G1 Winning Zoustar Mare Confirmed for MM National

Media Release - Friday March 28

Group One winning sprinter Climbing Star is the latest highlight entry confirmed for May's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast.

Advertisement

Described by trainer Phillip Stokes as the "sweetest mover I have ever had the pleasure of training," Climbing Star will be out to enhance her race record prior to being offered through the Widden Stud draft on the Gold Coast.

Stokes confirmed the outstanding daughter of Zoustar will aim to defend her Robert Sangster Stakes title at the end of April before she is sold.

Climbing Star wins the G1 Sangster Stakes.

Last year the explosive sprinter won the Group One Sangster at Morphettville in a field packed of quality - those behind included Learning to Fly, Benedetta, I Am Me, Stretan Angel, Estriella, Zapateo, Skew Wiff and Roots. 

In September she was also close up in the Manikato Stakes won by Southport Tycoon where she was ahead of Group One winners Veight and Jimmysstar and just half a length from I Wish I Win. Earlier in her career she blitzed her rivals in a dominant Listed Matrice Stakes success.

Climbing Star has always been held in high regard by Stokes and after falling in love with her at the sales he was determined to have her in his stable. 

Climbing Star was a stunning looking yearling.

"I went to $600,000 to buy her as a yearling because she was a stand out on type and conformation, and I trained her half brother Sansom to multiple stakes success and nine wins in total, so I was well aware of the strength in her pedigree," Stokes pointed out. 

"After winning on debut we had no hesitation in stepping her up to stakes level at her second start and she has gone on to prove herself to be a mare of the highest calibre, capturing Group One success in last year's Sangster Stakes."

"She has a great attitude and is very sound – two traits which have enabled her to race competitively at the elite level throughout her career."

"We are looking forward to her defending her Sangster Stakes crown at the end of April," Stokes added.

By Widden Stud's super sire Zoustar, Climbing Star is a half sister to Stokes' nine time winner and half a million dollar earner Sansom - himself a multiple Group race winner.

Climbing Star's dam, the winning Fastnet Rock Rock mare Bryony, is a sister to Group One winner Heroic Valour and half sister to Doncaster winner Triple Honour. 

“We are delighted to present Climbing Star on behalf of her ownership group," Widden's Antony Thompson said. "Having been raised and sold by Widden as a yearling it is a thrill to be able to sell her for a second time, now as a Group One winner."

"Climbing Star was a standout on the farm since the day she was born and she is now a magnificent mare that epitomises all of Zoustar's qualities."

In addition to Climbing Star, Widden will present multiple Group Three winner Drifting (Zousain) and two-year-old Group Two winner Lazzago (Capitalist) who is in foal to Zoustar.

"They will complement the quality of the Widden draft at this year's Magic Millions National Sale," Thompson added.

Entries for the 2025 Magic Millions National Sale, across weanlings, racefillies, broodmares and yearlings, are closing now and those interested in presenting their stock to a global audience should contact a member of the Magic Millions Bloodstock Team.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Racing’s Night of Champions August 28
45 of the top horses in Australia will be recognised for outstanding performances during the 2024/2025 racing season at Racing’s Night of Champions.
Zoustar Entering the Zenith
The dictionary tells us Zenith is an astronomical term —describing the highest point in an arc travelled by a star, planet or another celestial body- and in the case of this story it’s planet Zoustar!
Extremely Good Week!
It’s been a memorable week for Star Thoroughbreds having sold their multiple Group winning mare Olentia for $2.6million and then the purple and white stars were back in the winner’s circle at Canterbury on Wednesday carried by 3YO Extreme Choice colt Estremo.
Melbourne Cup on Radar for Sons and Lovers
Joseph O’Brien knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup and that was mentioned as a possible goal for progressive young stayer Sons and Lovers, who won the Group III Ballyroan Stakes (1m4f) at Leopardstown overnight.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 7
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Foal for Hilal Delights Grangewilliam Stud
The first foal by Grangewilliam Stud’s Group Two winner and multiple Group One performer Hilal arrived on Thursday morning with a filly born out of the well-related No Nay Never mare La Frox.
A Family Affair - Russian Camelot Filly Salutes at Sandown
Danny O’Brien enjoyed Group I success with outstanding colt Russian Camelot (IRE), so was understandably excited to produce his first metropolitan winner as a sire at Sandown on Wednesday and Censori comes from a family that he knows inside and out.
Wootton Bassett Set to Blast Out of Winter
Many people may have anticipated Wootton Bassett (GB) would have been our Champion Australian First Season Sire last season and while that didn’t quite eventuate, he did finish the season with a wealth of horses holding spring potential and several were in action at the trials this morning.
First Godolphin Winner for Maher
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher saddled his first winner for Godolphin at Kembla on Thursday and he did it with a blue-blood colt by Too Darn Hot (GB).
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 6
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.