Widden Pounce for $1.15million G1 Winner Startantes

Tara Madgwick - Thursday May 9

The Robert Heathcote stable have had a lot of success with the progeny of top producer Funtantes and the best of her four winners is Group I Tatts Tiara winner Startantes, who was snapped up by Widden Stud for $1.15million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on Thursday.

G1 winner Startantes sold for $1.15million .

Consigned on behalf of Robert Heathcote by Newgate, Startantes is the best performer to date for her sire Star Turn and won six races with nearly $1million in prizemoney with two Group I placings to go with her Tiara victory.

She was bred and raced by Heathcote and his family, who were thrilled with the result.

“She’s gone to a great home and will get every opportunity at Widden,” said Heathcote.

“I’ve still got so much of this family at home. I got pictures today from the breaker at Washpool Lodge as her yearling brother is getting broken in right now.”

Advertisement

Startantes appeals as a perfect partner for Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar.

“She was a gun two year-old that stepped it up again at three and nearly won two Group I’s,” said Antony Thompson.

“We though she was ideal for Zoustar. She comes from a family that Robert Heathcote has developed and it’s a very fast running family where they all win multiple races.

“She’s by Star Turn, who we bred and sold by our sire Star Witness, so we know that side of the family well and we think she’s a perfect fit for us.”

Advertisment
More Reading...
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
Investing in Fillies Can Pay Big Dividends
We saw it earlier this month at Inglis Chairman’s Sale and we saw it again this week, purchasing yearling fillies that can perform to a high level has the potential to yield a big pay day in the sale ring, so let’s take a closer look.
New Classic Prospect and New Aussie 2YO Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Group III JRA Derby Trial (2000m) at Baden Baden in Germany overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett (GB) with lightly raced colt Juwelier staking a claim for classic success.
Inglis Internship applications open
An opportunity to work with Australia’s most progressive thoroughbred auction house has become available through the renowned Inglis Internship program.
$2.1million Frankel Mare - Samantha Miss Legacy Ignites MM National
Back in 2009, the most expensive mare sold in Australia was Champion 3YO Filly Samantha Miss, who was bought by John Singleton for $3.85million and today at the Magic Millions National Sale two of her daughters sold for $2.1million and $1.25million, both going to Yulong.
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Yulong Top Buyers List as MM National Mares Concludes
The beautifully related Group performer Call Di has topped the second and final day of the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast selling for $2.1million.
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).