Widden Stud Purchase Exaltation

Media Release - Friday March 25

Widden Stud have a new addition to their broodmare band after purchasing Te Akau Racing mare Exaltation with a $560,000 final bid on Gavelhouse Plus on Friday night.

Described by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM as one of the nicest types he’s bought at Karaka, the Not A Single Doubt half sister to 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle attracted plenty of interest from the outset, hitting her $300,000 reserve on Wednesday.

Starting the final day of the auction at $410,000, steady bidding throughout the day saw her climb another $140,000 with 13 individual bidders participating throughout the five days.

Advertisement

Exaltation  sold for $560,000 to Widden Stud.

“She ticks a lot of boxes that we look for in a potential broodmare. She’s a half to a champion mare in Melody Belle, by a leading sire, and was purchased by a very good judge in David Ellis for $900,000 as a yearling,” Widden Stud’s Finance Manager Andrew Swales said.

“She’s an ideal candidate for Zoustar. Widden had great success recently with a yearling bred on the same cross, realising $1.25 million to the Victorian Alliance. Here’s hoping lightning can strike twice.”

In-foal to Champion Sire Savabeel having been mated in early November and racing on to go out in winning fashion last month over 2000m, Exaltation won five of her 15 starts over distances from 1200m to 2000m while placing on three occasions. 

“It’s great she’s going to such an iconic stud. I’ve been to Widden and it’s a truly remarkable farm where I’m sure she will get every chance,” Ellis said.

“I look forward to inspecting her progeny in the coming years.”

Advertisment
More Reading...
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Yulong Strike for $675,000 I Am Invincible Colt
Champion Australian stallion I Am Invincible sired the two highest-priced lots on the opening day of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Wednesday, including a colt that was snapped up by the high-flying Yulong operation for $675,000.
Extraordinary Results on Record Day One at NZB Ready to Run
Day One of NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale witnessed incredible results across the board, including an Australasian record for a two-year-old at auction.
€1million Sea the Stars Colt Tops Goffs Foal Sale Day 3
Godolphin swung into sales action overnight at the Goffs November Foal Sale purchasing a colt by Sea the Stars for €1million to top the third session of the sale.