Widden Stud Secure G1 Winner Bonny Lass on Gavelhouse

Media Release - Friday May 16

Group One-winning mare Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) will head across the Tasman after being bought by Widden Stud for $480,000 on Gavelhouse Plus on Thursday with a likely visit to Southport Tycoon later this year at Widden Victoria .

Bonny Lass was a Group winner as a two, three, four, five and six-year-old for owner-breeder Sandy Moore, co-owners Brent and Wendy Cooper and the Social Racing Starting Gates Syndicate.

G1 winner Bonny Lass is packing her bags for Widden Stud!

From the stable of Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, her 26-race career produced eight wins, eight placings and $774,950 in stakes.

Widden Stud principal Antony Thompson was thrilled to secure another quality mare with Group One racetrack credentials like Bonny Lass.

“Her two and three-year-old form was what really drew us to her,” Thompson said.

“She raced on as an older horse and continued to perform well while being reasonably lightly raced, but when you delve into her two-year-old form, she won her first couple of starts very impressively including a Group Two. She followed that up with two very solid Group One placings against some high-quality opposition, like I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) and Sword Of State (Snitzel).

“Her ability to compete against the boys in some of those top-level sprints showed that she’s a mare with plenty of class.

Advertisement

“We weren’t able to inspect her physically ourselves, but we benefited from some high-quality photos and videos. I’m also a friend of the Bakers at Hallmark Stud, and I could rely on Mark’s feedback. He was very forthcoming in his description of the mare and really gave me the confidence to bid on her.”

Bonny Lass is headed to visit Southport Tycoon.

Bonny Lass is set to be a high-quality addition to the first book of mares for Southport Tycoon, who will stand at Widden Victoria next spring for an introductory service fee of A$38,500. The son of Written Tycoon won four races including the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) and Manikato Stakes (1200m).

“I bought Bonny Lass with Southport Tycoon in mind,” Thompson said. “I thought she’d be a lovely sort of mare for his first book. He’s a Group One-winning sprinter and Guineas winner. She seems like a good fit.

“There’s a bit to work with on the pedigree side of things too, with Bonny Lass having Darci Brahma and Danehill along the top line, along with Centaine. For a young horse at stud, she appeals as a nice mare to help him get started.”

Entries are now open on Gavelhouse Plus for the National Online Breeding Stock Sale to be held from 27th June to 9th July and are also open for gavelhouse.com’s next fortnightly mixed bloodstock sale.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Five Lots Announced for Tattersalls Online Barrier Trials Pop-Up Sale
Tattersalls Online, Europe’s leading online thoroughbred sales platform, will break new ground when offering for auction five lots who took part in the ITM Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Leopardstown Racecourse earlier this week. The sale which takes place on 3rd – 4th September can be viewed on the Tattersalls Online website www.tattersallsonline.com.
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
Too Darn Hot nomination realises $255,000 in August (Late) Sale
A nomination in exceptional young stallion Too Darn Hot has topped today’s Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale, selling for $255,000.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
2025 NZB Ready to Run Catalogue Online - World’s Most Successful 2YO Sale
The catalogue for the 2025 edition of the leading sale of two-year-olds is now online and in mailboxes, with NZB excited to unveil another stellar offering at the Ready to Run Sale.