In a landmark moment for Widden Stud, Zoustar has claimed Australia’s Champion General Sire title for the 2023/24 season. This achievement marks the first time since Marscay’s triumph in 1993 that a Widden stallion has topped the table.
By Northern Meteor, Zoustar is a global force. He was the world’s leading sire of winners in 2024 and now commands a service fee of $275,000, the equal third-highest in the country.
What sets Zoustar apart is his extraordinary consistency. Despite not banking earnings from any of Australia’s mega-prizemoney races such as The Everest, Golden Eagle, or Melbourne Cup, Zoustar’s progeny amassed a $3.56 million lead over nearest rival, I Am Invincible. His season included 15 individual stakes winners and 23 stakes victories, with Group 1 winners Joliestar and Schwarz his standouts.
“Zoustar’s had a lot of horses achieve consistent success without relying on one standout,” Widden’s Antony Thompson told ANZ News. “It’s a very proud achievement for both the stallion and the farm.”
Trained by Chris Waller, Zoustar won six of his nine starts, including the Group 1 Golden Rose and Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. He also claimed the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes. Plans to race on the international stage in Royal Ascot’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes were unfortunately cut short due to a minor suspensory ligament strain. The injury ended his racing career, and he was subsequently retired to Widden Stud.
At just 15, Zoustar is also the youngest among Australia’s top sires. He’ll cover around 150 elite mares this spring, including Bella Nipotina, Ms Bad Behavior (dam of Switzerland), and triple Group 1 winner Shoals.
With improving mare quality and top-tier trainers behind his stock, the future looks brighter than ever. As Thompson puts it: “The best is still ahead of him.”
