Champion 2YO sire elect Stratum heads a star-studded line-up of eight stallions at Widden Stud in 2010.

Stratum (Redoute’s Choice) won the 2005 Golden Slipper and he sired 2010 Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily in his first crop.  His fee has risen from $33,000 to $60,500 (inc gst).

“In recent years we have worked very hard to acquire what we believe are the very best sire prospects for Australian conditions,” Widden’s Antony Thompson said.  “The success of Stratum reassures us that horses able to meet our stringent selection criteria are likely to become successful sires.

“In setting our fees for 2010 we are mindful of the current economic climate with the majority of our horses at the same fee as last year or slightly reduced with the exception of Stratum.  His fee is a direct response to the demand from breeders.”

Young guns Sebring, Northern Meteor and War Pass (USA) all covered excellent books in their debut season last year and are sure to be popular again, while the first yearlings by Strada have sold extremely well this year.

Snippetson continues to build on his tally of first crop winners, while last year’s Champion NZ 2YO Sire Lucky Owners again showed his ability to produce a genuinely top class juvenile when unbeaten colt Masquerader won the G2 STC Todman Stakes.  He was withdrawn from the Golden Slipper due to injury.

New to the roster is blue-blooded G2 winning sprinter Dreamscape, a magnificent looking son of Choisir from the family of legendary sire Sadler’s Wells.