Each year, in the days leading into the breeding season, Widden Stud holds a number of stallion parade days for clients.   A special guest last week on Thursday at Widden was Australia’s first lady of racing Gai Waterhouse. As the trainer of two of Widden’s three new stallions for 2009, it was fitting that Waterhouse see at first hand just how well her former charges have settled in at the historic showplace.

Northern Meteor and Sebring, along with the American Breeders Cup Juvenile winner War Pass, are the three new boys at Widden.

They all impressed.

Sebring, the Golden Slipper winner of 2008, looked stunning. His coat glowing as brightly as the satin rug he wore on entering the parade area, his walk and demeanour were eye-catching.

Northern Meteor, the Gooree-owned star 3YO, is, in a word, handsome. So many of those in attendance were raving about him following the parade.

War Pass, the Eclipse Champion 2YO, was described by Widden principal Antony Thompson as “the best-performed 2YO to shuttle to Australia.” War Pass is the fastest rated 2YO ever in the USA, and was never headed. Some horse. And he looks the part.

Of course the roster at Widden has its established members and all looked in great shape: Lucky Owners, champion first season sire in New Zealand, courtesy of the Karaka Million-winning The Heckler; Southern Image with his first starter in the USA a winner; Strada, as usual looked outstanding; Snippetson who served 180 mares last season at 90 per cent fertility and has been well-backed in first season sire markets; and Stratum, another Slipper winner at Widden who is the favourite for first season siring honours. A great line-up.

A superb lunch followed the parade and TVN’s Caroline Searcy interviewed Gai Waterhouse who brought everyone up to date with the progress of current stable stars such as More Joyous and Tuesday Joy, and commented on how pleased she was to see both Northern Meteor and Sebring find their way to Widden for their stud careers.

Searcy also interviewed Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds, the syndication group which raced Sebring and Andrew Baddock, manager of Gooree Pastoral.   Baddock,  explained that Eduardo Cojuangco, owner of Gooree and in turn Northern Meteor, precipitated Northern Meteor’s early retirement because as he put it, he wasn’t getting any younger, and he wanted to see Northern Meteor’s progeny run. Despite the pleadings of both himself and Gai, Baddock said that “the boss” could not be swayed. He explained that Cojuangco also believed that great stallions are not over-raced and that it was the right time to retire Northern Meteor when he did.

A very special surprise presentation was made by Jamie Inglis of William Inglis and Son to Antony and Katie Thompson to acknowledge the more than 100 years of business conducted between Widden Stud and William Inglis. It was a propagated cutting of the famed Moreton Bay Fig that graces the Newmarket Sales Arena and will now be planted at Widden. Clearly the Thompsons were touched by the gift and the feeling behind it and the gesture drew warm applause from all in attendance.

Permalink| Aug 31, 2009

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