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...
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.