Widden, Ortensia and Prussian Secret

By Harley Walden

A Thoroughbred Nursery like no Other

They say ‘a picture paints a thousand words’…. How true it is!

Few thoroughbreds in the world are raised in such idyllic, pristine horse country as the Widden Valley and racetrack results reflect the benefit of an upbringing as nature intended.

What better start in life could one wish for when breeding their next champion?

In 1867, 23 year-old John Thompson the 2nd, grand-son of John Thompson Snr who had brought his family to Australia 35 years earlier, had moved the family interest away from sheep to horses.

With such huge demands for saddle breeds, Widden very quickly became known for the quality of stock horses they produced in the Valley.

These carried the brand JT2 and it is this brand that has become recognised the world over since 1872 when the family first began breeding thoroughbreds.

The brand has been carried by champions past and present, with current and future stars all adding their chapter to the unfolding story of success written by Widden Stud and the early Thompson pioneers almost 150 years ago.

As Antony, a sixth generation Thompson says, “There is not a day goes by where I don’t feel the history, energy, and utter beauty that the Widden Valley provides”.

Group 1 Winner Ortensia Dies at the Age of Ten

The mare died while in foal to Redoute’s Choice having been euthanized on the weekend of June 4/5 due to a tumour on one of her lungs that reduced severely her ability to breathe.

Bred by L. D. Rhodes in NSW and plucked out of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale for only $50,000, the plucky bay was originally trained by Tony Noonan and latterly by Paul Messara for a Scone ownership group of A. D. Fraser, Ms A. Fraser and Miss E. Ridley.

After establishing herself as a successful performer in Australia, Ortensia embarked on an international campaign in 2012.

Ortensia won the Al Quos Sprint at Meydan Racecourse in March and was then sent to England for the European summer.

Initial results were disappointing as she was well beaten in the King Stand Stakes, ninth behind the Hong Kong sprinter Little Bridge and the July Cup, fourth behind Mayson.

In July however she scored a victory in the Group 2 King George Stakes and followed up a month later by taking the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York Racecourse.

In the latter race she came from seemingly impossible position two furlongs from the finish to win by a neck from Spirit Quartz.

A winner in three different continents her record says it all – 34 starts for 13 wins-3seconds and 4 thirds with earnings of A$1,423,867; US$600,000; £222,712; and HK$490,000.

A breeding career cut short, Ortensia leaves behind two fillies, a yearling by Choisir (Aus) Danehill Dancer (Ire) and a weanling by Dream Ahead.

NSW Stewards to Resume Long Running Inquiry

Country New South Wales trainer Cody Morgan fronted NSW stewards at a reconvened inquiry into alleged race day treatment breaches relating to his former galloper Prussian Secret prior to the Tamworth and Gunnedah Cups in 2013.

Both Morgan and harness racing trainer/driver Robert Clement were found guilty in Tamworth District Court last month of engaging in conduct to corrupt the betting outcome of the 2013 Tamworth Cup won by Prussian Secret.

The jury found Morgan and Clement guilty of drenching Prussian Secret in the hours before the Tamworth Cup.

Prussian Secret was scratched prior to the Gunnedah Cup after police from Strike Force Trentbridge arrested Morgan enroute to the Gunnedah race meeting at about 2pm on May12, 2013.

Stewards opened an inquiry into the matter on Friday 6 December 2013 resuming on Wednesday July 6 2016.

Prussian Secret inquiry delayed: Racing NSW stewards have agreed to a request to delay an inquiry into the alleged drenching of Prussian Secret in 2013.

Cody Morgan had been scheduled to appear before NSW stewards on Wednesday July 6, but the panel has agreed to postpone the inquiry until July 27 at the request of Morgan’s legal counsel.

Both Morgan and harness racing trainer and driver Robert Clement were the first people to be charged under NSW race-fixing laws introduced in 2012.

They are expected to be charged at the end of the month.