New and Proven Balance Widden Sire Mix

Meanwhile, young gun Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) produced stunning first foals last spring and is moving into the next exciting phase of his stud career with weanlings set to hit major sales in the coming weeks and months. Written By's first crop make their sales debut this year as he returns to his original fee of $24,750 in light of the continuing upward spiral of his sire Written Tycoon, whose champion son Capitalist is now the leading Australian sire of 2YOs. The Widden team are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the first foals of Zoustars's brilliant son Zousain, who completed his debut season with an impressive book of 188 mares last spring. New recruits this year are dual Irish-bred Gr1 winner Russian Camelot (Camelot) and brilliant speedsters Anders and Doubtland, who are all priced attractively, the latter pair similar in profile to their now retired outstanding sire Not a Single Doubt (Redoute's Choice). Ever-reliable Nicconi (Bianconi) has recorded 93 winners and progeny earnings of over $7.3m this season, his offspring highlighted by the world's highest-rated sprinter in Nature Strip, who nailed a sixth Gr1 success when going back-to-back in the TJ Smith, a performance which saw his slot in The Everest confirmed. Star Witness (Starcraft) has enjoyed yet another bumper season, represented by nine stakes performers, including a quinella in the Magic Millions Guineas via Aim and subsequent Gr1-Newmarket placed Amish Boy, Gr2 winner Graff and Gr3 winners Explosive Witness and Threeood. Reigning champion Victorian-based sire Magnus (Flying Spur) occupies ninth position on the Australian sires table with 98 winners this season, including Gr1 winner Streets Of Avalon, while Bel Esprit (Royal Academy) continues to add to his tall of 740 winners and $77m in progeny earnings. Irish-bred Fiorente (Monsun) notched his sixth stakes winner recently with the exciting 3YO Liqueuro who looms as a leading fancy in the Gr1 SAJC South Australian Derby. British-bred Champion 2YO National Defense (Invincible Spirit) had his first runner place second over 900m at Keeneland earlier this month, while dual Gr1 winner Palentino (Teofilo) has a host of promising performers ready to hit the track.

Zousain's first foals are highly anticipated (pic: Steve Hart)