Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Widden Stud has teamed up with G1 Goldmine to offer discounts on their stallions to mares who are a 20/20 or Perfect Match on the G1 Goldmine system.
“We’ve always said the right mare for a stallion is one whose pedigree fits his, and G1 Goldmine gives breeders a way to see that in a minute. Putting an offer on those mares made sense to us. If a breeder has done the homework and the match is there, we want that mare in the book,” Widden’s Matt Comerford said.
Up to 50% discount even on Zoustar
All 18 of Widden Stud’s stallions across NSW and Victoria are included, even Champion Sire Zoustar. But there’s a catch. A broodmare owner won’t know if their mare qualifies until they put her into the G1 Goldmine system and do a test mating.
But once that’s done and she returns a Perfect Match, the system will pop up with a Match Offer and the broodmare owner can email Widden directly to enquire about the discount.
“Every service fee discount I have seen in 20 years in this industry was negotiated by a person,” Managing Director of G1 Goldmine, Matthew Ennis said.
Matthew Ennis | Image courtesy of G1 Goldmine
“This is the first on our platform where the pairing of mare and stallion decides. Widden have put an offer on 18 of their stallions, and no breeder will know whether their mare qualifies until they search her.”
“This is the first on our platform where the pairing of mare and stallion decides.” - Matthew Ennis
While Widden is the first farm to sign up for Match Offers, G1 Goldmine’s system can be utilised by any stallion farm wishing to extend a similar Perfect Match offer for their stallions.
According to G1 Goldmine, the Perfect Match pattern appears in the pedigrees of 24% of stakes winners and 3% of underperforming horses, based on Australian horses since 2021.
Some outstanding patterns
When Plagiarism (Written By) won the G3 Up & Coming Stakes this spring, it was no surprise to Widden or to purchaser Tracey Rook of RedFox Bloodstock. He was the fourth stakes winner by Written By out of a Snitzel mare.
“It's an incredible cross. It’s one of the most phenomenal statistics out there for Snitzel mares. It's unbelievable. I think he’s had 11 winners from 17 runners, with four stakes winners and another stakes-placed,” Comerford said.
Matt Comerford | Image courtesy of Inglis
Widden Stud’s Champion sire Zoustar has 11 Group 1 winners and three are out of Fastnet Rock mares, being this weekend’s G1 The Everest runner Joliestar ex Jolie Bay (Fastnet Rock), Climbing Star (NZ) ex Bryony (Fastnet Rock) and Zougotcha ex Fast Talker (Fastnet Rock).
For other stallions on the Widden roster things are not so clear cut. Trapeze Artist’s 13 stakes winners are out of mares by 12 different stallions with only Sebring repeated via Group 1 winner Griff and Group 3 winner Pinito.
However, their success gives breeders a clue; Snitzel and his sons combined with More Than Ready (USA) and his descendants have also produced Group 1 winners Shinzo and Media Award (Shamus Award), amongst a hit rate of 7.4% stakes winners and 12.2% stakes horses to runners. Snitzel directly over More Than Ready mares hits at 11% stakes winners to runners.
Snitzel over Starcraft (NZ) mares will be on people's minds after the weekend, courtesy of G1 Toorak Handicap winner Lady Shenandoah; the direct cross strikes at a head-turning 30% stakes winners to runners and 84.6% winners.
While there is no magic formula to generate a Group 1 winner, looking deeper than the damsire's performance with a specific stallion may shine a greater light on what might suit a mare. The deep analysis with the ability to snag a discount if your mare lines up well makes the exploration very tempting.
Gallery: Widden Stud NSW stallions
Gallery: Widden Stud Victoria stallions
