Widden Stud’s flagship sire Zoustar had another red letter day on Saturday with a Group double at Morphettville when exciting juvenile colt Growing Empire bolted away with the Group III SAJC Breeders Stakes followed later in the day by progressive mare Climbing Star, who tipped out the favourites to score a tenacious win in the $1million SAJC Rober Sangster Stakes (1200m).
With the reins dangling around her shoulders, Vibrant Sun led home a trifecta for Arrowfield Stud’s ailing stallion The Autumn Sun in Saturday’s $1,000,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.
Well known bloodstock agent Shane McGrath has already had a hand in the purchase of one outstanding juvenile trained by Clinton McDonald this season in Hayasugi and he has also unearthed another with exciting Starspangledbanner gelding Stanley Express landing a sizable betting plunge to win the $1million MRC TBV Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
In a landmark acquisition for Swettenham Stud and the Victorian breeding industry, the illustrious LOFTY STRIKE joins the Swettenham Stud roster for the 2024 breeding season.
The promising 2-year-old Shalaa (IRE) colt Shall Be will target the $200,000 Inglis Challenge to be run on May 17 at Scone Racecourse after breaking his maiden in the New Era Technology Maiden Plate at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Justify, the Champion 2YO Sire in North America and sire of outstanding Australian 2YO colt Storm Boy, won’t be returning to stand at Coolmore Australia this spring and will remain at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky where he will cover a select book of mares to southern hemisphere time late in the year.