Gold Standard Joins Widden Stud Victoria

Media Release - Friday May 27

Following the announcement that former Spendthrift Australia sires Dirty Work and Overshare would be taking up stud duties at their Riddells Creek property this season, Widden Victoria are delighted to announce that Gold Standard will also be joining the ranks.

Gold Standard will move to Widden Stud Victoria.

Widden have purchased the attractive son of Sebring in partnership with Hesket Thoroughbreds, who recently acquired Spendthrift Australia, and this promising young sire will continue his stud career in Victoria.

“Although there was a high level of interest in Gold Standard from a number of major farms, we view the partnership in this lightly raced but highly talented horse as an exciting opportunity to strengthen our association with Widden Victoria,” said Hesket’s David Moodie.

A Group II winner of the ATC Stan Fox Stakes, where he defeated Group I winners Trapeze Artist, The Mission and Ace High, Gold Standard bears a strong resemblance to his Golden Slipper-winning sire and has made a big impression with his first two year-olds this season.

“He is a replica of Sebring, so we’ve always had an interest in him and with two legitimate stakes horses from just five runners he has made an incredible start to his stud career,” said Antony Thompson.

Gold Standard stood for just $5,500 in his first season and has already produced two winners and two place-getters from only five starters, highlighted by stakes-winner Sheeza Belter and stakesplaced Golden Queen.

Advertisement

“His incredible start at stud is highlighted by 20% stakes winners to runners and 40% stakes horses to runners, making him the leading first season sire by stakes performers. He’s tracking a similar trajectory to Extreme Choice and Rebel Dane with a phenomenal start from limited numbers,” Moodie went on to say.

Sheeza Belter, now trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, ran a good third most recently in the Group III Ken Russell Memorial Classic at the Gold Coast, while Golden Queen finished second in the Listed Woodlands Stud Stakes at Scone for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Both fillies look to be strong contenders this Saturday, Sheeza Belter an acceptor for the $1million Group II BRC Sires Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm and Golden Queen for the open juvenile event at Randwick.

Gold Standard is priced at $8,800.

Gold Standard offers the potential of considerable upside for the future and at a fee of $8,800 inc. GST, provides breeders speed and versatility for outstanding value.

Advertisment
More Reading...
MRC locks in leadership as Tanya Fullarton named CEO and Jonathan Munz joins as Vice Chairman
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed two major leadership appointments, naming Tanya Fullarton as Chief Executive Officer and leading business person, owner, and breeder Jonathan Munz as Vice Chairman.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Four heats for juveniles run at Warwick Farm on Friday and we saw winners by Trapeze Artist, Tassort, Exceed and Excel and first season sire Wild Ruler, while from a pedigree perspective a Godolphin filly that ran second was the obvious highlight.
Henry Dwyer Secures Top Lot on Day 4 Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
Promising Wootton Bassett two-year-old SKIATHOS topped the fourth day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at 150,000 guineas with robust trade resulting in a clearance rate of 90% for the session. Turnover for the sale exceeded 33,000,000 guineas for only the fourth time in its history with a fifth and final session still to come on Friday, followed immediately by the Tattersalls Aut
VRC Oaks contender headlines November (Early) Online Sale
An exciting opportunity is presented in the Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale next week when a share in a runner bound for Thursday’s $1m G1 VRC Oaks is offered.
Yulong Purchase into Star Kiwi Trained Filly
Yulong has purchased a 50 percent share in outstanding prospect Well Written with welcome news that she will remain in the care of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh for the rest of her racing career.
Blueblooded Dual Group-winning 2YO Bodyguard to Stand at Armidale Stud
Armidale Stud is proud to announce the addition of three-year-old colt Bodyguard to its stallion roster.
Tabitha Ridley-Thomas Joins Magic Millions Bloodstock Team
Australia's leading thoroughbred auctioneer Magic Millions has boosted it's impressive Bloodstock Team with news Tabitha Ridley-Thomas has this week joined the company.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 30
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes
Derby Day! It's the race day for purists, when the biggest and best pedigrees tend to be on show, and their merits are tested over all distances.
Go Racing Hoping for Big Day at Randwick
New Zealand syndicator Go Racing will be out to plunder the riches on offer at Randwick on Saturday, with their silks to be represented in two of the meeting’s key races.