Widden Stud Secure Melody Belle Half-Sister

Widden Stud have a new addition to their broodmare band after purchasing Te Akau Racing mare Exaltation with a $560,000 final bid on Gavelhouse Plus on Friday night.

Described by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM as one of the nicest types he’s bought at Karaka, the Not A Single Doubt half sister to 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle attracted plenty of interest from the outset, hitting her $300,000 reserve on Wednesday.

Starting the final day of the auction at $410,000, steady bidding throughout the day saw her climb another $140,000 with 13 individual bidders participating throughout the five days.

“She ticks a lot of boxes that we look for in a potential broodmare. She’s a half to a champion mare in Melody Belle, by a leading sire, and was purchased by a very good judge in David Ellis for $900,000 as a yearling,” Widden Stud’s Finance Manager Andrew Swales said.

“She’s an ideal candidate for Zoustar. Widden had great success recently with a yearling bred on the same cross, realising $1.25 million to the Victorian Alliance. Here’s hoping lightning can strike twice.”

In-foal to Champion Sire Savabeel having been mated in early November and racing on to go out in winning fashion last month over 2000m, Exaltation won five of her 15 starts over distances from 1200m to 2000m while placing on three occasions.

“It’s great she’s going to such an iconic stud. I’ve been to Widden and it’s a truly remarkable farm where I’m sure she will get every chance,” Ellis said.

“I look forward to inspecting her progeny in the coming years.”