Widden Stud Victoria launched officially with an open day at the Romsey farm on Sunday featuring a parade of stallions including newcomers Russian Camelot (IRE) and Doubtland as well as proven Group I sires Nicconi and Star Witness, who have transferred from the Hunter Valley.
Melbourne Cup winning trainer Danny O’Brien put the polish on former Champion Two and Three Year Old Star Witness, who has gone on to become a Group I sire for Widden Stud.
O’Brien was a guest at Widden Victoria on Sunday and has no doubt his dual Group I winner Russian Camelot has what it takes to succeed as a sire.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him, he was the best looking horse I’d ever seen, I still think that every day when I see him,” O’Brien said.
“He was just so precocious from the moment we started galloping him, he was literally the best horse we had.”
Not a Single Doubt’s brilliant Group II winning son Doubtland impressed the crowd with Wayne Hawkes and William Pike on hand to offer their endorsement.
“As a yearling when he walked out, we just went wow, John Hawkes said he is the best looking yearling I’ve seen all year,” Wayne Hawkes said.
“When you’re training horses there’s one thing you need and that’s attitude, look how quiet and relaxed he is.”
William partnered Doutland when he won the Group II VRC Danehill Stakes (1200m) up the Flemington straight.
“He was electric in the Danehill Stakes, he made me look good,” Pike enthused.
Star Witness has sired the winners of over $5.5million this season including four stakes-winners.
Nicconi has sired the winners of over $7.2 million including three stakes-winners headed by his Australian Horse of the Year Nature Strip.
