What Could Have Been

Tara Madgwick - Sunday August 20

He stood for just four seasons, but what a lasting legacy this stallion is leaving.

Widden Stud have stood many champion sires over the years, but in modern times Northern Meteor stands as a stallion we would all love to have seen a lot more of.

Northern Meteor stood at Widden between 2009 - 2012 - RIP.

By champion sire Encosta de Lago from a female family tracing in tail female line to Rough Shod, whose descendants include legendary sires Sadler’s Wells and Nureyev, Northern Meteor was always held in high regard.

He retired lightly raced after winning the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes and in his first crop produced two colts that would go on to become champion sires in Zoustar and the now sadly pensioned Deep Field.

Zoustar and Deep Field are now both looking to extend the sire dynasty through their myriad of sire sons, but it’s the daughters of Northern Meteor that were making news last Saturday.

Advertisement

He sired the dams of two exciting stakes-winners that are headed on Group I paths this spring in Buenos Noches and Charm Stone.

Buenos Noches won the Group III ATC Show County Quality (1200m) and will look to secure an Everest start.

Charm Stone won the Group III MRC Quezette Stakes (1100m) and will head towards the Group[ I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes and possibly the Golden Rose.

Northern Meteor sired 24 stakes-winners from his four crops to race with six of those SW’s Group I winners and as a broodmare sire has produced the dams of 10 stakes-winners so far with Group I ATC Randwick Guineas winner Communist the best of them.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sword of State- One That Got Away?
Cambridge Stud’s Sword of State might be the one that got away from Newgate Farm with the Group I winning son Snitzel currently sitting on top of the Australian First Season Sires List.
Sires With Winners - Sunday January 4
Here is the full list of 55 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Torryburn Stud Out To Create Magic Moments
Torryburn Stud’s Cornish family are renowned for producing racehorses of the highest calibre, highlighted by Voyage Bubble, who in the last 12 months has not only added a second G1 Hong Kong Mile to his record, but also created history by winning the Hong Kong Triple Crown, taking his overall record to 12 wins, six at G1 level and more than HK$128m in earnings.
MM Contender Unit Five Wins Gold Coast Trial
The Ciaron Maher trained Supido colt Unit Five was scratched from a Sydney barrier trial last week as he continues his preparation for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 17 and reappeared at the Gold Coast on Monday morning.
MM Order of Entry 2YO and 3YO Updated
There were some big movers and shakers from last weekend’s racing as we head towards Magic Millions day on January 17 with Farnan gelding Ninja taking a stranglehold on the 3YO Guineas, while Sword of State colt Warwoven is favourite for the 2YO Classic.
Better Check Out the Lyndhurst Magic
Lyndhurst Stud Farm is home to one of Queensland’s favourite sons Better Than Ready and their Magic Millions draft of 12 features three by the reigning Champion Queensland Sire.
2026 $3million Magic Millions Sunlight Barrier Draw
The barriers and final field are out for the $3million Magic Millions Sunlight slot race to be run this Saturday at the Gold Coast over 1100m.
Yarraman Park Hoping for a Magic Saturday
The $3million Magic Millions Sunlight slot race at the Gold Coast on Saturday will be watched very closely by the team at Yarraman Park with their homebred I Am Invincible filly Sylph seeking to break her maiden in the lucrative feature, while Hellbent is the sire of one of her archrivals Savvy Hallie.
Sires With Winners - Monday January 5
Here is the full list of 14 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday January 6
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.