Category Archives: Nicconi

First foals on the ground for Nicconi

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The first foals of outstanding sprinter Nicconi (Bianconi – Nicola lass, by Scenic) have started to hit the ground around Australia.

Nicconi went to stud last season with two Group 1 wins to his name. The former David Hayes-trained sprinter served a book of 156 mares in his first season at Widden Stud.

Widden has reported a Nicconi filly from the US-bred mare Diary Entry (Distant View – Super Staff, by Secretariat) entered the world at Three Bridges Thoroughbreds.

“We are thrilled with this filly. She’s only a few days old, but has good bone, strong shoulder and hindquarter, so we couldn’t be happier,” Toby Liston of Three Bridges said.

Widden Stud representative Ryan McEvoy said the NSW operation had high hopes for Nicconi in the coming years.

“Nicconi is an outstanding type and those breeders who had the chance to inspect him at last season’s stallion open days ensured he would go on to be the most popular first season sire in the country last year,” McEvoy said.

“As a great looking, dual Group 1-winning Australian sprinter, Nicconi’s attributes reflect what is required to succeed as a stallion in Australia.

“One only has to look at the top five sires in Australia last season to have an appreciation of what a good, Group 1-winning Australian performer can achieve at stud.”

Widden offer packages

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Widden Stud yesterday announced two new stallion fee packages for this spring aimed squarely at assisting the serious commercial breeder in what can only be described as a tough economic climate.

“We’ve been listening to our clients and have been looking at ways we can help breeders to get their mares covered by the best possible sires at a price that is affordable and as a result have come up with the following package deals,” said Antony Thompson.

“The Golden Slipper Winners” РSend a mare to our Golden Slipper winners Stratum and Sebring for $65,000+ gst (advertised price for Stratum $55,000 and Sebring $38,500).

“Choose Two for 50k” РSend two mares to either Northern Meteor, Sebring or Star Witness for $50,000 +gst (advertised price Northern Meteor $33,000, Sebring $38,500 and Star Witness $33,000).

Stratum was Champion Australian First Season Sire in 2009/2010 and will also be Champion Second Season Sire for 2010/2011 by earnings, winners and stakes-winners, while the first foals by Sebring and Northern Meteor will be offered as yearlings in 2012.

“Stratum has done all we could have asked of him and is well established now as the best sire of his generation, while the Sebring and Northern Meteor foals have impressed everyone and we look forward with great anticipation to the sales next year,” Thompson said.

Sebring and Northern Meteor are poised for the next stage in their stud careers, while global traveller Star Witness is due back in Australia soon to embark on his first season at stud.

“All of these sires are rock solid commercial options for the breeder seeking to produce a superior athlete and participate at top end yearling sales, so we expect these new packages to generate considerable interest and given the popularity of these sires, there may be a limited number of mares accepted under these terms, so we urge breeders to give us a call,” Thompson added.

“Widden have always maintained a willingness to work with our clients and are ready to discuss other package options with the best deal possible and this could include the likes of Champion 3yo sprinter and dual Group I winner Nicconi, who was the most popular first season sire last year.‚Äù