Chris Waller's rising star Zousain (Zoustar {Aus}) will resume in Saturday's G2 Run To The Rose with some significant new owners involved after Widden bought a share in the colt.
Widden already stand the colt's sire Zoustar and have been keeping a close eye on Zousain, who so many good judges, including Waller, believe has a lot of similarities to his sire.
Glenlogan Park and Rifa Mustang formed a partnership with Widden to acquire equity in Zousain ahead of his 3-year-old campaign.
Widden's Marketing and Stallions Nominations Manager Ryan McEvoy, who is an original shareholder in the horse, told TDN AusNZ that Widden's Antony Thompson had been tracking Zousain's development.
"He's a horse who reminds you so much of Zoustar when you look at him and you only have to listen to Chris Waller. He's very bullish about his ability and the team were pretty keen to be involved," McEvoy said.
"He obviously races in the colours of Sheikh Fahad's Qatar Racing. They are of course a great supporter and partner in Zoustar and will be shuttling him to the UK next year. It’s nice to race one of his better sons."
"He is a seriously exciting colt and such a good-looking horse too" Widden's Ryan McEvoy on Zousain.
In Zoustar's footsteps
Zoustar's brilliant spring 3-year-old campaign in 2013 saw him claim both the G1 Golden Rose and the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. Five years later, Zousain is set on exactly the same path, and McEvoy sees significant upside in the colt.
Zoustar winning the 2013 Golden Rose
"He won a Group 2 brilliantly and was a close runner up at Group 1 level however Chris always felt whatever he did at two was a bonus. All the natural ability was there but he felt, like Zoustar, he would really come into his own as a spring three-year-old," he said.
"He is a seriously exciting colt and such a good-looking horse too. I know that when people get to see him in the yard, they rave about what a magnificent type he is. He is the most gorgeous horse."
The first-born
Zousain's 3-year-old campaign represents the next step on a journey McEvoy began when the colt was born in 2015 as Zoustar's first-ever foal at Edinglassie Stud.
He tracked the colt's progress from there and when Zousain arrived at the 2017 Magic Millions Sales as a yearling, McEvoy was so impressed that he felt compelled to be involved.
Zousain was a $400,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase
"When I saw him at the sales, he had done so well. Just a lovely, strong imposing horse with real intelligence. I was determined to put a syndicate together and go in him," he said.
Zousain, out of G3 winning Irish mare Pasar Silbano (Ire) (Elnadim {USA}) was sold for $400,000 to the bid of Guy Mulcaster & David Redvers.
As well as Qatar Bloodstock and McEvoy's syndicate, there is a number of long-time clients of Waller's, including the colt's breeder Richard Pegum, who retained a share.
Zousain's younger half-sister by Wandjina (Aus) sold for $260,000 at this year's Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, while there is also another filly by Wandjina, who is now a yearling.
"I'm sure he is the sort of colt that breeders will just fall in love with when they see him."
A stallion prospect
Beyond Zousain's racing career, which looks so promising, McEvoy is understandably a strong believer in his longer-term prospects as a stallion.
"Along with his ability, he's such a quality individual. I'm sure he is the sort of colt that breeders will just fall in love with when they see him," he said.
"It’s great to think maybe one day he too will get to stand at Widden where his sire stands and grand sire stood.”
Zoustar is standing this season at Widden Stud
