Widden Stud is delighted to announce its 2026 service fees on a diverse roster of 19 stallions split between NSW and Victoria headlined by reigning Champion Australian sire Zoustar who continues to dominate on the track and in the sales ring.
Zoustar (Northern Meteor) was the world’s leading sire of winners in 2025 and he’s carried that momentum into 2026 with 9 individual Stakes winners of 15 Stakes races so far this season in Australia. The latest arrived on Saturday when the Team Hawkes-trained sprinter Grand Larceny landed a fitting victory in the SAJC John Hawkes Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Morphettville.
On the international stage, Champion Zoustar mare Joliestar is set to take on some of the world’s best sprinters in the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Royal Ascot on Saturday, June 20. She is the opening $2.50 favourite following Group 1 triumphs in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
“Zoustar is at the height of his powers and maintains excellent fertility with his recent books of mares surpassing the quality of all that have gone before,” Widden Stud owner Antony Thompson said.
“Last year we welcomed mares from many of the very best stud farms in the country to be covered by Zoustar and they included Everest and four-time Group 1 winner Bella Nipotina in her first season at stud, Medaglia Valore, the dam of Campione D’Italia and Via Africa, the dam of Autumn Glow.”
Zoustar’s dominance has been emphatically reflected in the sales ring where his progeny continue to be among the most sought-after yearlings in Australasia. “This year he produced six yearlings selling for $1million or more and averaged more than $544,000 from 57 yearlings, underlining the extraordinary commercial appeal.”
Zoustar stands at a fee of $275,000 (inc. GST).
Jacquinot and his first yearlings were well received at the majors this year with 16 selling at Magic Millions Book 1 for an average of $218,000 with top price of $425,000 for a colt from Bonheur (I Am Invincible).
“Ciaron Maher purchased three of his top five-priced yearlings which speaks volumes for their quality,” Thompson said. “The feedback from breakers and trainers has been incredibly positive and we can’t wait to see them on the track next season. His value this year is exactly what the market is looking for and he represents a great option for breeders.”
Jacquinot (Rubick) was a Group 1 winner of the ATC Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) and MRC C F Orr Stakes (1400m) and he stands at a fee of $19,800 (inc. GST).
Offering a wide variety of proven stallions to budget conscious breeders is also a high priority at Widden and our affordably priced sires have rewarded their supporters.
Trapeze Artist sired his second Group 1 winner on Saturday when Panova cruised home in the SAJC Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville. The Snitzel stallion’s first-crop colt Griff had also opened his elite-level account as a 3yo in the MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
“I settled in a lovely spot from the gate and she relaxed and switched off,” winning jockey James McDonald said. “I was able to blend into the race really well so it was just about stoking her up.”
Panova heads 8 Australian Stakes winners for Trapeze Artist this season comprising 2YOs Spicy Miss, Chilly Girl and Where’s the Circus, 3YOs Panova and The Crimson Pirate, Sydney stayer Piggyback, Godolphim mare Pinito and VRC Standish Hcp sprinter Disneck.
“Trapeze Artist’s success has been building for some time, and his fee reflects the value he offers this season,” Thompson reasoned. “Breeders will be incredibly well-placed sending mares to him.”
Trapeze Artist stands at a fee of $27,500 (inc. GST).
Zousain was also on the mark at Morphettville on Saturday with Verzain in the SAJC Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) for local trainer Phillip Stokes. She went back-to-back on a seven-day turnaround following the Without Fear Stakes (Listed, 1050m).
“Verzain is tough and she’s a valuable filly now,” Stokes declared. “There was good speed up front and she was strong through the line. If she pulls up well, we will have to think about the David Coles Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) in a fortnight.”
Zousain is the very image of his sire Zoustar and is a highly reliable source of winners in his own right. He’s also proving popular in Hong Kong where he has sired four individual winners this season highlighted by Salon S who is undefeated in four Sha Tin starts for trainer Frankie Lor.
Zousain remains in high demand and his yearling sale results continue to provide incredible results for breeders having sold for $375,000, $300,000, $260,000, $250,000 and $220,000, alongside a further 15 yearlings achieving $100,000 or more.
Zousain stands at a fee of $22,000 (inc. GST).
Supido is building momentum with his current 2YO crop the biggest ever. From just six runners, he has already sired outstanding 2026 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five suggesting there is a wealth of untapped talent in the pipeline. With his second-largest crop of yearlings and the first bred at a higher fee, Supido (Sebring) is locked and loaded for an upswing.
Supido stands at a fee of $9,900 (inc. GST).
Anders has posted two stakes-winners from his first crop this season including promising young stayer Single Choice. A winner of four from 10 starts including the MRC Autumn Classic (Gr 2, 1800m), Single Choice has next Saturday’s SAJC South Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) in his sights for trainer Matt Cumani.
With his oldest progeny now three-year-olds, Anders stands at a fee of $9,900 (inc. GST).
Written By, Portland Sky, Rebel Dane and Sweet Ride complete the NSW roster, offering breeders a mix of proven performance and emerging sires, catering for broader breeding requirements and providing variety and value.
“We have a strong group of value stallion options who continue to perform,” Thompson said. “They offer breeders flexibility across pedigree and commercial appeal, while still producing quality yearlings and giving breeders the opportunity to race their own stock.”
Written By continues to excel both in the sales ring and on the track with strong ongoing support from breeders again last season. He stands at a fee of $22,000 (inc. GST).
Portland Sky has sired impressive first-crop winners Daryte and Portland Miss with the latter set to contest the $200,000 Inglis 2YO Challenge (1200m) at Wagga on Friday. He stands at a fee of $8,800 (inc. GST).
Rebel Dane is coming off his largest crop of two-year-olds to date and has already produced the promising stakes winner Rebel Tuesday. He stands at a fee of $6,600 (inc. GST).
Sweet Ride (Deep Field) is covering his second book at Widden and will have the valued support of owners Bert and Gai Vieira who will once again send him in the vicinity of 30 mares.
Trained by Annabel Neasham, Sweet Ride defeated subsequent MRC Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Madame Pommery (No Nay Never) on debut as a summer 2yo at Rosehill. He also finished runner-up in the Pago Pago Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) before coming back as a spring 3yo to win the ATC San Domenico Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Rosehill.
“Bert and Gai wanted to stand the horse at Widden through the relationship we’ve forged via Trapeze Artist,” Widden’s Matt Comerford told ANZ News. “To be able to stand him adds to our relationship but he wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think he was a really good hope.”
Southport Tycoon heads the Widden Victoria roster at Romsey and is expected to be strongly supported by breeders following an impressive debut at stud. The dual Group 1-winning son of Champion sire Written Tycoon covered 127 mares in his first season.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the level of support he received, particularly the quality of mares in his first book,” Thompson explained. “The excitement around his first crop of foals is building, and he is an exceptionally well-credentialed stallion. We look forward to him attracting another strong book this season.”
Southport Tycoon stands at a fee of $33,000 (inc. GST).
Russian Camelot, Doubtland and Dirty Work continue to deliver strong results on the track with their three-year-old crops. “It is exciting to see the promising results from their first two crops to race. Breeders have supported them well, and they are continuing to return value both in the sales ring and on the track.”
Russian Camelot sired impressive Flemington Group 3 Stakes-performer Beyond Question second time out in February and he followed up with an Albury Guineas (1400m) victory last month. He was reportedly sold to Hong Kong for $1million giving a strong indication of the continued progression of the Russian Camelot progeny.
More recently, Strangethingdesire was a front-running debut winner for Team Hawkes at Geelong last Wednesday and he looks to have a bright future for Montague Park’s Justin Lovatt.
Doubtland continues to find favour in the sales ring selling his top colt for $320,000 to X Bloodstock at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. With 16 individual winners this season, he continues to offer strong value for breeders.
Dirty Work has his 2yo division performing strongly highlighted by Never Ordinary winning the Dequetteville Stakes (Listed, 1050m) as an odds-on favourite at Morphettville last month. Dirty Work’s talented NZ filly Summer Schemer also won the Eagle Charters Stakes (1100m) at Ellerslie for trainer Shaun Ritchie in February.
Russian Camelot, Doubtland and Dirty Work all stand for $11,000 (inc. GST).
King Colorado enters his third season at stud with a strong line-up of foals from his first crop and early indications suggest the Group 1-winning two-year-old is well on track.
A son of Kingman boasting a deep and highly commercial pedigree, he was trained by Ciaron Maher to claim the J J Atkins Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Eagle Farm. “The support we have received for King Colorado, both from shareholders and breeders, has given him an exceptional start,” Thompson continued.
“The quality of his first crop is expected to drive an increase in mare numbers again this season, particularly at such strong value. Kingman continues to be a world-class sire and his sons are making an impact despite relatively limited opportunities.”
King Colorado stands for $13,200 (inc. GST).
Completing the Widden Victoria roster are Nicconi, Gold Standard and Bruckner.
Nicconi has once again been a cornerstone of the Victorian operation since its launch with his 2026 sales results highlighting continued commercial strength. He has produced standout results including a $500,000 filly at the Gold Coast Magic Millions and a $300,000 colt at the Melbourne Premier Sale.
“Nicconi is a marvel. While his book is now carefully managed, he remains incredibly fertile and continues to deliver exceptional results for his supporters. He will cover a book of 50 mares this year, and for breeders seeking proven commercial success, it’s hard to pass by a sire at this fee averaging over $100,000 at the yearling sales this season.”
Nicconi stands for $13,200 (inc. GST).
Gold Standard is represented by his largest crop of two-year-olds off the back of his Group 1-winning daughter Sheeza Belter. And the emergence of $1million TBV VOBIS Platinum Showdown (1200m) winner Big Wigs provides further excitement for his progeny moving forward.
Bruckner topped the 2020 Melbourne Premier Sale and his first-crop yearlings have also been well received this year. The son of Snitzel won the MRC McNeil Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Caulfield and was also a gallant second in the VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) behind Golden Slipper-winning sire Home Affairs.
“We all knew what a good-looking yearling Bruckner was and to see Nick Ryan pay $120,000 for his colt out of Anuddawinna (Magnus) is very encouraging. In a tough market, the value on offer is clear, and the quality around his race record is undeniable.”
Gold Standard and Bruckner both stand for $5,500 (inc. GST).
“Our focus this year is firmly on the breeder, ensuring they have access to the best value options within the Widden roster,” Thompson added. “The team is happy to assist with mating plans, whether for sale or breed-to-race objectives, and we encourage breeders to reach out.”
For bookings or further information, contact the Widden Sales and Nominations team: Antony Thompson (0427 470 507), Matt Comerford (0424 742 672), Adam Henry (0428 036 472) & Billy Primmer (0417 310 876).