Widden Stud resident Lucky Owners (Danehill - Miss Priority, by Kaapstad) sired his first two-year-old winner of the season when Lucky Us (Lucky Owners - Meritxell, by Thatching) took out the Become A Member Maiden (1050m) at Rockhampton.

The Todd Austin trained-colt posted a smart 2-3/4 length success in the $20,000 feature. Lucky Us became the second juvenile winner Widden has produced in Queensland this week after Snipzu (Snippetson - Pilgrim, by Danehill) scored at last Saturday’s Eagle Farm meeting.

Widden had success on the other side of Australia on Thursday with the Strada (Danehill - Shindig, by Straight Strike) three-year-old Settle Strada (Strada - Unsettled, by Thunder Gulch) scored a decisive win in the Western Allpest Maiden (1016m) at Bunbury.

Past and present Widden stallions have sired the winners of 113 races this season with Golden Slipper-winning sire Stratum (Redoute’s Choice - Bourgeois, by Luskin Star) leading the way with 32 successes.

Caulfield trainer Mick Price did his part for Widden Stud after preparing a double with sons of Stratum (Redoute’s Choice - Bourgeois, by Luskin Star) and the late Anabaa (Danzig - Balbonella, by Gay Mecene).

Price prepared Configuration (Anabaa - Patterns, by Success Express) for a debut win in the Leech Jewellers Maiden Plate (1100m) at Bendigo. Patterns (Success Express - Silver Robe, by Elusive Quest) was good enough to win at Group 3 level in 2001.

The three-year-old cost Price and his bloodstock manager Luke Wilkinson $145,000 at the 2009 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

The stable completed a Widden double when the Price-trained Lone Star (Stratum - Coogee Crown, by Stravinsky) strode to a 1-3/4 length success in the Pakenham Sports Club Maiden Plate (1000m) at Pakenham. Lone Star is the second foal of Coogee Crown (Stravinsky - Joyfulness, by Bletchingly), who hails from the famous Denise’s Joy (Seventh Hussar - Fun For All, by Pipe Of Peace) family.

Price’s efforts provided the backbone for a winning quartet for Widden Stud. The NSW operation also had success with another of its late champion stallions when So Genourous (General Nediym - Amorous, by Covetous) won the John Davis Motors Handicap (1400m) at Bathurst.

Widden also had a winner in Hong Kong when Ice Fire (Lucky Owners - Bon Matin, by St Jude) took out the IWC Handicap (1650m) at Sha Tin.

Widden Stud has released its 2011 fees with Golden Slipper winner Stratum the most expensive stallion at a fee of $55,000, down $5,000 on last year. The sire of this season’s VRC Sires Produce Stakes winner Running Tall, Stratum (Redoute’s Choice) is one of 10 sires to stand at Widden in 2011.

They include Royal Ascot-bound Star Witness, whose 2011 fee has still to be set. “Star Witness will be heading to Royal Ascot as planned with his final service fee to be confirmed in due course, although we are still taking bookings to him at this time and breeders that get in early will be rewarded.” Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson said yesterday.

“Widden Stud has a reputation for setting realistic service fees and we believe the 2011 roster offers breeders plenty of value in a competitive market place. “

2011 Service Fees – All fees inclusive of GST

New

Star Witness TBA

Tickets $9,900

Stratum $55,000

Sebring $38,500

Northern Meteor $33,000

Nicconi $22,000

Strada $8,800

Lucky Owners (NZ) $8,800

Dreamscape $7,700

Snippetson $7,700

 THE ability of the annual Hunter breeders yearling sale conducted at Scone each May by Inglis to produce winners was underlined when graduates not only won four of the races on the eight event program at the home track on Monday, but filled the first three places in the juvenile event which opened proceedings. (more…)

Lucky Owners son, The Hombre claimed the $125,000 Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2020m) in the stewards room at Doomben on Saturday.

(more…)

Widden Stud has announced service fees for 2010 for eight stallions headlined by Golden Slipper winner Stratum, sire of this year’s Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily. (more…)

Melbourne, Vic (March 20th, 2010) - Masquerader burst into contention for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes with a barnstorming win in the Group Two $300,000 Todman Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday. (more…)

Gold Coast, Qld (Jan 10th, 2010) - A Winter Carnival campaign is on the cards for promising three-year-old Retrospect following his win in the $104,625 BMW “Gran Tourismo” Magic Millions Maiden Plate at the Gold Coast on Saturday. (more…)

The Heckler franked his Karaka Million form in when he ran his rivals ragged in the Group 1 Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes in New Zealand on Saturday.

The brilliant bay son of Hong Kong Mile winner Lucky Owners (Danehill), The Heckler (ex Comedy Café, by Rory’s Jester) led his rivals a merry chase over the 1400m journey of the Awapuni track.

Jumping well, The Heckler was sent to the lead early to avoid the trouble he had encountered at his last start fourth in the Group 1 Diamond Stakes (1200m). The Murray and Bjorn Baker trained galloper set a solid tempo in front, before kicking in the straight and holding out 2008 Karaka Ready to Run graduate St Fevre (Dehere - Miss Candy by Canny Lad) by a short head in a time of 1.22.53.

His pilot on this occasion was Michael Coleman who took over the reins of New Zealand’s star two-year-old from Michael Rodd after the gelding’s one and a half length victory in the Karaka Million on January 25.
Owned by Sir Patrick Hogan, Peter Walker, Tony Timpson, and Alistair Sutherland, The Heckler is the third Group 1 winning two-year-old to graduate from the first two runnings of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale incentive race.

These include last year’s Group 1 Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes winner Il Quello Veloce (Captain Rio - Nishaani by Gold Brose), who finished an unlucky sixth in the 2008 Karaka Million, and 2009 Group 1 Diamond Stakes winner Kaaptan (Kaapstad - Fanny Black, by Chem), who finished last in the 2009 Karaka Million after interference.  The Heckler, has now earned more than $690,000, after being purchased by Peter Walker from Alan and Gaylene Tait’s Woodridge Farm at the 2008 Karaka Select Sale.

The two-year-old may now be tested over 1600m in the Listed Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie on April 11 with a view to the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) in his classic season.

Lucky Owners covered 50 mares at Widden Stud last spring off a fee of $13,200 (inc gst).