Starry Eyed topped Friday’s Inglis Scone Broodmare Sale at  $42,000 on a day where just under $500,000 was traded. 112 mares sold today for $458,350 at a strong clearance rate of 87%.

Starry Eyed is by Rock Of Gibraltar from the former outstanding racemare Starstruck whose 13 wins included the G1 VRC Australian Cup and she earned $912,895 on the track. She was offered by Coolmore Stud in foal to Kingmambo stallion Henrythenavigator (USA) and sold for $42,000.

Danehill (USA) mare Magical Roma, carrying a positive test to Widden Stud’s Northern Meteor, brought the day’s second highest lot at $30,000.

“This sale was typical of most of the sales we have seen this year in that there was good competition on the better lots, in particular those fillies and mares straight off the racetrack,” Inglis Bloodstock Director Jonathan D’Arcy said.

“The clearance rate was pleasing, but the reality is that it’s very much a buyers’ market at the moment and I am sure we will look back on this sale and a number of others this year as being great value buying.”

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” - Send 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” - Send 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.”

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

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