Antony Thompson

Edited Press Release Cogburn (Not This Time--In a Jif, by Saintly Look) has had a successful start to his stud career, achieving excellent fertility results during his first season at WinStar Farm. The enthusiasm and demand for him internationally was also outstanding, however, while in Australia, fertility results were lower than his domestic performance and the decision was made to cut short Cogburn's visit to Australia. Cogburn had a busy book in Kentucky, getting 143 mares in foal, however his early results in Australia indicated a decline that warrants further...

By Kristen Manning/TTR AusNZ In one of the most significant votes in Australian racing history, members of the Australian Turf Club (ATC) have rejected the proposed A$5-billion sale of Rosehill Gardens, voting down a controversial resolution that would have seen the iconic western Sydney racecourse redeveloped into housing. The final result was 56.1 per cent against and 43.9 per cent in favour, with 4413 members voting "No" and 3451 voting "Yes". The vote marked the end of an 18-month saga that saw heated debate, a parliamentary inquiry, and widespread industry...

The International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation (ITBF) will be hosting its annual, free to attend, live event at 12pm (London time) on Tuesday, February 18. International racing broadcaster, Nick Luck, will put questions to six breeding experts, from six countries, on how their nations are reacting to the issues currently facing the Thoroughbred breeding industry. Attendees will learn about new initiatives, implemented schemes and proven methods within the different countries. An open Q&A session will then follow, with Luck putting to the panellists questions received from attendees in the registration process...

Carrying a foal by hot sire Justify on Southern Hemisphere time, stakes-placed April Vintage (Vino Rosso) topped the Inglis Digital USA October Sale Tuesday when selling to Widden Stud of Australia for $180,000. More details on the mare and her consignment by WinStar Farm are available here. "She is an outcross to our traditional Australian sire lines and the fact that she showed good, natural speed as a 2-year-old was important," said Antony Thompson of Widden Stud. "Physically, she looks suitable to plenty of our own stallions, and buying through...

Zoustar (Aus), the "flagship sire" at Widden Stud in Australia, has had his 2024 fee increased to A$275,000 (around €168,000) from A$220,000 (€134,000) ahead of the Southern Hemisphere breeding season, it was announced on Wednesday. A dual Group 1-winning sprinter in 2013 when trained by Chris Waller, Zoustar is now well established as one of the leading sires in Australia and has enjoyed an outstanding season on the track in 2023/24, with Zougotcha (Aus), Joliestar (Aus), Climbing Star (Aus) and the recently retired Ozzmosis (Aus) all winning at the top...

Aushorse has released its 2024 Investor's Guide, which pulls together the latest information on the Australian Thoroughbred industry. The guide presents investors with plenty of reasons to participate in the industry, according to Aushorse, including: Australia will host a race worth a million dollars or more every 3.8 days in 2024, while prizemoney across the country has soared 45% in the past five years; the average prizemoney per race in Australia is A$50,800; and in four of the past five years Australia has hosted more of the top-rated Group 1...