Ahead of the upcoming breeding season, Widden Stud has unveiled its 2025 service fees across a diverse roster of 20 stallions, split between its NSW and Victorian bases, with flagship sire Zoustar to stand again at $275,000 (inc. GST). Zoustar was the world’s leading sire of winners in 2024 and continues in the same vein this year, with 12 Australian stakes winners including Group 1 stars Joliestar and Schwarz. His progeny have already earned more than $20 million this season. At the 2024 Inglis Easter Sale, Zoustar yearlings were in hot demand – 26 fetched $500,000 or more, with the top lot, a Widden-bred filly from The Actuary, making $2.6 million. “Zoustar is a champion sire for both the racetrack and sale ring,” said Antony Thompson. “His progeny have the precocity Australian buyers expect, along with the constitution to train on, as shown by Joliestar and Schwarz this season.” Widden has also prioritised value for budget-conscious breeders. Zousain remains at $27,500, Written By stays at $22,000, and Portland Sky drops slightly to $16,500 following a strong debut with yearlings selling up to $320,000. “Yearlings by Zousain, Written By, and Portland Sky delivered great results off modest fees,” said Matt Comerford. Rebel Dane, Supido and Gold Standard – all priced below $10,000 – have already made major impacts, siring Group 1 winners like Fireburn, Buenos Noches and Sheeza Belter. Broader support from breeders puts all three in strong positions to progress. Fees have been reduced for proven performers such as Trapeze Artist, Russian Camelot (IRE), Jacquinot, Bruckner, and Nicconi. Meanwhile, emerging sires Dirty Work, Doubtland and Anders – all standing at $13,200 – have made promising starts, each siring multiple winners from relatively small crops. Two newcomers join the2025 roster: dual Group 1 winner Southport Tycoon, who Antony Thompson sees as a natural Written Tycoon successor, and US speedster Cogburn, the fastest horse in the world in 2024. “Cogburn is by Not This Time, one of North America’s most exciting sires, now standing for $US175,000,” revealed Thompson. The full line-up by state, all GST inclusive, is below:
Trainer Stoked With His Sangster Chances
Thursday, 24th April 2025
Having won the race twice in the past four years with Instant Celebrity (Not A Single Doubt) in 2021 followed by defending winner Climbing Star (Zoustar) last year, who also backs up again this year, trainer Phillip Stokes goes into the $1m Gr1 Robert Sangster Stakes with two undeniable chances. Having finished no further back than fourth in her last four starts, all in top notch Victorian Group 1 sprints, 4YO Stretan Angel (Harry Angel-Stretan, by Bernardini) is yet to win at the elite level, but if her recent form is anything to go by, then she is thoroughly deserving of the prize. Having finished sixth last year behind stablemate Climbing Star, the then 3YO was coming into the race in very inferior form to this year, and from barrier 10, the Thomas Stockdale ridden, $64,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale graduate should look the winner at some stage in the straight if she can secure clear running. The conditions of the race see Climbing Star carry the same weight as last year, and although she has not won a race since her triumph 12 months prior, she did produce a solid effort last start in the Gr3 R N Irwin Stakes to finish third, and interestingly she finished second last year in the same race. Winning the Irwin Stakes was the Henry Dwyer-trained Asfoora (Flying Artie-Golden Child, by I Am Invincible) who was having her first start since finishing fourth in the Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes in August last year as part of her international tour which netted success in the Gr1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot. Stretching out to the 1200m, a distance she is yet to win at, the mare will likely head back to Ascot if all goes well in her Australian runs.
Stretan Angel is in better form than a year ago (pic: Mark Gatt)
Australasian Oaks Appears an Open Contest
Thursday, 24th April 2025
Often a wide-open market each year as many of the fillies are either dropping back from harder races or are stepping up in class – this year's $1m Gr1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) appears no different. Finishing just over a length off multiple Group 1-winning 3YO filly Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) in the Gr1 Vinery Stud Stakes last time out, the Glen Thompson (former Michael Moroney) trained Benagil (Manhattan Rain-Des Moines, by War) is the current race favourite off some solid form. If you look at the last six winners of the race, none of them raced in the same equivalent race the start prior, although two had contested the Alexandria Stakes at Moonee Valley in their last few starts enroute to the Oaks. The G Waterhouse & A Bott trained pair of Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot-Enbihaar, by Magnus) and Phenom (Zoustar-Saga Of The Storm, by Real Saga) come through the Alexandria Stakes having finished second and third but the market here has them quite separated, suggesting that Too Darn Lizzie is the one. Phenom has since come to Adelaide where she contested the Gr3 Auraria Stakes (1800m), finishing a solid third with both Cinch (Dundeel-Eye for Fun, by Snitzel) and All Kinds Of Folk (D'Argento-She Brings Hope, by Sebring) which finished ahead of her all, also appearing leading chances for Saturday's race. Having trained two winners of the race in the past with Toffee Tongue (Tavistock) and Egg Tart (Sebring), trainer C J Waller will saddle up last start Mornington Guineas winner Movin Out (Staphanos-Wahaha, by Stravinsky) for Yulong. Although well beaten two starts back (by more than 13 lengths) behind Treasurethe Moment, the filly is a Group 1 performer in New Zealand, and while she may not be up to the class here, you can never discount either Waller or Yulong in the feature races.
Mill Park Stud Chasing Another Chairman's
Thursday, 24th April 2025
Often used as a final lead up run to the Gr1 South Australian Derby on May 3, only one runner in Saturday's 16 strong Gr3 Chairman's Stakes (2000m) field can lay claim to having elite level form. That boast belongs to last year's Gr1 VRC Derby (2500m) winner Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah-Glam Guru, by Medaglia D'Oro) – see below – who was also good enough to finish third this time in when contesting the Gr1 Australian Guineas over 1600m. Disappointing in two runs in Sydney – maybe he just didn't appreciate the clockwise direction – there has been a change of jockey in Jason Holder who rode him to success in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) at this track back in the spring. If you ignore his two Sydney runs, and assuming all is fine with him, then the level weights condition of the race should see the Mill Park-raised and Andrew Gluyas-trained colt more than capable of bringing home the prize. If successful, Goldrush Guru will join fellow Mill Park graduates Dalasan, Waging War, Gamblin' Guru, Rebel Raider and Mummify as previous winners of the race. A half-length second last time out with Jamie Melham aboard, who is continuing her association with the gelding, the Godolphin-bred and raced Lavalier (Microphone-Accessories, by Singspiel) is an extremely interesting commodity. If successful, Lavalier will become the third individual Group 1 winner for his dam, and sixth stakes winner overall, joining the likes of Epaulette, Helmet, Pearls, Bullbars (the sire of Mr Brightside) and Pericles. The mare only had one more foal before retiring, and that is the rising 2YO filly Dragonfly Brooch (Ghaiyyath).
Two For Munz in Queen Of The South Stakes
Thursday, 24th April 2025
Likely to start one of the favoured runners off the back of consecutive race wins, the Grahame Begg-trained Zloties (Snitzel-Polska, by Encosta de Lago) has yet to race at the Morphettville track, but with four wins and three placed efforts from eight starts, the 5YO is a consistent commodity. Ridden by regular jockey Jordan Childs, the Jonathan Munz home-bred has drawn barrier 10 in the 15-horse field which should not pose too much of an issue as she has come from back in the field in the past. Third last start in the Listed City of Adelaide Stakes, Munz's second runner Episodic (Tavistock-Pikea, by Anabaa) is trained in South Australia by Will Clarken and Niki O'Shea and has recorded success at Morphettville in the past. While the New Zealand-bred 5YO is probably an outsider in the field, she has produced some solid runs of late and is not without a chance. Making her second appearance at Morphettville after finishing second in last year's Gr1 Australasian Oaks, the Gregory Hickman-trained Private Legacy (The Autumn Sun-Private Secretary, by Husson) was slightly disappointing last time out when beaten four lengths in the Gr2 Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill, but she is an elite level performer and deserve her chance here with Ben Melham in the saddle.
Elite MM National Broodmare Line-Up Online
Thursday, 24th April 2025
Australia’s biggest and most commercial breeding stock auction is set to shine again, with the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale – now online – offering a wealth of opportunity across two action-packed days on May 27 and 28. From elite racetrack talent to impeccably bred mares in foal to the country’s most in-demand sires, the 524-lot catalogue is being hailed as one of the most comprehensive ever assembled. Among the headline acts are 10 individual Group 1 winners, with seven arriving fresh from the racetrack. Buyers will have access to top-tier talent including Zougotcha, Atishu, Climbing Star, Belclare, Molly Bloom, Socks Nation and Campionessa. Notably, 140 black type performers have been catalogued – 51 of them straight off the track – and that figure is expected to rise with the addition of supplementary entries. The auction's second day, which focuses on broodmares, boasts three Group 1-winning mares in foal to either Yarraman Park Stud’s I Am Invincible or Widden Stud’s Zoustar. They’re joined by proven producers and impeccably bred mares from many of the Southern Hemisphere’s most desirable bloodlines. “The catalogue is world class,” said Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch. “This will again be Australia’s biggest and most commercial sale of its kind. There is such depth to the catalogue from the racefillies on Day One through to the broodmares on Day Two.” Bowditch highlighted the strength of the sires represented among the in-foal mares. “The covering sires in the National Broodmare Sale read like a who’s who of the industry – young and highly commercial prospects aplenty,” he said. “We encourage you to immerse yourself in the pedigrees – it’s an incredible lineup of fillies and mares. Across the years, so many astute buyers have made life-changing purchases to boost and enhance their broodmare bands; the catalogue in 2025 will again provide those incredible opportunities.” The sale has a proven record, with past graduates producing stars such as Aeliana, Benedetta, Devil Night, Golden Sixty, Magic Time, Private Harry, Schwarz, Skybird, Stefi Magnetica, Sunlight and the legendary Winx. Supplementary entries for both the National Weanling and National Broodmare Sale close on Monday, 12 May.
Missile Could be Too Hot in Princess Stakes
Thursday, 24th April 2025
The lightly raced G Waterhouse and A Bott-trained Heat Missile (Too Darn Hot-Entisaar, by More Than Ready) will be having her fifth start this Saturday in the Listed Princess Stakes (1600m) and, interestingly, it will be the third state she has raced in. Initially campaigned under the care of the Griffiths-de Kock yard in Victoria, the filly had two starts for a win and a second, and since transferring to the Randwick yard of her current trainers, she has also recorded a win and a second. Raced by a host of prominent South Africans including Champion trainer Mike de Kock and leading breeders Drakenstein Stud, the 3YO filly is out of Entisaar, an Australian bred filly who raced in South Africa for Shadwell Stud under the care of Mike de Kock before heading back to Australia where she is now based. Knocked down for $200,000 from the Middlebrook Valley draft at the Inglis Easter yearling sale, Heat Missile was a last start second over 1400m at Warwick Farm after racing outside of the leader where she showed great resilience to battle away well in the straight. From barrier 7, with Regan Bayliss in the saddle, it would not surprise to see her go forward and then in the home straight look to make a break on them. While Entisaar was the Champion 2YO Filly in South Africa of her year, at three she stepped up to 1600m and failed, but with the versatility of the progeny of Too Darn Hot, it's impossible to say she won't run out the trip.
Zoustar Claws Back Snitzel Title Margin
Thursday, 24th April 2025
Even though this racing season’s Black Type Stallion Premiership is more compressed than previous years – there will possibly soon be an unusual 8 stallions on over seasonal 200 points – it is lookingly increasingly likely that the title will be fought out by Arrowfield Stud’s Snitzel (310 points) and Widden Stud’s Zoustar (298 points). The latter, who is somewhat younger than his sparring partner, has always shown the mettle to claim a major premiership of his own. Despite having started the 2024-25 season like a bullet from a gun, Zoustar’s initial lead was trimmed back – and eventually overtaken by Snitzel whose stakes-performers had turned up week in and week out over a large part of the autumn. In a war of attrition, Zoustar had been equally well represented to the point that, last Thursday, the son of Northern Meteor was adrift of the front-runner by just 27 points. As we’re about to enter the final quarter of the lengthy championship, that was still a significant, but by no means unachievable, margin to claw back given the number of Group and Listed races yet to be run. On Saturday, the Widden stalwart made what could prove to be a decisive move, one which has seen him surge to within a single Group 1 win (13 points) of overtaking Snitzel. At Randwick, habitual Group 1 performer Joliestar finished runner-up in a sizzling Gr1 All Aged Stakes, earning 11 points, and Sunlight’s full-sister Clean Energy picked up a valuable – under the circumstances – 4 points for her placing in the Gr3 James H B Carr Stakes. With just a dozen point buffer, it’s way too early to call, but whatever the outcome it is going to add some extra spice to a competitive title fight. Although it may not be the defining metric in the outcome, due to its 13, 11, 10 points structure, any in-the-frame Group 1 performances during the season are a huge help. To that end, Snitzel has seven thus far for 85 points, while Zoustar has eight for 90 points. Game on!
Joliestar has contributed 45 points to Zoustar's seasonal total (pic: Mark Gatt)
Latta Itching to Return to Restored Awapuni
Thursday, 24th April 2025
After an extended hiatus, Awapuni racetrack is finally back in business and no one is more thrilled than local trainer Lisa Latta, who will return to her home track this Friday with a strong hand in the Listed Manawatu ITM ANZAC Mile (1600m). Latta, based at the Palmerston North venue, has eagerly followed the course’s restoration, which included significant turf work and positive trial results confirming its readiness for racing again after 18 months. “It’s gone really well, we had a lot of rain before the trials and the track held up so well,” she told NZ Racing Desk. “I’ve galloped a fair number of horses out there and I’m really happy with it.” The time away from home has come with challenges, and Latta is clearly relieved to resume operations at familiar ground. “We’ve done a lot of travelling, we obviously had a lot of home meetings that were run elsewhere and it makes a difference—you’re home earlier, staff are done earlier, all those types of things. It’s definitely been a strain in that regard,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to being back.” Latta’s ANZAC Mile hopeful is He’s A Doozy, a Group 1 winner who signalled a return to form at Wanganui last start. Although encouraged by that performance, she acknowledged the 59kg topweight as a concern. “He’d been disappointing down south, so we changed a couple of things around on him and it was great to have him back in winning form at Wanganui,” she said. “Unfortunately, he’s back up in the handicaps again now and is carrying topweight. We’ll get this run into him and see where we go from here, he’s drawn well and that’ll be a help carrying that much weight.” Latta will also saddle Lantern Way and Benefactor in the TRC Tractors 1400, while her filly Connello heads to Riccarton for Saturday’s Listed NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m), hoping to build on a strong second in the NZB Airfreight Stakes. Sunday’s attention turns back to Wanganui, where Belardo Boy resumes in the Open 1350m and could target weight-for-age events at Awapuni later this season.
Quokka Win Could Aid Headwall Everest Push
Thursday, 24th April 2025
Sydney trainer Matt Smith is convinced his rising sprint star Headwall has earned a shot at The Everest, and a victory in Saturday’s $5 million Quokka (1200m) in Perth would do plenty to strengthen that case. Already proven at the elite level this autumn, the son of Dream Ahead has been a standout performer despite not yet breaking through for a Group 1 win. According to racenet.com.au, the gelding has put together a remarkable preparation, launching with a fourth in the Oakleigh Plate before storming home for second in the Newmarket Handicap (see below) and then grabbing third in the TJ Smith Stakes. It’s a level of Group 1 consistency that has Smith daring to dream. “He has gone to another level this preparation,” Smith said. “You never know if horses are going to take that next step but he has. He has got the turn of foot to win a Group 1 and is clearly tracking in that direction based on his three runs this preparation. They've been outstanding so I am just delighted. He wouldn't have done this before because he wouldn't relax but now he is starting to relax in his runs and gives himself every chance to win one of these races.” Headwall, a $6 chance, joins fellow New South Wales-based sprinters Overpass ($2 favourite) and Front Page ($9) in Saturday’s Quokka field. All three horses have drawn wide, with Headwall jumping from gate eight under Zac Lloyd, while Overpass and Front Page will have to overcome double-digit barriers. Smith, though, remains optimistic. “The draw is fine for us, we can’t be unhappy with the draw,” he said. “The horse seems to be happy, I can’t fault him really. He has been here a little over a week now but he settled in fine and seems fine. He has had a few runs so we just need to tick him over and keep him happy.” Following the Quokka, Headwall will enjoy a well-earned break before a spring campaign aimed squarely at The Everest. “We will go through those Everest lead-up races,” Smith said. “You can line all the form up now since we've had the three big sprints and you can see they are four or five of them within a length of each other…”
Derby History Against Sea Scout After Trial Win
Thursday, 24th April 2025
Sea Scout emerged from obscurity to land a stunning upset in Tuesday’s Listed Betfred Blue Riband Trial at Epsom, delivering a $41 blow to punters while boosting his credentials for the Gr1 Epsom Derby. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, sportinglife.com reports the son of Sea The Stars had shown limited form on the all-weather but made his turf debut count with a determined victory under Harry Davies. Having finished fifth on debut at Kempton and followed up with a win at Lingfield last November, Sea Scout was largely dismissed ahead of the Epsom feature. Yet he raced prominently throughout and, when asked to respond in the final stages, showed a steely attitude to fend off the better-fancied Trinity College ($3.25), trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore. The pair were three and a half lengths clear of Mirabeau ($29), with favourite Devil’s Advocate ($2.50) failing to fire for John and Thady Gosden, eventually finishing sixth. The result prompted Paddy Power to slash Sea Scout’s Derby odds in half, trimming him from $67 to $34. However, the historical challenge remains – no horse has won both the Blue Riband Trial and the Derby since Blue Peter in 1939. Despite that, Simon Crisford was buoyed by what he described as “a really pleasing reappearance,” noting: “We have always loved him and always really enjoyed him. He has always looked like a horse with a lot of talent and [he’ll] stay a mile and a half.” He confirmed the colt is entered for both the Derby and the Dante, with discussions to follow between the stable and owner Mr Al Mansoori. Crisford hinted that more race experience might be in order before June’s Classic, with Chester also a possible stop. “Even though he was the outsider today, he wasn’t that price in our book,” he said. “He’s a very promising colt and now a course winner with the pedigree to stay the Derby trip.” Remarking on his unheralded odds, Crisford added: “I suppose when he won at Lingfield he didn’t catch the attention of too many people, but he won well enough that day if you look at the replay. He is very much a work in progress…”
El Vencedor Overcomes Minor Hoof Injury
Thursday, 24th April 2025
Stephen Marsh is preparing to saddle his first international runner in Sunday’s HK$28 million Group One QE II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin, and the Kiwi trainer believes El Vencedor is back on track after overcoming a minor hoof issue. According to scmp.com, the 6YO missed a few days of full work last week due to a minor abscess in his left hind foot but was cleared by Hong Kong Jockey Club officials on Monday to resume training and showed no signs of discomfort during a light all-weather workout on Tuesday. “Very happy with him,” Marsh said. “He just had a little minor abscess in a hind foot, but he’s been working in the quarantine sand and he’s out on the track today moving beautifully and freely.” Bronte Forbes, Head of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity, gave El Vencedor the green light after a routine inspection. Marsh was encouraged by how the gelding handled the environment, even if the big screen moment was a novelty. “I don’t think he’d seen himself on a big screen before, but he’s great. He’ll gallop on Thursday, Zac [Purton] will ride him on the turf and I think we’re right on track.” El Vencedor (Shocking) enters with a formidable record of four straight wins in New Zealand, three at Group 1 level – the Herbie Dyke Stakes, Otaki-Maori WFA Classic, and Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes. The opposition at Sha Tin includes French contender Goliath and Japanese stars Liberty Island and Prognosis, but Marsh is buoyed by having Zac Purton in the saddle. “He’s the King of Hong Kong, you’d say, and it’s brilliant to have him on,” Marsh said. “One of the owners’ friends is good friends with Zac, so they got in touch with him early on and he was more than happy to take the ride a fair way out.” Purton, chasing a second QE II Cup after winning on Exultant in 2020, is upbeat. “He’s been racing really well, very consistently at a high level going left and right-handed and he can handle different types of ground, so he’s versatile… if he has to lead, he leads. If something else wants to go, he’s able to take a sit. It’s nice to pick him up, I’m happy to be on him and to give him a chance.”
El Vencedor doesn't know how to run a bad race (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
HISA Reveals Stats Related to Shoulder Injuries
Thursday, 24th April 2025
In an effort to tackle one of racing’s most devastating injuries, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has issued its first public equine health advisory drawn from its internal data portal, reports Horse Racing Nation. The advisory targets fatal proximal forelimb fractures in Thoroughbreds which are catastrophic injuries to the humerus and scapula that continue to account for a significant share of training-related deaths in the USA, and is offering practical preventative guidance for trainers and veterinarians. According to HISA’s findings, these fractures made up 15% of training fatalities reported by regulatory vets in 2024. Alarmingly, over 40% of the horses that suffered fatal proximal forelimb fractures had not registered any high-speed furlongs in the 60 days leading up to their breakdowns. On average, affected horses logged just 12.3 high-speed furlongs over that period, while those with humeral fractures averaged an even lower 5.9. The data suggests that horses early in their training or returning from layoffs may be more vulnerable than previously understood, providing an insight that could prove vital in future risk assessments. This represents the first time HISA has shared injury-related insights from its portal with the wider industry, as part of a broader strategy to foster evidence-based training decisions and improve safety outcomes. As it continues collecting exercise and injury histories nationwide, HISA plans to issue further advisories identifying patterns in equine injury risks. The initiative aims to arm trainers and regulators with the tools needed to prevent injuries before they occur, ultimately making the sport safer for both horses and riders. “Our goal is to translate this growing body of information in our Portal into actionable guidance that can make our sport safer,” said Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, HISA’s director of equine safety and welfare. “This advisory reflects our commitment to data-driven safety and highlights the collective responsibility we have as an industry to intercede for at-risk horses before injuries occur.” HISA intends to reduce these types of fatalities beginning in 2025, with education and awareness forming the cornerstone of that effort.
