The leading sire by worldwide winners in 2025, Widden Stud’s flagship sire Zoustar kicked off on New Year’s Day with a brand new stakes-winner when Queen Zou captured the Group II Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie and her full sister is headed to Inglis Premier.
The stakes-winning run of her trainer Stephen Marsh rolled on in inevitable fashion as blueblood mare Queen Zou produced a determined finish to claim a last stride win.
The five-year-old daughter of Zoustar was tasked with defending the title in the race claimed by the Marsh-trained Bourbon Empress in 2025 and did so courtesy of a patient ride from Matt Cartwright, who had also been aboard last year’s winner.
Marsh was keen to see plenty of speed in the race as that favoured the hard-closing style of his charge and admitted he was giggling as he saw pacemaker Midnight Edition being pressured by a wave of contenders approaching the home bend.
“This is a race we wanted to win with her and I just loved how they put the pressure on so far out as she was just stalking (them),” Marsh said.
“She looked awesome beforehand and it is very exciting and rewarding for everyone.”
Cartwright had been careful to keep the mare in her normal racing pattern throughout the race, settling third last against the rail and not asking her for an effort until the pressure went on around the home turn.
Queen Zou moved effortlessly into contention at the 300m and found another gear as she charged to the lead to beat a brave Son Of Son.
“It means a lot to us as this is the first horse that Dylan (Johnson, racing manager) and I really stepped out and paid a lot of money for and we’re lucky we have such fantastic and loyal owners,” Marsh said.
“I said to the owners that she walks around like a panther and Matt was confident (before the race), which is half the battle.
“It looks like the Thorndon Mile (Gr.2, 1600m) will be next for her.”
Marsh will be looking to hold on to the Thorndon Mile crown he won with quality mare Provence in 2025 when the race is contested at Trentham on 17 January.
Cartwright was also full of praise for one of his favourite horses.
“She is such a beautiful, honest mare and one who is so deserving of a win like this,” he said.
“She put the writing on the wall last start (runner up in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes, 1600m) at Te Rapa.
“We enjoyed a beautiful run, got out at the right time and she just attacked the line.
“She means a lot to me and I was quite excited after the line. I feel like she is up to Group One quality and can take that next step.”
Raced by a number of long-time stable supporters including the Bourbon Lane Stable New Zealand LLC Partnership, Queen Zou has the overall record of five wins from 17 starts with prizemoney topping $320,000.
Bred by Phoenix Thoroughbreds, she was a $650,000 purchase from the Vinery Stud draft at Inglis Easter and is the best of four named foals from Lady Oracle (GB), a placed half-sister by Medaglia D’Oro to stakes-winner Varda and to the dam of Group I winner Kementari from Group III winner Wild Queen.
Lady Oracle is from the Joy and Fun branch of the Denise’s Joy family that is packed with stakes-winners so Queen Zou has become a very valuable mare with that G2 win on her resume.
She was covered early last spring by Golden Slipper winner Shinzo after missing to him the year before.
Queen Zou is the 74th stakes-winner for Zoustar, who has a stellar selection of 34 yearlings for Magic Millions.
