Widden Stud Announce 2015 Fees
‘A Proven track record, offering exciting opportunities’ is a great way describe Widden Stud’s 2015 Stallion line up.
“It has been an amazing 18 months for Widden stallions who have sired the winners of over 70 stakes races including 17 Group One races. We’re delighted to offer stallions who are taking all before them, yet also present to breeders young stallions who fit the successful criteria we look for in a potential Australian Champion sire,” said Widden’s Antony Thompson.
Headlining the Widden roster is Golden Slipper winner Sebring ($66,000) who is one of the hottest young stallions at stud thanks to the deeds of the current two best horses in Australia; multiple Group I winners DISSIDENT and CRITERION.
Sebring’s remarkable versatility as a sire is unquestionable. He is the reigning Champion sire of individual 2yo Stakes winners, reigning Champion 3yo sire of Australia and his progeny have a distinctive appetite to improve from their two year-old year. Currently second on the General sires list, with just three crops, he looks a young stallion destined for Champion Australian sire status.
Our other Golden Slipper winner and Champion 2yo sire Stratum looks exceptionally good value this year at $33,000 considering he again finds himself in the Top 10 sires list after another big year of new stakes winners, while Star Witness is enjoying a great start to his stud career having already produced six stakes performers headed by stakes-winners The Barrister and Pearl Star and remains at $22,000.
“As of this point, you have to go back to Fastnet Rock, to find a stallion who has sired this many 2yo black type performers in their first crop by mid-April,” said Thompson.
“We’re thrilled with Star Witness and believe, like Stratum he represents terrific value.”
The fortunes of leading sire Snitzel continue to rise which can only be good for his highest rated and very best horse, Shamus Award. The first 3yo in history to win the Cox Plate / Australian Guineas Gr 1 double has his first foals arriving this spring and remains at $27,500.
The arrival of the imposing Your Song in 2013 was met with tremendous support from breeders and his first crop of foals are simply outstanding. No other sire-son of Fastnet Rock has won a Group 1 by over a length, Your Song won his by over five at WFA level. He is simply an awesome physical type and he again remains at $22,000.
The sire of over 30 Australian winners this season headed by impressive Group II winner Chill Party, Nicconi looks top-value at $11,000 and royally bred Redoute’s Choice stallion Tickets rounds out the roster at $6,600.
It should be noted, Northern Meteor’s electrifying son Zoustar will be standing this season at Victoria’s Woodside Park before returning to Widden in 2016. After covering a stellar debut book of mares in 2014, he appeals as one of the most exciting young stallions in Australia and also remains at his original fee of $44,000.
2015 Service Fees – All including GST and Free returns
Sebring $66,000
Zoustar $44,000 (Standing in VIC 2015)
Stratum $33,000
Shamus Award $27,500
Star Witness $22,000
Your Song $22,000
Nicconi $11,000
Tickets $6,600