Former Widden Stud shuttler Southern Image sired his first stakes winner when Southern Fireball won the Manhattan Beach Stakes (1200m) at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

Southern Fireball (3f Southern Image – Hot Moon by Carson City) was second over the line behind Repo but was elevated after being checked by her stablemate at the furlong pole.  Back in momentum, she made up ground under jockey Martin Garcia to be beaten a half-length and stewards ruled the interference cost her more than the winning margin.

“Repo came in and intimidated my filly really bad,’’ Garcia said.  “She was definitely the best horse.  If I would have gotten through, she would have won easily.’’

The winner was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds and was a $25,000 buy at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale.  She has now won times from seven starts and increased her earnings to $102,021.  

Southern Image will not return to Widden this year after a decision was made to transfer him from Kentucky to Rancho San Miguel in California.  The move went ahead after his first crop two year-olds began firing on the west coast last year.

Southern Image is part-owned by an Australian based syndicate and they made the decision to relocate the nine year-old after receiving the right offer in November.  “They’re crying out for quality stallions in California and Southern Image fits the bill,” Widden’s general manager Derek Field said.  “He won two Group 1 races at Santa Anita and will appeal to Californian breeders.”

Southern Image sired his first Australian winner when St Halor scored a two length victory at Murwillumbah on May 9.  

Like More Than Ready, Southern Image represents the Halo sireline.  He was bred in Florida by Arthur Appleton and swept the Malibu Stakes (G1), Californian Sunshine Millions Classic, Santa Anita Hcp (G1) and Pimlico Special (G1) in consecutive starts between December 2003 and May 2004.

He covered over 350 mares at Widden in four seasons from 2006 to 2009.