Widden Victoria's 2021 Virtual Stallion Parade

The world’s oldest family-owned and operated thoroughbred stud farm is writing a new chapter this breeding season after expanding into the Victorian marketplace in 2021.

Widden Stud has showcased its 12 representatives from its stallion roster at its Victorian base, in its virtual stallion parade, viewable below.

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Widden Victoria's 2021 Virtual Stallion Parade

The current Victorian roster, featuring Nicconi, Star Witness, Magnus, Fiorente (Ire), Palentino, National Defense (GB), Bel Esprit, Thronum, Ready For Victory, Squamosa as well as debut sires Russian Camelot (Ire) and Doubtland, will complement its star-studded NSW base.

“This is a long-term commitment to the Victorian breeding industry, as evident by the stallions we are bringing to Widden Victoria,” Widden Stud Principal Antony Thompson said.

Headline act

Nicconi, who stands at $27,500 (inc GST), will lead the way at Widden Victoria after finishing 12th overall on the 2020/21 Champion General Sires’ standings.

Amassing $9,748,580 in progeny earnings and 119 winners from 268 runners last season, the sire of star sprinter Nature Strip lays claim to a further 22 stakes winners, including promising Listed St Albans S. winner Scorched Earth.

With yearlings selling up to $420,000 and over $50 million in total progeny earnings, Nicconi is a proven speed sire who operates at a 70 per cent winners to runners ratio.

Star support

Star Witness and Magnus will complement Nicconi, standing at $16,500 (inc GST) and $15,400 (inc GST) respectively.

Proven Group 1-winning producer Star Witness continues to ascend the stallion ranks, siring high-class sprinter-milers that perform from two and beyond.

He was responsible for nine stakes performers during the 2020/21 season, including R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Aim, G3 Fred Best Classic hero Apache Star, as well as G1 Newmarket H. third placegetter Amish Boy.

Star Witness has hit the ground running this season, siring last month’s G2 Furious S. winner Swift Witness.

A top 10 Australian sire by winners in 2020/21, Magnus has been responsible for at least one Group 1 winner in six of the past seven seasons, highlighted by Streets Of Avalon and Malaguerra.

As well as siring 22 stakes winners, Magnus boasts a 70 per cent winners to runners ratio with his progeny selling for up to $320,000 at this year’s yearling sales.

He is out of blue hen producer Scandinavia (snippets), who herself is the grandam of Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and All Too Hard.

The next generation

Russian Camelot and Doubtland will cover their first book of mares this season after being retired following high-class racing careers.

Widden offers breeders the opportunity to access world-class staying bloodlines via Russian Camelot, a dual Group 1-winning son of star Coolmore sire Camelot (GB) for $22,000 (inc GST)

Timeform’s highest-rated Australian 3-year-old in 2020, Russian Camelot was victorious over 1400 metres on debut before announcing himself as one of the nation’s most promising prospects when dominating his rivals in the G1 SA Derby.

His 4-year-old spring campaign cemented his superstar status, with victory over Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Arcadia Queen (Pierro) in the G1 Underwood S. along with placings in the G1 Makybe Diva S., G1 Caulfield S. and G1 Cox Plate.

He would finish eighth in the G1 Melbourne Cup at his final career start.

Doubtland himself was an unbeaten 2-year-old who demolished his rivals in the G3 Kindergarten S. before training on to win a quality edition of the G2 Danehill S. at Flemington last spring.

A son of star sire Not A Single Doubt, Doubtland is line bred to Rory’s Jester and contains 12 2-year-old winners in his pedigree.

He will cover a full book this season at a service fee of $16,500 (inc GST).

All fees include GST