Sunlight wins huge prize for first-season sire Zoustar

Zoustar, part-owned by Qatar Racing, has produced a shining star from his very first runner as Sunlight completed a quickfire hat-trick of wins in the $2 million Listed Magic Millions 2yo Classic on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

After two minor wins at the same track, Zoustar looked the real deal when coming out on top in the 1200m Classic, seeing off 15 rivals by two lengths and more under a cool Luke Currie.

It was a rough race with Sunlight herself getting buffeted around at one stage, but the powerful filly brushed it off and stamped her authority on the race at the top of the straight.

Currie said: "Ef Troop [another of the favourites] came across quite abruptly and put us all in a bit of bother. It was important to hold my spot and it was a matter of sitting off it and not getting to it too soon. She settled off it and it was a matter of how far."

Trainer Tony McEvoy is now considering the Gr. 1 Golden Slipper Stakes for Sunlight, and she could become the first filly -- and just fourth horse overall -- to win both races.

Among those present to revel in celebrations was Tweenhills' Bloodstock Manager Hannah Wall, a member of the all-female syndicate which owns Sunlight. Sheikh Fahad and David Redvers were all also on course to cheer the filly home.

Zoustar was a Champion 3yo Sprinter and was the only dual Gr. 1-winning son of Northern Meteor, who sadly died aged just eight in 2013, shortly after being crowned Champion first-season sire in Australia in 2012-13.

Northern Meteor stood at Widden Stud, where Zoustar himself has stood for half his stallion career -- he alternates between Widden and Woodside Park Stud. Zoustar is clearly an extremely exciting young sire for all those involved with him.