The catalogue for May’s Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale continues to strengthen with the addition of elite Group One winner Startantes, offered in foal to Australia’s nine-time Group One-winning Champion, Anamoe.

To be presented as part of the Widden Stud draft, Startantes shapes as one of a growing list of standout mares for this year’s sale, offering buyers a rare opportunity to secure a Champion 3YO Filly carrying her first foal to one of the most exciting young stallions in the country.
 
Prepared by leading Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote during her racing career, Startantes was a multiple winner at two before rising to the elite level at three, where she consistently performed against the very best of her generation.
 
The daughter of Star Turn secured her Group One victory in the Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm, defeating fellow elite performers Snapdancer and Palaisipan. She also finished a narrow second in the Group One Surround Stakes and was placed in the Group One Flight Stakes, performances that saw her crowned Joint Champion 3YO Filly of Australia in the 2021/22 season.
 
Throughout her career, Startantes defeated a host of Group One winners, including Fangirl, Atishu, Espiona, Snapdancer, Shout The Bar and Rothfire, underlining her quality at the highest level.
 
Her pedigree continues to build. She is out of the Group Two-winning mare Funtantes, who has produced six winners from six runners — all metropolitan winners — highlighting the remarkable consistency and strength of the family.
 
The page received a timely update with her full brother Fabulantes since being Group performed, and his dominant performance to win the $500,000 QTIS 3YO Jewel, suggests he will make his presence felt over the carnival with Group One targets on the radar. 
 
Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson said Startantes represents a rare opportunity in the current market.
 
“To secure a Group One-winning sprinter-miler, who was at the very top of her generation, carrying her first foal to Anamoe — a Champion racehorse and a young stallion with all the credentials to develop into a leading sire of the future, is rare. 
 
“Physically, the mating is an outstanding match. Startantes is very much in that strong, speed-oriented mould we’ve had success with at Widden, much like Secret Trail, who produced Anamoe’s first $1 million-plus yearling earlier this year.
 
“She is also out of the Group Two-winning mare Funtantes, from a prolific family that consistently produces high-quality, winning horses. There’s already further upside too, with her three-year-old full brother now Group performed and targeting the Group One Stradbroke Handicap.
 
Widden Stud has also confirmed Group Two Angus Armanasco Stakes winner Sassy Boom, Sisstainable — a stakes performer and close relation to Sunlight — and stakes winner Hard Rock Girl, in foal to Zoustar, among a strong draft set to head north for the sale.
 
“The timing of the Magic Millions National Sale is ideal, it’s a beautiful time of year to be on the Gold Coast and the results consistently speak for themselves. There is always a deep and competitive buying bench at Magic Millions providing vendors with the best possible platform to maximise returns on elite stock.”
 
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said Startantes added further depth and momentum to an already strong catalogue.

“Startantes was extremely well bought previously and the page has continued to develop since, with her full brother looking to follow in her footsteps over the upcoming Autumn and Brisbane carnivals.
 
“We’ve seen what Anamoe can achieve with quality mares in the sale ring this year and only anticipate the demand for his stock to continue rising as his runners hit the racetrack later in the year.
 
“We’ve also seen the impact first season sires can make on the racetrack with their first crop, highlighted again over the weekend in the Golden Slipper, and that only adds to the appeal in Startantes.
 
“The National Sale is strengthening each and every day, and mares of this calibre are exactly what the market is seeking.”
 
Startantes joins an outstanding line-up already confirmed for the National Broodmare Sale, including elite racetrack performers Legarto, O’ Ole, Stretan Angel and Vibrant Sun.

Entries are now closing for all sections of the National Sale, click here to enter today.