Widden Stud Reduce 2020 Fees Across the Board

Widden Stud have announced its 2020 service fees for their quality roster of 10 stallions with reductions across the board to assist breeders through these difficult times.

“In light of the current global situation resulting from the Covid 19 pandemic and ensuing financial downturn, we have taken the decision to reduce our fees by an average 20% in a bid to assist breeders through these unprecedented events,” said Antony Thompson.

“We are mindful of doing all we can to support breeders and believe Australia is well placed to go forward as we emerge from this crisis.

“We are the only nation to have been able to continue a widespread racing program that has allowed our major autumn carnivals to proceed and achieved a world first in being able to trade our premium yearlings at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in a virtual online format.

“Our stallions are priced this year to put breeders back on track after a very challenging period for all of us.”

Topping the roster at a fee of $121,000 inc. GST is Zoustar, who is enjoying another great season and currently sits in the Top 10 on the General Sire List by earnings with six stakes-winners to his credit.

They include his acclaimed champion Sunlight and progressive mare Madam Rouge, who will both contest the Group I SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide this Saturday.

This month we have seen two stakes performed juveniles in Zoushine and Ranting added to his black type performers for the season which now totals 13.

Zoustar has again featured prominently at the 2020 sales with an average of over $200,000 and set a new benchmark for himself when the full brother to Sunlight sold for $1.1million at Inglis Easter.

Zoustar is currently standing at Tweenhills in the UK covering another full book and his first foals have greatly impressed European breeders. He is on track to return to Australia in August as planned.

Brilliant Group II winning and Group I placed sprinter Zousain joins the roster at a fee of $19,800 inc GST and we anticipate he will follow in the footsteps of his sire Zoustar and his illustrious grand-sire Northern Meteor.

We are offering a number of lifetime breeding rights to Zousain and interested parties should contact us for details.

NICCONI & STAR WITNESS provide a great value option for those looking for proven sires.

‘Mr Reliable’ Nicconi stands at a fee of $27,500 and with seasonal progeny earnings in excess of $7m and 74 individual winners including five stakes-winners is on target to again achieve his best season to date.

His superstar performer is multiple Group I winner Nature Strip, who will be the Champion Sprinter of the 2019/20 racing season and could also be in contention for Australian Horse of the Year, whilst proven Group I sire Star Witness stands at $22,000 and is currently in 24^th position on the General Sires List and inside the Top 10 Sires by individual winners.

TRAPEZE ARTIST ($77,000 inc. GST) and WRITTEN BY ($22,000 inc GST) were both super popular last spring and we look forward to the arrival of their first foals. They have had their fees reduced in response to current events and we expect them to again fill quickly.

STRATUM STAR, SUPIDO, YOUR SONG and OUTREACH offer breeders access to the bloodlines of Champion sires Stratum, Sebring, Fastnet Rock and Exceed and Excel for under 10k.