First Win for Widden Stud’s Magic Millions Sale-Topper

Purchased by Tom Magnier for $1.9million from the Widden Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Snitzel colt Basquiat cast off maiden status at Doomben on Monday with a stylish victory.

Ridden by Nash Rawiller, the Chris Waller trained colt was second at his first two runs in good company in Sydney and after missing a start in last Saturday’s Group II BRC Sires Produce was sent around today in the 1615m 2YO maiden.

Sent out a short priced favourite, he made light work of the assignment tracking the leader and surging past to win comfortably.

“He’s a nice horse, but still a bit raw, so he’ll take a lot of confidence out of this,”said Nash Rawiller.

Basquiat will now head to the Group I BRC JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) on Saturday week as will his highly rated stable mate Political Debate, who also missed a start in the Sires last Saturday and was scratched from this maiden event earlier this morning.

Stable representative Brett Killion confirmed Political Debate was also headed to the JJ Atkins, but following a different path.

“I thought he (Basquiat) did enough today, the margin wasn’t big, but the way he did it was encouraging looking forward to the JJ Atkins,” said Killion.

“Political Debate will run this Saturday in the Listed Phoenix Stakes and then back up seven days later to the Atkins.”

Bred by Widden Stud in partnership, Basquiat is the first foal of stakes-winning O’Reilly mare Bonny O’Reilly, who was bought by Widden Stud / David Redvers Bloodstock for $1.2million at the 2019 Magic millions National Broodmare Sale. She is a half-sister to stakes-winner Pretty to Sea and a full sister to the dam of the Waller trained Group III winner Espiona.

It’s a top class family that has produced Group I winners Vision and Power, Glamour Puss and Steps in Time with Basquiat looking to follow in their footsteps.

The Zoustar yearling colt from Bonny O’Reilly sold for $430,000 at Inglis Easter this year and she has an I Am Invincible colt to follow.

Bonny O’Reilly is due to foal to Snitzel this spring, so the progress of Basquiat will be keenly followed by all at Widden Stud!