Widden Stud are thrilled to announce a new partnership with WinStar Farm in North America that will see record breaking Group I-winning sprinter Cogburn (USA) shuttle to Australia in 2025.
Acclaimed as the fastest horse in the world following his win this year in the Group I Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga on the turf over five and a half furlongs when he set a North American and world record time of 59.80seconds, Cogburn has a unique brand of speed.
"I've had some of the fastest horses in the world, some of the fastest horses of all time, and he's still the first one I've ever had run 5 1/2 furlongs in under a minute,” said his trainer Steve Asmussen - Champion US Trainer.
“Five and a half furlongs in under a minute, it’s just hard to even get your head wrapped around that.”
A winner at two, Cogburn has improved with every season on the track and is achieving his peak potential with three breathtaking wins from three starts this year which will see him start even money favourite in the Group I Breeders Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar next month.
"He's unbelievably impressive. He's an absolutely different horse since being switched to the turf.” said Asmussen.
“We moved him to the turf because I didn't feel that he had met his potential the way that he had trained. He'd run solid on the dirt, but we expected better from him. Then, we moved him to the turf, gave him a freshening and he's come back an absolute monster.”
Widden Stud has charted a path into a new era of success this century through astute selection of stallions such as Northern Meteor, Sebring and Zoustar and Antony Thompson is excited to introduce the fresh blood of Cogburn into the mix.
“Australia is renowned for elite speed on turf and Cogburn’s stats are undeniably up there with the very best of our sprinters.” said Thompson.
“In recent times we have been offered and considered many shuttle opportunities, but never actively pursued them until Cogburn - he’s a horse we chased, a physical powerhouse who I believe will make a meaningful impact on Australian racing.
“We’re over the moon about his arrival, and it’s been a great honour working with WinStar, one of the world’s most distinguished stud farms, to shuttle Cogburn to Australia.”
“Aside from his astonishing win in the Jaipur Stakes, Cogburn has also clocked brilliant times on the turf over five furlongs (1006m in 55.49 seconds) and six furlongs (1207m in 1:07.68 seconds) which compare favourably with our superstar sprinters,” Thompson added.
Cogburn’s five and a half furlong (1106m) world record time is quite incredible with the track record over 1100m at Flemington being 1.02.15, Caulfield 1.01.73 and Rosehill 1.02.51. Black Caviar is the only Australian sprinter to record a faster time over 1000m in 55.42 when winning the 2013 Group I VRC Lighting Stakes, while the Randwick course record over 1200m is a time of 1:07.32 and The Flemington track record over 1200m a time of 1:07.17.
“We are delighted to announce a partnership with Widden Stud on Cogburn, the fastest horse in the world. We shuttled More Than Ready for many years, and I think Cogburn has a big chance down under. I was in awe of his performance in the Jaipur and his balance and conformation are spectacular and his type will suit the Australian market. Being by Not This Time, and having tremendous speed, he is a great fit for Australian breeders. Standing alongside Zoustar at a historic farm like Widden, we couldn’t be more excited,” Elliott Walden President & CEO of WinStar Farm.
Cogburn is by one of the hottest young sires in North America.
“Cogburn is one of six Group I winners by Not This Time who is regarded as one of the most exciting young sires in North America, attracting comparisons to champion Australian sire I Am Invincible, for his meteoric rise at Taylor Made Stallions - starting off from a modest fee of $15,000 when he went to stud in 2017 his fee has since rocketed to $175,000,” said Thompson.
“His first crop that are now six year-olds produced 17 stakes-winners and his second crop produced 12 stakes-winners with his current crop of two year-olds including his first Royal Ascot winner Shareholder, winner of the Group II Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs.”
With nearly 70% winners to runners and 11% SW to runners, Not This Time has sired the winners of over $10.7million in North America this year highlighted by 11 stakes-winners.
His overwhelming racetrack performance has spilled over into the sales arena in spectacular fashion. Not This Time had the highest priced yearling colt at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale this year selling for $3.4 million and has had additional yearlings in 2024 sell for $1.3million, $1.15 million, $1 million etc for an average of $372,895 off a $75,000 service fee in 2022.
Not This Time represents the Storm Cat sireline through champion racehorse and sire Giant’s Causeway, who has spawned a hugely successful sire dynasty that has also achieved widespread success in Europe on the turf through his champion son Shamardal and his myriad of sire sons headed by Lope De Vega.
The deal between WinStar and Widden was brokered by Bradley Weisbord and Will Johnson.
