Widden Hoping for Another Perfect Match

The most expensive and also the equal fastest heat winner at the official Sydney two year-old trials on Monday was the Widden Stud bred and sold $1.55million Zoustar colt Tuscany, whose dam Summer Sham is emerging as a serious producer for the farm to hopefully follow in the footsteps of celebrated Widden blue hen Solar Charged.

A lightly raced winner of the Group II MRC Angus Armanasco Stakes, Not a Single Doubt mare Summer Sham was snapped up by UK bloodstock agent David Redvers at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $650,000 to join the progressive broodmare band at Widden Stud being assembled to support rising star sire Zoustar.

Consigned by Widden as agent to that sale, Summer Sham ticked the boxes of race performance and physical type as well as the added bonus of a huge pedigree claiming blue hen Shantha’s Choice as her third dam with the family renowned for producing Group I winners such as Redoute’s Choice, Manhattan Rain, Platinum Scissors and Shoals.

“We bought her in partnership with Qatar Bloodstock and a couple of other partners as we had seen plenty of her at the farm, so we knew she was a beautiful mare and we loved the look of the mating with Zoustar,” said Antony Thompson.

Summer Sham was purchased in foal to Star Witness, but sadly lost that colt after he was born, but since then it’s been smooth sailing with five consecutive matings to Zoustar producing five lovely foals with the most recent this beautiful bay filly born on August 29.

“She is an outstanding filly and is very similar to her first Zoustar colt Schwarz, who is also bay in colour and a tremendous athlete,” said Thompson.

Schwarz made $1.25million at Magic Millions for Widden in 2022 when bought by Rosemont-Victorian Alliance/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/David Redvers Bloodstock and is trained by John O’Shea. He was a multiple Group and Listed winner last season at three and resumed to win the Group II ATC Missile Stakes last month with connections looking towards the Golden Eagle with the super talented four year-old stallion.

The next foal from Summer Sham is three year-old filly Silver Wedding, who was bought from Widden by Cambridge Stud for $800,000 last year at Inglis Easter and is in the Ciaron Maher stable. She was third on debut at Warwick Farm back in June on a very heavy track and is an acceptor for Warwick Farm on Wednesday in the fillies and mares maiden over 1200m.

Which brings us to her third foal Tuscany, a handsome chestnut that was bought at Inglis Easter this year for $1.55million by the powerful stallion making syndicate China Horse Club / Newgate / Go Bloodstock / Trilogy.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Tuscany was given a patient ride in his 850m trial and finished off with style to surge home and win by half a length in 49.11 seconds.

Heat 1 at the Official Sydney 2YO trials – 49.11

1 – Tuscany (2c Zoustar x Summer Sham) for @GaiWaterhouse1
$1.55mil buy for @Chinahorseclub, @NewgateFarm, @gobloodstockaus & @TrilogyRacing1 from @widdenstud at @inglis_sales Easter.

2 – Tremonti (2c Hellbent x Quachita)

3 -… pic.twitter.com/5wNgdOxmv1

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) September 22, 2024

 

The current yearling from Summer Sham is another striking chestnut colt like Tuscany and he will be headed to the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

“Tuscany was so athletic and had the most amazing movement and the colt for Easter this year is very much in that similar Tuscany mould,” said Antony Tompson.

“Summer Sham will go back to Zoustar again this year. If you find a mating that works and delivers Black Type, it just makes sense to stick to it.

“It’s worked for Solar Charged and hopefully will work for her too.”