Reward for Effort's flying start to the year gained momentum on Friday night when his improving filly Brugal Reward claimed a tenacious win in the Group III MVRC Typhoon Tracy Stakes at Moonee Valley.

A last start winner at the same venue, the Darren Weir trained filly was drawn the outside in the field of 11, but charged home with a late rush for Ben Allen to snatch a neck win in the 1200 metre sprint.

"I was confident because she did it so well last week and they went quick in front," Allen said.

"Once we got into the straight she really found her stride and was strong through the line for a good win."

The campaign for Britain to remain in the EU may have failed narrowly under the slogan 'Stronger Together,' but at Ballylinch Stud that sentiment has become a business ethos that is reaping dividends.

The farm's stallion barn has been augmented this season with the arrival of New Bay (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Fascinating Rock (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), which brings to five the number of Flat sires on the roster. Each member of the quintet remains in the part-ownership of his former racing owner, with high-power syndicates having been formed to launch their stud careers.

"I'm a believer in syndication of stallions," says Ballylinch Stud's managing director John O'Connor. "I feel that when people are equity owners in stallions they are more committed to that horse. I've always found that it has been beneficial to us. We know that we have a first-class stallion facility here with a lot of historyand a track record of success."

Snitzel had his 21^st two year-old winner of the season at Newcastle's Beaumont Track on Wednesday so we thought we'd have a crack at guessing just how many winners he'll have this season in the quest to set a new Australian record and with perhaps a new world mark in sight.

The latest winner was Hypnotist, a colt out of My Amazing Dream which was purchased out of New Zealand last year by James Harron Bloodstock for $240,000 from the Highview Stud draft at the NZB Premier Yearling Sale.

21 two year-old winners for one stallion by this stage of the season is a stunning performance so it's an interesting exercise to delve into the figures and see just what Snitzel's opportunities are for the remainder of the season.

In 2017, the internationally renowned thoroughbred nursery Widden Stud will celebrate 150 years, the world’s longest standing continuously family owned thoroughbred stud.

Established in 1867, Widden has earned the reputation as one of the world's most successful stud farms and in 2001 the Thompson family became inaugural inductees into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame alongside Phar Lap & Bart Cummings.

With my wife Katie and our children Amy and Sam, we look forward to celebrating such a significant milestone with you throughout the year either at the races; in our marquee at the sales or here on the stud.