Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Olentia (Zoustar) is an outstanding early entry for next month’s Magic Millions Virtual Sale, to be held on August 5. A filly that combines elite race performance with a high-quality pedigree, she would not be out of place in any world-class broodmare band.
A classy 3-year-old who got better with age
Olentia (Zoustar) launched her career in style as a Christmas-time 3-year-old, winning on debut at Doomben over 1200 metres on December 9. Just under three weeks later, she backed up that performance by annihilating a Class 1 field at Eagle Farm by nearly 5l. After a slightly disappointing fourth at her next start at the Gold Coast, she was given a freshen-up and quickly returned to winning form.
Resuming in the autumn, Olentia claimed a Benchmark 68 race at Hawkesbury before making a seamless leap into Group company. She delivered a commanding victory in the G3 James Carr Stakes on April 15, defeating Portray (Ribchester {Ire}) and Magic Time (Hellbent), who would later emerge as a Group 1 winner.
Although her spring campaign as a 4-year-old was somewhat below expectations, she rebounded impressively in the autumn. She placed in the G3 Triscay Stakes, and took out the G2 Emancipation Stakes in style. From that point on, she was a fixture in feature events, winning the G3 Nivison Stakes, placing in both the G2 Hot Danish Stakes and, running fourth in the G2 Expressway Stakes, G2 Guy Walter Stakes, and the G1 Coolmore Classic, at her final start, in the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara, she produced a slashing third behind Tashi (Sebring).
Olentia concluded her racing career with seven wins up to 1500 metres, three Group victories, and just under $1 million in prizemoney for Star Thoroughbreds. Throughout her consistent career, she defeated a host of high-profile Group 1 winners, including Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}), Manaal (Tassort), Zougotcha (Zoustar), Fireburn (Rebel Dane), and Magic Time.
“She is a good, tough, sound and strong mare,” champion trainer Chris Waller said. “She is a great type – from conformation through to size and strength. She has a great temperament, great colour and has always been a healthy mare.
“She was an exciting racehorse who performed on all track surfaces.
“By a great stallion with a good pedigree – she's the type of mare we all go to the sales for, regardless of what the progeny is by, and buy the yearlings out of these mares,” Waller added.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Commercial class from a proven family
Olentia’s sire needs no introduction. Zoustar is poised to be crowned Australia’s Champion Sire for the 2024/25 season, currently holding a margin of more than $3.1 million over his nearest rival, Pride Of Dubai. A perennial top-line producer, Zoustar continues to make his presence felt both on the track and in the sales ring and has now sired 69 stakes winners, including 11 at Group 1 level.
Olentia was purchased for $310,000 by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Olentia clears away in the G2 Emancipation Stakes | Image courtesy of Sportpix
She is out of Mabkhara (Anabaa {USA}), a dual winner over 1300 metres and she was placed at metropolitan level in Sydney, she has then proven to be a blue hen broodmare.
Mabkhara has produced eight foals to race - all of them winners. In addition to Olentia, she is the dam of Wandabaa (Wandjina), an eight-time winner and G3 Newmarket Handicap victor, Malkovich (Choisir), another eight-time winner and dual Listed winner, and Seewhatshebrings (Sebring), a three-time winner who placed in the G3 Tesio Stakes.
“Olentia was a $310,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase in 2021 and a filly we followed closely during her career,” said Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch. “Star Thoroughbreds have had a remarkable record with their fillies on the track and Olentia continued this trend during a wonderful career.
“Olentia is by a champion sire in Zoustar and is from the real blue hen producer in Mabkhara.
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“Few mares with her racetrack record and pedigree come up for sale each year and this mare presents an incredible opportunity.
“We are grateful to Denise Martin and her Star Thoroughbreds syndicate of owners for providing us with an opportunity to present Olentia at our Virtual Sale,” Bowditch added.
Offered just ahead of the 2025 breeding season, Olentia represents a rare blend of commercial pedigree, race performance, and physical soundness - a prized opportunity for any broodmare band.
The 2025 Magic Millions August Virtual Sale will take place on Tuesday, August 5. Entries for the sale are closing soon.
