| Group One winning sprinter Climbing Star is the latest highlight entry confirmed for May’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast. |
| Described by trainer Phillip Stokes as the “sweetest mover I have ever had the pleasure of training,” Climbing Star will be out to enhance her race record prior to being offered through the Widden Stud draft on the Gold Coast. Stokes confirmed the outstanding daughter of Zoustar will aim to defend her Robert Sangster Stakes title at the end of April before she is sold. Last year the explosive sprinter won the Group One Sangster at Morphettville in a field packed of quality – those behind included Learning to Fly, Benedetta, I Am Me, Stretan Angel, Estriella, Zapateo, Skew Wiff and Roots. In September she was also close up in the Manikato Stakes won by Southport Tycoon where she was ahead of Group One winners Veight and Jimmysstar and just half a length from I Wish I Win. Earlier in her career she blitzed her rivals in a dominant Listed Matrice Stakes success. Climbing Star has always been held in high regard by Stokes and after falling in love with her at the sales he was determined to have her in his stable. “I went to $600,000 to buy her as a yearling because she was a stand out on type and conformation, and I trained her half brother Sansom to multiple stakes success and nine wins in total, so I was well aware of the strength in her pedigree,” Stokes pointed out. “After winning on debut we had no hesitation in stepping her up to stakes level at her second start and she has gone on to prove herself to be a mare of the highest calibre, capturing Group One success in last year’s Sangster Stakes.” “She has a great attitude and is very sound – two traits which have enabled her to race competitively at the elite level throughout her career.” “We are looking forward to her defending her Sangster Stakes crown at the end of April,” Stokes added. By Widden Stud’s super sire Zoustar, Climbing Star is a half sister to Stokes’ nine time winner and half a million dollar earner Sansom – himself a multiple Group race winner. Climbing Star’s dam, the winning Fastnet Rock mare Bryony, is a sister to Group One winner Heroic Valour and half sister to Doncaster winner Triple Honour. “We are delighted to present Climbing Star on behalf of her ownership group,” Widden’s Antony Thompson said. “Having been raised and sold by Widden as a yearling it is a thrill to be able to sell her for a second time, now as a Group One winner.” “Climbing Star was a standout on the farm since the day she was born and she is now a magnificent mare that epitomises all of Zoustar’s qualities.” In addition to Climbing Star, Widden will present multiple Group Three winner Drifting (Zousain) and two-year-old Group Two winner Lazzago (Capitalist) who is in foal to Zoustar. “They will complement the quality of the Widden draft at this year’s Magic Millions National Sale,” Thompson added. Entries for the 2025 Magic Millions National Sale, across weanlings, racefillies, broodmares and yearlings, are closing now and those interested in presenting their stock to a global audience should contact a member of the Magic Millions Bloodstock Team. |
