.

“He’s a beautiful colt ,” Carey noted. “A very straightforward and good moving colt.

“He’ll come back to the farm and be re-offered next year.

“We’re starting from a good base – he came off a great farm, he is a beautiful colt with a great colour, a great action and he’s out of a bloody good mare, so we’re delighted to get him.

“He was our pick of the sale, there were a lot of good judges as underbidders, so I just hope he’s as popular at a sale next year.”

Embrace Me (NZ) was offered at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale straight off the track where she was purchased by Suman Hedge Bloodstock for $700,000.

Sent to Zoustar by new owners Iskander Racing, this quality colt has provided a great result although unfortunately Embrace Me will have no foal this year after missing last spring.

Zoustar was the leading sire by average on day one with six weanlings averaging $290,833 and other big results were a filly from Nothin but a Dream (USA) that made $425,000 for Edinburgh Pakr when bought by Yulong and a colt from Delectation Girl (GB) that made $310,000 for Milburn Creek when bought by Suman Hedge B’stock/Redwall B’stock/James Harron B’stock.