Online stallion parades prevailed for Hunter Valley studs this season, a phenomenon evolved due to coronavirus, but some restricted visits were held.
During my recent, but curbed, stallion tour, Widden Stud, in the spectacular Widden Valley, was among visits.
Its 10 stallions were in fabulous order with Written By (by Written Tycoon), Star Witness (Starcraft) and Your Song (Fastnet Rock) featuring with some eye-catching hind-legged displays. Commanding a $121,000 fee, Zoustar (Northern Meteor) made headlines recently when his first crop daughter Sunlight (won $6.5million), fetched $4.2m at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
His eye-catching first season son, Zouzain paraded in style, and who is built in a similar mould to his sire, but a bit "thicker" set.
Widden horse handlers also paraded first foals by its second seasoners Written By and four times Group 1 winner Trapeze Artist (Snitzel), as well as yearlings by its third seasoner and Sebring speedster Supido, and fourth seasoner Stratum Star (Stratum), whose first crop sold to $180,000 at this year's major sales.
Widden's Exceed And Excel horse Outreach is coming along with winners, while his stable companion Nicconi (Bianconi) has his multiple Group 1 winning son Nature Strip listed as favourite for the $15m The Everest at Randwick next month.
On the road to Gundy, Arrowfield Stud, has been showcasing its stallions, their headliner Snitzel, fresh after taking his fourth successive Champion Australian Sires title.
Their New Zealand bred representative is Dundeel, which has been racing up the sires' charts, with his best racing son (and $2.9m earner) Castelvecchio joining him on Arrowfield's roster.
Snitzel's outstanding racing son Showtime, and Redoute's Choice son The Autumn Sun are represented with their first foals, while another Redoute's Choice horse Pariah will see his first yearlings sell next year.
Queensland foaled, and formerly standing in Victoria, 18 year-old Written Tycoon is now available at Arrowfield. He has sired 34 stakes winners, while his yearlings sold to $1.5m earlier this year.
Arrowfield's Irish bred stallion is Shalaa, whose first Australian bred yearlings sold to $600,000. He is by champion UK sire Invincible Spirit, who spent four seasons in Victoria in the early 2000s, and left behind an Australian headliner I Am Invincible, who holds court at nearby Yarraman Park. Owned and operated by the Mitchell family, the Scone property staff are looking forward to presenting the first yearlings for sale next year by Hellbent, I Am Invincible's Group 1 winning son.
Over at Coolmore Stud its champion US racers American Pharoah and Justify looked terrific. New shuttle boys Calyx, Magna Grecia, as well as Yes Yes Yes paraded well, as other Irish bred sires Adelaide and Churchill, Australian bred Pierro and New Zealand bred So You think.
Additionally is Fastnet Rock (Danehill), his son Merchant Navy, Rubick (Encosta de Lago), Choisir (Danehill Dancer), Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry), Vancouver (Medaglia d'Oro), and Japanese bred Saxon Warrior totalling 16 stallions.
While largely aiming for the owner/breeder, I stopped at Kingstar Farm, near Denman, its management currently involved in a multi-million-dollar property upgrade.
They offer services to three Danehill line sires Bullpoint (Fastnet Rock), Lord Of The Sky (Danerich), and new boy Unite And Conquer, a precocious summer two-year-old Melbourne stakes winner.
Added meets
THE Dubbo Turf Club's country showcase cup meeting is set for Sunday September 13, but the central district's circuit will first host an additional Non-Tab meet this Saturday, which was included by a Racing NSW initiative due to Covid-19.
Other additional Non-Tab meetings include September Saturdays at Coonabarabran 5; Moree 19, and Narrandera 26. Racing NSW also added a picnic meet at Gilgandra on Saturday September 26.
It should be noted that the $50,000 Showcase Picnic Championship, a $50,000 Country Magic Class 2, and $40,000 Country Showcase Maiden is also listed on the $100,000 Dubbo Cup meet.
But first there is the Moree Cup this Sunday, the Tuncurry-Forster Cup Friday 11, the Griffith Cup Saturday 12, and the Bowraville and Enngonia Cups Saturday 19.