Persuader becomes fifth Stakes winner for Zoustar

Australian sensation Zoustar - who will join the Tweenhills stallion roster in 2019 at a fee of £25,000 - gained his fifth individual Stakes winner (all from his first crop) when Persuader won a Listed race on Saturday.

Persuader had finished third in a Listed race as a maiden in April and, after getting off the mark last month, she quickly bounced back to winning ways in the 15-runner Listed MRC Members Twilight Glow Stakes over 1400m.

Given a good ride by Noel Callow, Persuader hit the line with a length in hand over Eawase.

Persuader is out of Fastnet Rock mare Fast Talker, yet another good prospect by Zoustar out of a Danehill line mare.

Persuader was purchased by bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills who said:

“I bought her at the Magic Millions for $360,000 for client Heath Newton who I really want to give a shout out too.

“She’s got a beautiful page and Heath is putting together a broodmare band and obviously Zoustar is just red hot. They were expensive purchases, $360,000 for a filly by a first season stallion.”

Winning trainer Mick Price said the three-year-old would have some time off now with an eye to an autumn campaign.

“I think she’s got a place in the autumn. She’s a stakes-filly now so her rating will go up. We will put her out without bottoming her out and she will do really well. I think she has got a big autumn in front of her.”

Zoustar has 51 yearlings selling at the Magic Millions.