Stars in the Making

They don’t call Widden Stud the Valley of Champions for nothing!.

Dissident as a weanling

Steeped in history, we are the oldest family run commercial thoroughbred stud in the world and under the care of current owners Antony and Katie Thompson and their great team of staff, the Group I winners have continued to come.

Last weekend, the famed JT over a lazy 2 brand was carried to victory in not one but two Group I events with Dissident claiming his fourth Group I victory in the MRC CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield in Australia and Thunder Fantasy capturing the Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin.

Both four year-olds were foaled and raised at Widden and spent their early days enjoying the lush rolling paddocks that have produced countless champions.

Pictured here at weaning time, their paths separated after that with Dissident (Sebring x Diana’s Secret) prepared for the Magic Millions where he was sold for $210,000 to Peter Moody, while Thunder Fantasy (Lucky Owners x Pink Pier) was allowed to grow out for his owner/breeder Mr Chiu before joining the stable of Anthony Cummings.

Thunder Fantasy as a weanling

Fast forward to 2015 and both are now Group I winners that have written another chapter in the history of Widden Stud with their achievements.

“With four Group I wins on the board in the past 12 months, Dissident has certainly done Widden Stud proud and we could not have been happier to see Thunder Fantasy put himself in contention for the Hong Kong Derby in scoring a tenacious victory in the Classic Cup,” said Antony Thompson.

“Results on the racetrack are how we ultimately measure the success of all that we are doing on the farm in terms of pedigree/bloodline selection and the environment and upbringing our horses receive.

“A weekend like we’ve just had is great vindication that the Widden Stud of today is a premier source of elite thoroughbreds as it has been for over 100 years.

“In the past 12 months, 20 stakes-winners have emerged from Widden Stud and eight Group I races have been won by Widden Stud products.”

Don’t miss Widden Stud’s 50 strong Inglis Easter draft featuring another generation of budding Group I stars!