In today's Straight Shorts, a 1/60th share in top sire Zoustar has sold online for $1.1 million, New Zealand bloodstock agent launches advisory service, a rebrand for one of Australia's leading stables and how day two unfolded at the Warrnambool carnival.

Zoustar
A 1/60th share in Widden Stud flagbearer Zoustar has sold for $1.1 million. (Photo: Widden)

Zoustar share values elite stallion at $66 million

Widden Stud’s super sire Zoustar has been valued at $66 million after a 1/60th share in the rising 15-year-old sold for $1.1 million via Inglis Digital on Wednesday.

The equity holding in Zoustar, the sire of Group 1 winners Schwarz, Joliestar and US Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Starlust this season, was bought by Gold Coast-based agent Craig Rounsefell who runs Boomer Bloodstock.

The share, which was sold by Sheikh Fahad’s Qatar Bloodstock, was bought by Rounsefell on behalf of a client.

A share in Zoustar was also sold last year by Qatar Bloodstock for $1.3 million.

He will stand for an unchanged fee of $275,000 (inc GST) in 2025.

Doomben 10,000 waiting game for Rosemont retiree Schwarz

Connections of Group 1-winning stallion Schwarz are weighing up whether to give the eye-catching son of Zoustar one more start in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, the pending decision also holding up the finalisation of his service fee.

The last-start Group 1 William Reid Stakes winner, a $1.25 million yearling purchase, will retire to Victoria’s Rosemont Stud later this year with applications from breeders currently being taken on a “price on application” basis.

Schwarz won a Warwick Farm barrier trial on April 17 as a lead up to the Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane on May 17, for which the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained sprinter is the current pre-post favourite.

“We believe he’s not only Zoustar’s greatest, most successful son but also his best-looking and indeed best-bred stallion,” Rosemont bloodstock manager Ryan McEvoy said.

“As a $1.25 million Magic Millions purchase from a Group 2-winning daughter of Not A Single Doubt, who stems directly from the family of Redoute’s Choice, he combines everything you would wish for in an elite stallion prospect; type, sire-line, pedigree, attitude and Group 1-winning speed.”

The powerful sprinter is the second high-profile recruit for Rosemont in 2025, with the Anthony Mithen-led operation previously announcing Group 1-winning Dubawi sire Henry Longfellow ($22,000) would shuttle this year in a deal with Coolmore.

Shamus Award ($33,000), Hanseatic ($16,500),  Extreme Warrior ($13,200) and Doull ($7,700) will also stand at Rosemont’s Gnarwarre property this year.

Toronado unchanged, Wooded returns for Swettenham

Swettenham Stud flag bearer Toronado, a top-five sire by winners globally in 2024 and the sire of million dollar yearlings in 2025, will remain unchanged at a fee of $88,000 (all fees inc GST) this year.

Toronado will be complemented on the Swettenham roster by second season sire Lofty Strike, a sprinting son of Snitzel who will also stand for an unchanged fee of $22,000, while shuttler Wooded returns for a fourth season at a lower fee of $16,500.

A son of Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s best stallions, Wooded’s first crop southern hemisphere-bred yearlings have sold up to $200,000 this year.

I Am Immortal, the sire of Showdown-winning two-year-old McGaw and VOBIS Gold Ingot winner I Am Velvet, has had his fee set at $8,800.

Puissance De Lune also remains on the Swettenham roster, with his “value fee” available on application.

The Adam Sangster-owned farm will again offer the Swettenham Breeder Protection, providing breeders the added confidence that if anything  happens in the first three months of the foal’s life that prevents them from being a racing  prospect, Swettenham Stud will honour a free return on all stallions. 

New name for prominent training partnership

One of Australia’s best-known training operations has been rebranded.

The partnership formerly registered as Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald has been changed.

It will now be known Annabel and Rob Archibald following their recent marriage.

The couple became official training partners at the start of the season.

They are closing in on 200 winners in 2024/25 to sit third behind Ciaron Maher and Chris Waller in the national trainers’ premiership.

Agent Perry launches bloodstock consultancy

Renowned New Zealand bloodstock agent Bruce Perry is expanding his business, launching a new advisory service.

Perry, who has worked closely with the likes of prominent New Zealand owner and breeder Lib Petagna, will open Bruce Perry Consultancy with the aim of helping new owners, breeders and investors with unbiased and expert guidance to help navigate the industry.

It will run in conjunction with his existing bloodstock agency business.

“A lot of people may not have the time to be at sales and have the opportunity to see the international side of the industry and no doubt they have questions on many aspects of breeding and racing.” Perry said.

“Whether you are new to racing and breeding, seeking a more structured approach to existing investment, or require an impartial, experienced perspective, Bruce Perry Consultancy can provide expertly tailored support.

“I believe there is a gap in the market for this type of support service and believe it is a positive move for the industry. We need to keep people involved in the game, at all levels, for the longest time and we need them to succeed.

“It’s really about identifying risk and trying to avoid any pitfalls.”

Well-supported Dashing salutes in Wangoom Handicap

Trainer Aaron Purcell was thankful for limited choices as Dashing revelled in deteriorating conditions to win the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool.

Resuming from a spell, Dashing was forced to cover ground in the Listed race but his liking for soft ground and a no-nonsense approach to his trade served him well to give Purcell a hometown victory.

In delivering on a late betting move, Dashing ($9) held off Fortunate Kiss ($6.50) to score by a half-length.

South Australian-trained Dubai Poet ($18) finished 1-1/4 lengths away third.

"At the start of the preparation, it wasn't really on the cards (but) there wasn't really any other logical start-off points," Purcell said.

"He's a bit awkwardly rated in the 90s, so the options for him are a bit slim. He seemed to be going better than ever and the closer we got to the race, he just seemed so well.

"He always runs well, so we knew he'd be in the finish somewhere.”

Payne stable outfoxes rivals to claim Galleywood Hurdle

Patrick Payne has completed the full set of Warrnambool jumps features after The Cunning Fox added to a growing reputation by winning the $150,000 Galleywood Hurdle.

The Cunning Fox, unbeaten in four hurdle races before Wednesday, came through his sternest test under jockey Tom Ryan.

An accomplished Flat performer before switching to jumping last season, The Cunning Fox raced in a forward position before holding off the favourite Affluential.

Payne’s first Galleywood success complements a Brierly Steeplechase win in 2017 and four Grand Annual Steeplechase victories.

Grand jumper Zed Em figures twice on the trainer’s honour roll with his Brierly win and Grand Annual triumph two years later.

Payne shared his Galleywood breakthrough with sister Michelle as co-trainer.

"It was a fantastic version of the Galleywood," stable representative Neil Greaves said.

"We have a lot of confidence in The Cunning Fox, but we weren't that sure he was going to be good enough to beat Affluential and Stern Idol and the rest of the field was pretty solid as well.”

Opportunity knocks for Lindsay Park youngsters at Warrnambool

Lindsay Park produced a clean sweep of two-year-old racing during the Warrnambool carnival for the second time in as many years when The Opportunist shed his maiden status on the second day.

Fresh from the training operation producing Mrs Iglesia to win the VOBIS Gold Strike on Tuesday, The Opportunist delivered for the same connections on Wednesday.

Like Mrs Iglesia, The Opportunist, a Foxwedge colt, is raced under the Revelstone Stud banner of Jeff and Rhonda Garrett.

(Jeff and Rhonda) breed these horses and to have a double at Warrnambool, they were just saying they'll have to bring a whole team here next year,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said.

“They've had the greatest time ever.”

The Opportunist stepped out in the Debutant Stakes in the early part of the season but took another four starts to break through.

Hayes and his brothers Will and JD trained Harpalee and La Pleine Lune to win during last year’s three-day carnival.

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