Zoustar yearlings shine at the Goffs UK Premier Sale

The first European yearlings by International sire sensation Zoustar proved popular at this year’s Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and were topped by Lot 237 who sold for £95,000 to Bryan Smart.

The colt formed part of Barton Stud’s draft and is out of the Stakes-winning 2yo Melbourne Memories, who was also placed in the Gr.3 Fred Darling Stakes. The colt proved popular with buyers from both hemispheres as Australian agency Suman Hedge Bloodstock, who have paid seven-figure sums for the progeny of Zoustar in Australia, were underbidder.

After the sale, Gr.1-winning trainer Bryan Smart commented “For the last two days I’ve kept my powder dry because this was the horse I wanted. He’s for a client in the yard. I loved the way he walked, and he had a bit of arrogance about him, so was definitely my type. I’ve been getting my head around Zoustars over the past two days – I’ve seen a lot, but I just loved this horse. He’s the dog’s b******s.”

Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock went to £65,000 to secure Lot 246, consigned by Hillwood Stud. The Zoustar colt is out of Stakes winner Miss You Too, who was also placed at Gr.1 level as a 2yo.

Lot 398 went the way of Stephen Hillen and Kevin Ryan for £60,000. The son of Zoustar is out of the Havana Gold mare Worship, an impressive debut winner at 2 before going on to be rated 100 after running in the 1000 Guineas.

The Zoustars also proved popular with breeze-up consignors. Roger Marley of Church Farm Stables went to £70,000 to secure a filly out of Stakes placed 2yo sprinter Natural. Mick Murphy of Longways Stables was the purchaser of two Zoustars: a filly out of dual Gr.3 winner Ainippe and a colt out of multiple sprint winner Always A Drama, who made £44,000.

“The sire is just different gravy. What he has achieved in Australia in such a short space of time is unbelievable. I wanted to get a mare in foal to him but instead I’ve bought a few at the sales!”

Donnacha O’Brien was the successful purchaser of Lot 356, a Zoustar daughter of the Street Cry mare Street Marie, secured for £45,000.

Shortly after Tim Easterby, fresh from training this year’s Gr.1 Nunthorpe Stakes winner, went to £40,000 to secure Lot 384 who is out of the Stakes winning 2yo Valonia.

Zoustar looks to have an exciting sales season ahead and will be represented at all the top yearling sales in Europe, including Tattersalls Book 1 where he has 8 selling including a half-sister to Gr.1-winning sprinter Golden Horde.