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A week after he had the equal-third highest-priced yearling ever sold in Australia, Zoustar has had his fee increased to a career-high $198,000.
Widden Stud revealed the rise for its banner resident when announcing its fees for the 17 stallions it stands in New South Wales and Victoria.
The son of Northern Meteor last week had his colt out of Solar Charged, who is a brother to triple Group 1 winner Sunlight, sell for $3 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
He stood for $154,000 last year and 2019, either side of a $121,000 in 2020, when most farms reduced fees in the uncertain first year of Covid, having stood for $60,500 in 2018 after commanding $44,000 in his first four seasons.
"Zoustar has had 97 yearlings sell in 2022 averaging over $435,000 including five individual million dollar lots proving himself in the very top bracket of elite commercial sires," Widden Stud principal Antony Thompson said.
"The best son of our ill-fated champion sire Northern Meteor, Zoustar has been Champion First, Second and Third Season Sire and is now well established as a premium source of stakes-winners.
"He has left the winners of over $55million in prizemoney and consistently produces brilliant juveniles including this season's high-class stakes-winning colts Millane and Brereton."
A factor in Widden's decision to increase the Golden Rose and Coolmore Stud Stakes winner's fee is that the rising 12-year-old's 2022 book will be restricted to around 160 mares as he will again shuttle to Tweenhills Stud in the UK in the Northern Hemisphere breeding season.
Zoustar's hike was one of three for stallions based at Widden's Hunter Valley property with Written By up from $24,750 to $27,500 after a successful first season on the yearling sale circuit, while Zousain – a Zoustar – is up to $22,000 from $19,800.
As announced last week, Rebel Dane – who stood for $8800 last year, joins the Widden roster at $27,500, the same fee as new resident Portland Sky.
In Victoria, Nicconi and Russian Camelot are the headline acts at $22,000, while Doubtland is joined at $16,500 by Magnus, who is up from $15,400 last year.
WIDDEN FEES 2022
HUNTER VALLEY
Zoustar $198,000 ($154,000 last year)
Trapeze Artist $55,000 ($66,000)
Rebel Dane $27,500 ($8800)
Portland Sky $27,500 (new)
Written By $27,500 ($24,750)
Zousain $22,000 ($19,800)
Anders $16,500 (same)
Supido $8800 (same)
Stratum Star $5500 ($8800)
VICTORIA
Nicconi $22,000 ($27,500)
Russian Camelot $22,000 (same)
Doubtland $16,500 (same)
Star Witness $14,300 ($16,500)
Magnus $16,500 ($15,400)
Fiorente $9900 ($11,000)
National Defense $7700 ($9900)
Thronum $7700 (same)
