Ever So Close for $2.2m Zoustar Mare

The four day Flemington Cup Carnival has been a showcase for expensive seven figure yearling purchases with G1 victories for The Next Episode ($2.8m) and Autumn Glow ($1.8m), plus a G3 victory for Lady Catalina ($1.8m) and on Saturday we very nearly saw $2.2m Zoustar mare Plaintiff add her name to the list.

A Group III winner last season at three, the Peter Snowden trained mare was sent off at 100-1 in the Group I VRC Champions Sprint after failing to place in her first three runs back in Sydney this spring in top company.

Plaintiff ran out of her skin on Saturday for Jordan Childs to run second behind Point Barrow beaten just half a length with Group I winning mares Skybird, Tempted, Joliestar, Charm Stone and Geegee’s Mistruth left in her wake.

Jordan Childs had nothing but praise for Plaintiff, who has the overall record of four wins and two seconds from nine starts with earnings topping $468,000.

“Super effort by her. Obviously she’s back to her best now,” he said.

“She travelled well during the race. Presented well, thought I was the winner and just got nabbed late. She’s back on track and she’s looking good.”

The highest priced yearling by champion sire Zoustar sold in 2024 when fetching $2.2million for Widden Stud at Inglis Easter to the bid of James Harron Bloodstock, Plaintiff runs for Fairway Thoroughbreds.

Bred by Widden and partners, Plaintiff is the best of three winners from three foals to race from Group I Tatts Tiara winner Prompt Response, who won over $1.6million with a resume packed with additional Group wins and placings.

Sadly, she passed away in 2025 and Plaintiff is her final foal.