We’ve chosen a blue-blooded filly as our foal focus for today - one that would likely be the envy of any stud around the world. This quality filly blends the bloodlines of two of Australia’s premier stallions. She’s by I Am Invincible, and out of the high-class race mare Madam Rouge (Zoustar).
The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Antony Thompson from Widden Stud to find out about the story behind the mare and this very attractive filly.
Antony Thompson | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Class on the track, class in the ring
Madam Rouge (Zoustar) was a high-class mare trained by Chris Waller. A six-time winner up to 1400 metres, her best victories came in the G2 Tristarc Stakes, G3 Nivison Stakes, and the Listed Christmas Classic. She also performed admirably at the elite level, placing in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap and finishing fourth in the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara.
Widden Stud purchased Madam Rouge as a broodmare prospect at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, where she was secured for a substantial $2.4 million.
Madam Rouge | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“We have some great partners in her, Noel Greenhalgh, who raced Madam Rouge, bought back in with us, which was nice, she raced in his colours. They are good friends and clients of ours, Ken Warriner, Craigow Stud, the McDonnells, among others, it’s a really good group, so it was great to get a result with her first filly.”
That result was the sale of Madam Rouge’s first foal - an I Am Invincible filly to Jes Sikura, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA), and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $1.7 million at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Now named Rosie Rouge (I Am Invincible), she has only had one start at Warwick Farm where she ran seventh behind the subsequent Group winner King Of Pop (Farnan). However she has shown good form at the trials prior, she is currently listed as being out spelling.
Rosie Rouge as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This year, her Snitzel colt was passed in short of his reserve, while she has also produced a Snitzel yearling filly, prior to foaling the I Am Invincible filly last month.
A quality I Am Invincible filly
When asked about the quality and characteristics of the new I Am Invincible filly, Thompson shared:
“She’s a super filly. She looks a perfect mix of Zoustar and I Am Invincible - great quality. You can see a lot of Zoustar and a lot of mum in her, but she has that Vinnie strength and balance to go along with that.
“She’s (I am Invincible x Madam Rouge filly) a super filly. She looks a perfect mix of Zoustar and I Am Invincible - great quality.” - Antony Thompson
“We are very excited by her arrival, we can’t wait to watch her progress and present her at a sale.”
Thompson and the Widden Stud team are big fans of both the cross and the reverse cross between I Am Invincible and Zoustar, as Thompson explained:
I am Invincible x Madam Rouge filly | Born at Widden Stud
“Starlust, who is standing at stud now, is by Zoustar out of an Invincible Spirit mare — so a reverse cross of this filly. We bred a Zoustar daughter of ours to I Am Invincible and got Sisstainable, who has been a winner and stakes placed already, and she looks a nice filly for Tony McEvoy. So we really like what we see with the cross and the reverse cross.”
What’s next for Madam Rouge?
Madam Rouge has been given every chance at stud so far - and that continues, with her next mating set to be with exciting young shuttle stallion Too Darn Hot (GB), a decision Thompson is enthusiastic about.
“She is booked to Too Darn Hot. She is a reasonably big mare with plenty of scope, so I think she will suit him. Obviously the stallion is going well, and while he is back in Australia there is an opportunity.
Too Darn Hot (GB) | Standing at Darley
“She is the right type of mare physically for Too Darn Hot, so I quite like the mating.
“She has a lot of quality, great action, good depth to her, and is quite a roomy mare. She is throwing good-sized, quality foals, and may bring a little more leg to your typical Too Darn Hot.
“She (Madam Rouge) has a lot of quality, great action, good depth to her, and is quite a roomy mare.” - Antony Thompson
“She was an expensive mare, she is a lovely type, has had two Vinnies and two Snitzels - she deserves every chance.”
Zoustar mares are certainly in demand, as Thompson notes:
“The Zoustar mares are in high demand. He has had 11 of his daughters make a million or more now - obviously headlined by Zougotcha and Sunlight. Zoustar leaves beautiful types, and his mares will make great broodmares.”
