Widden Stud Reduces Fees to Reflect Market Uncertainty

A softer market outlook has seen Widden Stud in Australia reduce its 2020 stallion fees by an average of 20% as it looks to support its long-standing clients and loyal breeders.

Widden's 12-strong roster is headed by flag-bearer Zoustar and sees the introduction of his son Zousain to the market.

"I think it's where we are across the board," Widden Stud owner/proprietor Antony Thompson said. "We saw early signs of it at Inglis Easter, and I think we'll see some more adjustments as we get into the mare sales and other pointers going forward. I think it's a year to be conservative. You're seeing that across all walks of life, and I think a 20% reduction in our service fees is in line with what's happening today.

"I think it's a good way to repay the breeders who have been so supportive of our stallions, and hopefully we continue to get their support. I feel we have something for everyone in our lineup," he added. "We're the only nation to have been able to continue a widespread racing program that has allowed our major autumn carnivals to proceed, and we 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."

Zoustar will once again headline the Widden roster, standing at a reduced fee of AU$121,000 (about US$78,000), down 21% on his fee last season of AU$154,000. However, it is still twice his 2018 service fee of AU$60,500 and comes after a season in which his best daughter, Sunlight, continued to perform at the highest level. 

"Zoustar's credentials and statistics are phenomenal," Thompson said. "With his best books to come now, if you're going to be breeding to him, you're in a position where you can really capitalize on what's happening. He's had another great season, not only on the track but in the sales ring, too. On the track, he's had six group winners, he's had 13 stakes winners, he's doing it all."

Zoustar is currently standing at David Redvers' Tweenhills Stud alongside other horses that carried the Qatar Racing claret and gold of Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and his brothers, like Charm Spirit, Havana Gold, Hot Streak, and Lightning Spear. He is serving his second season in Gloucestershire, with his first European foals receiving plenty of plaudits.

"It would be an added string to our bow if we could have success in Europe with Zoustar," Thompson said. "I know personally we'd get a lot of satisfaction. He's a horse I have enormous belief in, and I think he can work in Europe. The idea that he's been so popular in Europe gives us great confidence going forward.

"It doesn't really change what happens to him down here in the marketplace. His statistics show him to be a phenomenal young stallion. The fact that he's getting such a great opportunity up there at Tweenhills, covering his second full book this year, is very exciting for us as well."

Zousain will start at a fee of AU$19,800. He was a nose away in three group 1 races—the J J Atkins, the Golden Rose, and the Coolmore Stud Stakes—and victory in any one of those races sees him commencing his stud career off a higher mark.

"I think Zousain is great value if you look at his career in context," Thompson said. "He was a bob of the head off winning three group 1s and in three big sire-making races, too. It took two champions to beat him in Sunlight and The Autumn Sun. 

"He's a very good-looking horse and a great option. And there is the option for a lifetime breeding right for those who send two mares to Zousain the first three years. They have proven very popular in the past. We did it with Written By last year, and we'll do it for a limited number of good breeders with Zousain."

Three-time group 1 winner Trapeze Artist and Blue Diamond Stakes (G1) conqueror Written By will serve their second books in 2020, having served full books at their first attempt last year. Trapeze Artist is down 12.5% to AU$77,000, and Written By has been reduced by 11% to AU$22,000.

On a day in which his son Nature Strip was announced as the first runner in this year's The Everest in October, Nicconi's fee was reduced by almost 29%, dropping to AU$27,500. His long-term companion at Widden Stud, Star Witness, has been reduced 20% to AU$22,000.

Widden also has four sons of champion stallions: Stratum Star, Supido, Your Song, and Outreach. All four are available under AU$10,000.