Australia’s reigning champion sire Zoustar is renowned for the racetrack exploits of his progeny and also the high prices they command in the sale ring, but not all of them are expensive and Bennett Racing found value when they bid just $150,000 to secure one of his colts from Widden Stud at Magic Millions in 2021.
Six year-old Zoustar gelding Zou Sensation has been in hot form this year and he finished it on a high with a tenacious victory in the Listed VRC Kensington Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on New Year’s Eve.
Prepared by the Corstens/ Larking training partnership and ridden by Jamie Melham, Zou Sensation gave a good kick at the furlong and proved impossible to catch with Steparty trying hard before going down by a long neck with race favourite Persian Spirit in third place.
“He’s a very, very tough horse and he was a dream to ride today,” said Jamie Melham.
“With age he’s getting more manageable and it all worked out perfect. He’s had a very good prep and he just keeps fronting up day in and day out, so credit to him and to the team.”
Zou Sensation was a $150,000 Magic Millions purchase from Widden Stud for Bennett Racing and has the overall record of nine wins and nine placings from 32 starts with prizemoney topping $1million.
Bred by Qatar Bloodstock and foaled and raised at Widden, Zou Sensation is the best of four winners from five foals to race from stakes-winning Danehill Dancer (IRE) mare Dame Claire.
Bennett Racing also have the three-quarter sister to Zou Sensation paying $110,000 at Magic Millions in 2024 for Zousain filly Zouclaire, who has been placed twice from a handful of starts.
Dame Claire has changed hands a couple of times in recent years and produced a filly by Brutal in October.
Widden will present a sensational draft of 65 for Magic Millions and 11 are by reigning champion sire Zoustar and as Zou Sensation has shown, not all of his yearlings will be expensive!
