2013 Coolmore Stud Stakes favourite Zoustar has been sold to Widden Stud on the eve of the three year old’s attempt to win his second Group 1 race at Flemington on Saturday.
Zoustar has been sold to Widden Stud. Photo by Steve Hart.
Negotiations had hotted up over the last couple of days with several studs vying for the services of the Northern Meteor colt with the prominent New South Wales stud coming out on top.
“There have been at least six studs chasing him and negotiations got very serious in the past week or two,” part owner Suman Hedge told Racenet.
“It got down to two farms and despite some social media speculation the agreement has really only been finalised this morning.”
It is reported that the Zoustar, the winner of the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 14, has gone to Widden Stud in a possible $20 million deal.
An initial $14 million price tag could be added to if Zoustar can win the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, a race for which he is a raging hot favourite.
If, as expected Zoustar can win his second Group 1 on Saturday, an extra $4 million will be added to the purchase price plus another $2 million if he can win a third Group1 before he retires.
Trainer Chris Waller is a keen admirer of Zoustar and says that the three year old is in fine fettle heading into Saturday’s Coolmore Stud Stakes coming off a four and a quarter lengths victory in the Group 2 $175,000 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 5.
“He is a straight-forward colt, a true professional, he has the looks and temperament, and makes my job easier. I don’t need to spruik him up, he will do the ‘talking’,” Waller said.
Zoustar is a clear cut favourite at $1.95 with Queensland filly Missy Longstocking the only other runner under double figures at $9 just on front of Caulfield Guineas runner-up Divine Calling at $11 and Peter Snowden’s colt Sidestep at $12.
