AUSTRALIAN trained and Australian grown three-year-old, Star Witness, had the nation’s eyes upon him when he stepped out among royalty at England’s world event of racing at Royal Ascot last month.
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The star colt (pictured after finishing third in the Golden Jubilee Stakes with trainer, Danny O’Brien, Melbourne, far left) gave the on-route Rural Press/Quadrant UK/France Thoroughbred tour group a special horse to cheer for trackside at Royal Ascot, and did not let his team down.
“He franked his record (with his English performances),” said Antony Thompson, a seventh generation Thompson of Widden stud, where the horse will retire to for its first stud duties this season.
“When you look at it (race record), he has had two Group One wins (in Australia), two Group One seconds, a Group One third, so that has really added to his record.
“With a bit more luck he could have won two (races) over there (England), but when you strike a heavy track (Golden Jubilee Stakes), and miss the start over 1000 metres (King’s Stand Stakes), it does not always quite work your way. But we were very happy with the way he went.”
Star Witness missed being presented with the winner’s trophy in the Golden Jubilee Stakes by the Queen, having finished third in that race, and second at his other Royal Ascot start in the King’s Stand Stakes.
Now he is about to step on a plane and jet home to spend three weeks at western Sydney’s Eastern Creek quarantine facility, before arriving at the Widden Valley property.
His stud start is assured with 140 broodmares already awaiting his return (including Group One winners Culminate, Dane Julia and Uppsethym), with only a few places left.
“We (Widden) have limited his book to 150 mares, as we have found that is a manageable number for a first season horse.
n Don’t miss the Sires Of The Season special liftout in this week's issue.
