Cover image courtesy of Widden Stud
The recent Inglis Digital Online auction with 554 catalogued lots, concluded on Wednesday, with 382 lots (71 per cent) finding buyers. The auction generated a total gross of $6,121,900 with Lot 255 claiming the highest sale price at $1.1 million. The average recorded was $16,026, with a median price of $4000.
Zoustar share tops the sale
With only 60 shares available in Zoustar, Qatar Bloodstock have sold two of theirs in the past 10 months. First in June 2024, when Julie Ritchie paid $1.3 million and now on Wednesday with Boomer Bloodstock splashing out $1.1 million for one. Averaged out, this places a theoretical value on Zoustar of $72 million.
“I have various clients that I work for that are always on the lookout for opportunities, and this one fit well into their portfolio,” said Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock.
Zoustar has recently been announced by Widden Stud at a fee of $275,000 inc GST for the 2025 season.
At the sales so far this season, Zoustar’s yearlings have averaged $492,000 with five seven-figure yearlings led by the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale $2.6 million graduate, sold by Widden Stud to Resolute Racing. The filly is out of Listed winner The Actuary (Sebring) who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Zougotcha (Zoustar).
The $2.6 million Zoustar filly sold at the 2025 Inglis Australian Yearling Sale | Image courtesy of Inglis
“I'm very pleased with the purchase, it was around the price I thought we would have to pay, one went for $1.3 million last year and the stallion is going from strength to strength. In terms of the top class proven stallions, there is a big age gap from the others to him, so there’s a bit of longevity there, and it's great to get involved with such a good stud like Widden.”
Zoustar, aged 14, is currently second on the Australian General Sires Premiership with season progeny earnings over $20.9 million, just behind Pride Of Dubai, aged 12, on $21.3 million. Next in line are the highly commercial trio of Snitzel (aged 22), I Am Invincible (aged 20), and Written Tycoon (aged 22), while the retired stallion Fastnet Rock is currently in sixth place.
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
“In terms of Zoustar’s profile, his fee may even go higher in years to come, he’s going great at the sales, he's got sons retiring to stud, and I have no doubt he will be a top broodmare sire of the future,” added Rounsefell.
With 65 stakes winners including 10 Group 1 winners to his name, Zoustar’s sons at stud include the promising Zousain, and G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis who heads into his second season in 2025. Over in Western Australia, Lightsaber’s first crop are foals.
Tried horses do well on the platform
The second top lot of the day was offered by the Neasham and Archibald team, now the Archibald team. Tried horse 3-year-old colt Yoshinobu (Written Tycoon) was purchased by Full Circle Racing for $180,000 and will stay with the Archibald stable.
“Yoshinobu was offered on Inglis Digital to dissolve a partnership amongst the ownership group and some of the other owners wanted to retain the horse and keep him with us in the stable so everyone is happy,” Rob Archibald said. Winner of two of his eight starts, he ran third to Switzerland (Snitzel) in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes.
Yoshinobu | Image courtesy of Inglis
“He’s a really talented colt that we believe has much more to offer on the track and we’re looking forward to seeing how far he can go. That’s the beauty of Inglis Digital, horses can race one week and sell the next, everything is timeless and easy, it’s a great tool for the entire industry.”
Promising 2-year-old colt Mednyi (Capitalist) was the third top lot, selling to Hong Kong’s Liu Man Ho for $160,000. Offered by Emirates Park Stud, the colt has had a win from five starts and was third in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes last start.
“I bought him because he looks to be a progressive racehorse and a potential black type performer,” Mr Liu said.
Mednyi | Image courtesy of Inglis
“He has only had five starts and appears to have some upside. Hopefully, he will continue to improve further in Hong Kong. This is my first time using Inglis Digital. I was introduced to the platform by [Inglis’ Asia representative] Nicky Wong and received assistance throughout the sale process. I found the platform very user friendly and easy to follow from the setup, and I’m looking forward to buying again if another suitable prospect comes up.”
With eight lots selling for more than $100,000, there have been 35 six figure sales through this platform in 2025.
