Exactly a year ago, Southport Tycoon captured the first of his two Group I victories in the $1 million VRC Australian Guineas (1600m), and Widden Stud is thrilled to announce his addition to our stallion roster in Victoria for 2025.
Southport Tycoon showcased his class at Flemington with a stylish length-and-a-quarter win over subsequent Group I ATC George Ryder Stakes winner Veight and Champion 3YO Riff Rocket in a vintage renewal of the autumn classic.
A handsome chestnut, very true to the Written Tycoon type, Southport Tycoon was trained throughout his career by Ciaron Maher. He won $2.4 million in prizemoney, including his Australian Guineas victory at three, followed by another prestigious Group I win at four in the MVRC Manikato Stakes (1200m) at WFA, beating the glamour Zoustar colt Growing Empire and $12.8 million earner I Wish I Win.
“A stunning-looking son of Written Tycoon that we just had to add to our roster. We fought hard to secure the horse, as there was plenty of competition for the Bennett Racing-owned colt. He looks like the obvious stallion to take the baton from his Champion sire, Written Tycoon,” said Antony Thompson.
Trainer Ciaron Maher was full of praise for his dual Group 1-winning charge:
“An imposing colt with an explosive turn of foot, he is typical of Written Tycoon. Southport Tycoon’s data was off the charts, possessing a stride length and speed profile that’s only exhibited by exceptional horses. He’s just an elite athlete, with a fantastic temperament and incredible recovery powers that made him a dream to train. His adaptability was highlighted when we had to debate whether to run in the Newmarket or the Guineas, as he would have won either!” said Maher.
In a Manikato field that contained six Group I winners, jockey Mark Zahra felt Southport Tycoon’s brilliant speed firsthand:
“Geez, he gave such a good chase, I was coming that fast. Ciaron and I were confident as he was going really well. I didn’t even have a chance to pull the whip; he was coming through that quick,” said Zahra.
As a dual Group I winner at 1200m and 1600m, Antony Thompson believes Southport Tycoon compares favourably with the current leading first-season sire Ole Kirk, who is also a dual Group I-winning son of Written Tycoon.
“Written Tycoon is making a name for himself as a sire of sires, and Ole Kirk is his only other dual Group I-winning son at stud. He has gotten off to a very strong start with his first runners,” said Thompson.
“Like Ole Kirk, Southport Tycoon is also free of Danehill blood, offering a wealth of opportunity for broodmare owners. He comes from a top-class North American female family that has worked brilliantly in Australia to produce Group I winners Artorius and Delectation, so he is the complete package in terms of race performance, pedigree, and type.”
Matt Ennis of G1 Goldmine & Stallion Match is enthusiastic about the pedigree prowess of Southport Tycoon:
“He presents breeders with an opportunity to leverage the statistically proven success of specific crosses,” says Ennis.
“The data shows that when Written Tycoon is matched with mares by sires like Snitzel, Flying Spur, and Not A Single Doubt, the results have been outstanding, not just in stakes winners but in producing runners with elite racing ability.”
Pete Murray President of TVB commented on hearing the exciting news:
“TBV and Victorian breeders welcome the decision by Widden’s Antony Thompson to stand Southport Tycoon here in Victoria.
“By Champion stallion Written Tycoon who has been the flag bearer of the Victorian industry for the past decade. Southport Tycoon has class and versatility, winning G1 WFA Manikato 1200m and 1600m G1 Australian Guineas. This reinforces the commitment from Widden in Victoria and shows the growth of our industry being able to attract such a high profile sire like Southport Tycoon, He is sure to be popular.”
With his fee set at $35,000 plus GST, Southport Tycoon will be a major boost to the Victoria industry, with a limited number of shares and breeding rights available.
For further information, contact: Antony Thompson 0427 470 507, Matt Comerford 0424 742 672, Adam Henry 0428 036 472, or Phil Marshall 0407 853 782.
