The 2020 stallion roster features Zousain ($19,800 inc GST), who will stand alongside his father Zoustar ($121,000 inc GST), Trapeze Artist ($77,000 inc GST), Nicconi ($27,500 inc GST), Written By ($22,000 inc GST), Star Witness ($22,000 inc GST), Stratum Star ($8800 inc GST), Supido ($8800 inc GST), Your Song ($8800 inc GST) and Outreach ($5500 inc GST).
TDN AusNZ: Service fees have been announced, how are you finding the response to your roster given the current economic uncertainty?
Antony Thompson: We reduced our service fees by 20 per cent and the market response has been very positive.
We have noticed a number of breeders might be mating two out of their three mares instead of all three due to the economic climate.
TDN AusNZ: You have new stallion Zousain, can you describe him physically and what mare type you will be sending to him?
AT: He is a stunning physical with great strength and quality. He is a lovely masculine horse, his well- marked head catches your eye, and his overall presence has left a lasting impression on the breeders who have inspected him.
Widden and Qatar Racing will be supporting him strongly with similar types of mares to those that worked with Zoustar.
Zousain, new to Widden Stud in 2020
TDN AusNZ: How did that stallion come on your radar to stand and how have you found the response from the breeding community?
AT: He was Zoustar’s first foal, born at Edinglassie and Mick Talty called us with very positive reports. We followed him closely ever since and he was the standout at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was purchased by David Redvers and Guy Mulcaster for $400,000. We purchased an interest when he was a 2-year old.
TDN AusNZ: Looking ahead to the next few years, are there any changes to your business model you're planning?
AT: Our focus has always been on breeding Group 1 winners and there are no plans to change this!
TDN AusNZ: You've worked for some interesting people throughout your career, can you tell me who had the largest influence on you and lessons you will not forget?
AT: I’ve been lucky to work with some great people like John Morish, Peter Keating, Sir Patrick Hogan, Brent Taylor, Ben Walden, Luke Lillingston, Alec Head and David Redvers to name a few. They have all had a great influence on me and help guide me at various stages.
David Redvers, Sheikh Fahad, Hannah Wall and Antony Thompson at Widden Stud (left to right) | Image courtesy of David Redvers
TDN AusNZ: Who currently in the industry do you look toward for inspiration, and why?
AT: There is a wave of young talented people in all areas of our industry at the moment with tremendous energy and passion that are inspirational.
TDN AusNZ: Who did you learn the most from, regarding horse conformation? And why do you think they were such a good judge?
AT: My first boss John Morish was a great horseman and always had time to relay his thoughts. Every morning at Randwick he would not only assess all the horses he trained, but he knew everyone else’s horses as well and had a great eye not only for their ability, but for their level of fitness.
"My first boss John Morish was a great horseman and always had time to relay his thoughts." - Antony Thompson
TDN AusNZ: Who is the best stallion physical you have ever seen?
AT: Trapeze Artist and Written By are front of mind at present, as both young stallions have let down beautifully after covering their first book of mares last year.
These are the type of stallions that have proven so successful in Australia and fit Widden’s proven formula of success. You only have to look at the current sires tables to understand that’s what works.
TDN AusNZ: If different, which horse is the best physical you've ever worked closely with, and why?
AT: Northern Meteor was a magnificent stallion and very special with his son Zoustar, and grandson Zousain now here at Widden. You can see that great physical type and remarkable temperament carried on through this emerging legacy that Northern Meteor has left.
The late Northern Meteor
TDN AusNZ: What physical element really hooks you into a horse, and what trait can you not forgive?
AT: Strength and speed is what excites me, it’s hard to forgive horses that are narrow or weak, if they don’t have a decent depth of girth they don’t suit me.
TDN AusNZ: What stallion on another farm's roster would you like to be standing, perhaps a good outcross, or an exciting type?
AT: I Am Invincible, because he suits a lot of our mares.
TDN AusNZ: Is there an under-the-radar emerging stallion that you have a preference for?
AT: Nicconi has always been a favourite and his statistics have always been good. Now he has Nature Strip and he has emerged as a serious stallion and in all likelihood he is a sire that can get you a Horse of the Year. This type of breakthrough horse is a game changer.
Nature Strip, by Widden Stud stallion Nicconi
TDN AusNZ: What is the biggest challenge facing the industry at the moment and what do you think is the best solution?
AT: For racing to stay relevant for future generations. I would like to see a unified national effort between the racing and breeding industries to promote our sport and ensure that the public sentiment and love of racing remains strong.
TDN AusNZ: What's your opinion on the 140-mare cap that the Jockey Club in America are proposing? Do you think it's needed here?
AT: I’m not sure this cap is needed in America and I have not seen any factual or scientific evidence that supports it. Obviously, it will change the dynamics of the industry in America and I can see this restriction meaning American farms either won’t be able to afford the best stallion prospects, or their service fees will increase dramatically if the stud farms are to remain competitive on an international level.
Sam, Amy, Antony and Katie Thompson
TDN AusNZ: Which four people, within the industry or outside it, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party?
AT: My family: Dad (Bim Thompson), my children Amy and Sam, and my wife Katie.
TDN AusNZ: Are there any books or world business leaders that inspire you?
AT: Elon Musk has amazing vision and is constantly breaking down barriers achieving the impossible.
TDN AusNZ: Which global breeding brand do you have the ultimate respect for?
AT: Juddmonte Farm as it continues to produce champions and they are from families it has developed for generations.
