In these uncertain times with social distancing and lockdowns in place it is unfortunate that we are unable to present, what I believe is our best ever Easter Yearling draft to the buyers at Riverside Stables - This does however present a great opportunity as buyers will very much hold the upper hand at the Easter online auction conducted on the 5th to the 8th of April.
Widden Stud’s entire 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling draft will be for sale at this online auction with no withdrawals or lots having been sold previously.
“We are proud to present a stunning selection of 26 yearlings by a wide range of the best sires including our own big guns Zoustar and Sebring.
“The Inglis Easter sale is without a doubt one of the best and most successful sources of high quality bloodstock in the world and we’re confident we have a draft that is befitting a sale of this calibre,” said Antony Thompson.
“This is a sale that combines the best pedigrees in the Australian Studbook with the best physical types that buyers are looking for and the Widden draft is no exception.
“This sale may also be the opportunity of a lifetime to secure some of our most prized yearlings at reduced prices, diamonds will always be valuable but if you get a chance to buy diamonds at a discount don’t miss it.”
Zoustar has five yearlings in our draft and the undisputed highlight is of course the full brother (Lot 212) to Champion 3YO Filly and three time Group I winner of $6.5million, Sunlight as well as Group III winner Sisstar.
“In our opinion, he’s the best stallion prospect seen at a sale all year,” Thompson stated.
“He’s a stunning colt that lives up to his pedigree on type. He’s the closest thing to Sunlight on appearance than any other foal she’s had – which includes her Group III winning full sister Sisstar.
“He’s just an outstanding colt in every way.”
Sebring also has five in the draft and his colt from Group I winner Bonaria (Lot 353) is something special.
“He’s a serious colt and highlights a very successful nick between Sebring and Redoute’s Choice that has already achieved Group I success through MRC Thousand Guineas winner Amphitrite with other Group winners bred this, way being Kiss a Rose, Wu Gok, Violate and Broadband.” Thompson revealed.
Some of our star fillies include Lot 391, a Snitzel filly from stakes-placed I Am Invincible mare Comprende Lot 155, a Star Witness filly from Ready as Elle, Lot 43, a Zoustar filly from Lucky Angel, Lot 336, a Capitalist filly from Atmospherical, Lot 488, a Savabeel filly from Honey Rider (NZ) and lot 502, I Am Invincible filly from Intimate Moment (NZ).
Whilst we will miss seeing you at the sale, we are here to assist with photos, videos, vet reports and any other information you require so that you don’t look back in a few years kicking yourself for missing such an amazing opportunity.
Zousain to Join Widden Roster in 2020
Our young champion sire Zoustar has built an impressive record with his oldest progeny just four year-olds and his best colt to date in Zousain will join the Widden roster in 2020.
A stunning colt that is a mirror image of his sire, Zousain was prepared by champion trainer Chris Waller, who also put the polish on his sire.
A debut metropolitan winner at two, Zousain closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II BRC Moet and Chandon Stakes (1200m) and was second beaten a neck by The Autumn Sun in the Group I BRC TJ Smith (1600m).
His three year-old career was highlighted by two agonizingly close defeats in major Group I races finishing second beaten a short neck by The Autumn Sun in the Group I ATC Golden Rose (1400m) and second to champion filly Sunlight beaten half a neck in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
If either of those second placings had been wins, Zousain would be standing at a far greater fee than he will be this year.
A $400,000 Magic Million yearling, Zousain has superb conformation and Group I ability coupled with a diverse European female family, his dam being imported Irish bred Group III winner Pasar Silbano IRE).
The long term success of any stud rests to a large extent with finding the right successor to their champion sires and in Zousain we believe we have the right horse for the job.
Sale Ring Success for Nicconi
As the sire of Australia’s premier sprinter Nature Strip and three other stakes-winners this season, Nicconi is doing everything that could be asked of him on the racetrack and that success is being reflected in the sale ring in 2020.
Nicconi has had 15 yearlings sell this year for in excess of $100,000 and his average for all yearlings sold is more than six times his 2017 service fee providing a sensational result for breeders.
Best result so far for Nicconi this year was a colt from Poison Ivy that fetched $370,000 for Newhaven Park at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
A powerful well-made bay very much in the mould of his sire, the half-brother to stakes-winner Lotion and four other winners was bought by Andrew Noblet Racing.
“I liked a lot about him. He’s very athletic, was a good mover and loose walker,” said Andrew Noblet.
“I trained his half- sister and had a very good opinion of her, but unfortunately we lost her at the end of last year, so I was very keen to get another one out of the mare into the stable.”
Another big result for Nicconi came at Inglis Premier when a filly from Lady Amanda made $260,000 for Blue Gum Farm when bought by G Tao.
Nicconi stood for the increased fee of $38,500 last spring and covered 113 mares, so it will be onwards and upwards for this well proven source of stakes-winners.
Widden Whinnies see the full draft with video for every lot here.
