What Could Have Been

Tara Madgwick - Sunday August 20

He stood for just four seasons, but what a lasting legacy this stallion is leaving.

Widden Stud have stood many champion sires over the years, but in modern times Northern Meteor stands as a stallion we would all love to have seen a lot more of.

Northern Meteor stood at Widden between 2009 - 2012 - RIP.

By champion sire Encosta de Lago from a female family tracing in tail female line to Rough Shod, whose descendants include legendary sires Sadler’s Wells and Nureyev, Northern Meteor was always held in high regard.

He retired lightly raced after winning the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes and in his first crop produced two colts that would go on to become champion sires in Zoustar and the now sadly pensioned Deep Field.

Zoustar and Deep Field are now both looking to extend the sire dynasty through their myriad of sire sons, but it’s the daughters of Northern Meteor that were making news last Saturday.

Advertisement

He sired the dams of two exciting stakes-winners that are headed on Group I paths this spring in Buenos Noches and Charm Stone.

Buenos Noches won the Group III ATC Show County Quality (1200m) and will look to secure an Everest start.

Charm Stone won the Group III MRC Quezette Stakes (1100m) and will head towards the Group[ I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes and possibly the Golden Rose.

Northern Meteor sired 24 stakes-winners from his four crops to race with six of those SW’s Group I winners and as a broodmare sire has produced the dams of 10 stakes-winners so far with Group I ATC Randwick Guineas winner Communist the best of them.

Advertisment
More Reading...
G1 3YOs - Where the Real Action Is
2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.
Istataba adds international flavour to National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Buyers can currently bid on 11 stakes-performed mares in the National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, including one that brings South American bloodlines and Singaporean racetrack performance.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Many Pedigree Paths Lead to Helen Street
Jane Henning of Pedigree Dynamics offers her thoughts on an Irish Oaks winner that has become a remarkable producer and is now emerging as a great candidate for line breeding.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 1
Here is the full list of 8 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Levakia Adds to Good Week for Curraghmore
Emerging filly Levakia has given Curraghmore further cause for celebration.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
G1 Older Sprinters- Are Our Sprinters the Best in the World?
The Australian G1 season has concluded and there were 23 Group I races won by older horses at a distance less than 1600m, but one race that fits the category but is yet to be given G1 status is the $10million Golden Eagle (1500m) and form out of it would suggest it was the best of them all.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 30
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.