Yulong will sponsor the G1 Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh in 2023, the racecourse announced on Thursday.
Scheduled for Saturday, July 1, the second day of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival, the race–restricted to fillies and mares–will now be worth €300,000. Owned by Yuesheng Zhang, Yulong will also present a free nomination for 2024 to juvenile Group 1 winner Lucky Vega (Ire) to the owners of the first three placed horses.
Sam Fairgray, COO Yulong Investments said, “Following on from Yulong Stud's involvement in Ireland with Lucky Vega, we are extremely happy to support the Irish racing and breeding industry and look forward to many years of collaboration ahead.”
Zhang's green and white colours have been carried to victory at the Curragh by Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Irish Oaks in 2022, as well as by current Irish National Stud stallion Lucky Vega, who won the 2020 G1 Phoenix S.
Evan Arkwright, Racing and Sponsorship Manager the Curragh said, “We are very grateful to Mr. Zhang for selecting the Curragh for his first sponsorship in Ireland and appreciate his support of one of the most prestigious races in the Irish racing calendar. The association will further highlight the leading position that Yulong plays on the world's racing stage.”
Offered by Newgate Consignment, Forbidden Love (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) (lot 568) topped Day 1 of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, selling to Yulong Stud for $4.1 million on a strong day of trade.
The three-time Group 1 winner was one of 35 mares snapped up by the racing and breeding entity, whose total spend was A$19,031,000 on Tuesday. Three other millionaires–there were nine during the first session overall–also made their way into the Yulong fold.
Dual top-level winner Snapdancer (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) (lot 645), from the Sullivan Bloodstock draft, was acquired for A$3.2 million, while lot 575, Isotope (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Yankee Rose (Aus) (All American {Aus}), made A$2.3 million from the Eureka Stud consignment. Yankee Rose's daughter Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) landed her second Classic, the G1 Japanese Oaks, on Sunday. Rounding out the quartet of million-dollar mares for Yulong was Promise Of Success (GB) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 620). The Rosemond Stud draftee won at Group 2 level in Australia, and Yulong shelled out A$1.35 million for the bay from the family of Urban Sea (Miswaki) et al.
Jessica Harrington is the most successful female trainer that Ireland has ever produced. The 76-year-old has sent out multiple Cheltenham Festival winners, including the legendary Champion Chaser Moscow Flyer (Ire), as well as Classic winners Alpha Centauri (Ire) and Magical Lagoon (Ire) from her Moone-based stables in County Kildare.
Plans are now afoot to take home more big-race riches this season and, despite the fact that Harrington is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, there is only one topic of conversation at the breakfast table at this time of year.
“We are very excited about the season ahead and, training horses as good as this, they keep us all going,” Harrington said in typically upbeat fashion.
She added, “We haven't pushed any buttons with our two-year-olds yet but, at this early stage, a filly called With Style (Ire) would have to be my pick.
“Overall, we have a very nice bunch. But even the two-year-olds we had last year, they were a quality bunch as well, so we have some very nice three-year-olds this season to go with the juveniles coming through. It's very exciting.”
Before the Flat season takes centre stage, there is the small matter of the Fairyhouse, Aintree and Punchestown Festivals to navigate, and Harrington will be hoping to break her duck in the Grand National in Liverpool with the aptly-named Lifetime Ambition (Ire).
“He's very well-named, because it has been a lifetime ambition for me to win the race and of course we came very close to doing that when Magic Of Light (Ire) finished second to Tiger Roll in 2019.
“Lifetime Ambition is nicely-weighted and we're hoping the ground will dry out a bit for him. He's had experience over the fences and jumped them very well so we are hopeful.”
All told, the Harrington stable has 170 horses to look forward to on the level, of which, 65 are two-year-olds. Below, Harrington gives her verdict on some of the juveniles who have been showing up well on the gallops at home.
High Five: Harrington celebrates Magical Lagoon's Irish Oaks triumph with Shane Foley | Racingfotos.com
Two-Year-Olds Fillies
Heavenly Being
Pedigree: Night Of Thunder (Ire) filly out of Rapacity Alexander (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire})
Bought by BBA Ireland for €525,000 from Mountarmstrong Stud at Goffs Orby
Owner: Yuesheng Zhang
Comment: We like her a lot. She's a half-sister to No Speak Alexander (Ire) (Shalaa {Ire}), who won the G1 Matron S. for us a couple of seasons back. She looks as though she will make a two-year-old and we hope to get her out in May. We haven't had many Night Of Thunders but we think we have some good ones by him this year. She's very like No Speak Alexander in that she is a light-framed filly.
Glamourously
Mehmas (Ire) filly out of One For June (Ire) (Arcano {Ire})
Bought by BBA Ireland and the Glamour and Glory Syndicate for €33,000 from Mountarmstrong Stud at Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale
Glamour And Glory Syndicate
We're delighted to have this filly for the new syndicate for the girls. She is a lovely Mehmas filly and has been away to the Curragh. She could run in two or three weeks' time.
What A Squeeze
Dark Angel (Ire) filly out of Fashionable (GB) (Nashwan)
Bought by BBA Ireland for €75,000 from Glacken View at Goffs Orby
Alpha Racing Syndicate
A half-sister to Jack Naylor (Ire) (Champs Elysees {GB}), we are very happy with her. She is quite like Jack Naylor, is a little bit bigger than she was, but they have the same physique–strong and plenty of bone. She goes nicely. The Alpha Racing Syndicate has been quite successful, I think members have made a profit every year it has been running, so it is a good way for people to get involved in racehorse ownership.
Ally Pally
National Defense (GB) filly out of Myth Creation (More Than Ready)
Cormac O'Flynn
Bought by Cormac O'Flynn for 37,000gns at the Tattersalls Somerville Sale
She's a nice filly, is sharp, and actually has an entry to run at Dundalk next Tuesday. She could run in the Somerville Auction Sale race.
September Leaves
Night Of Thunder filly out of Antique Platinum (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire})
Homebred
Moyglare Stud
She looks sharp and will be out in May. She is a nice Moyglare homebred and we're looking forward to her.
Matter Of Fact No Nay Never filly out of Malicieuse (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
Homebred
Niarchos Family
She's a very nice filly and looks like being a proper two-year-old. She has plenty of size but is compact. We've had plenty of No Nay Nevers down through the years but no superstars. We think that might change this year as we have a lovely bunch by him.
With Style No Nay Never filly out of Inca Wood (UAE) (Timber Country)
Bought for €150,000 by BBA Ireland from Manister House Stud at Goffs Orby
Yuesheng Zhang
This is a lovely filly and will probably be ready to run in May. She is big and strong and everything she has been doing is really good. She's been showing us plenty and we're looking forward to her. Yulong are great supporters of our yard and have been increasing their numbers every year and now have 30 in training here. We have some lovely two-year-olds for them this year and this is one of them.
Ocean Bliss
El Kabeir filly out of Gold Zain (GB) (Aqlaam {GB})
John Kirkland and Jim Ryan
A half-sister to Ocean Quest (Ire) (Sioux Nation), she's sharp and will want really nice ground because she has lovely action. We will be waiting for the ground to get a bit tighter for her.
Comic Book
Frenkel (GB) filly out of Vagabonde (Ire) (Acclamation {GB})
Bought by BBA Ireland fo €250,000 at BBAG September Yearling Sale
Yuesheng Zhang
This could be very smart. She won't run until June or July–she's a mid-season filly and you'd expect her to be that on pedigree. She has been doing everything very nicely and we're quite hopeful about her.
Annupuri
Too Darn Hot (GB) filly out of Mirror City (GB) (Street Cry)
Bought by Jamie McCalmont for 120,000gns from Jamie Railton at Tattersalls Book 2
Marc Chan and the Niarchos Family
She's a nice filly but she's not as sharp as we thought she was initially. She has started to grow and might need a bit more time. The Too Darn Hots we have are lovely-actioned horses and they look like they will want good ground.
Betula
Lope De Vega (Ire) filly out of Galileo Gal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
Craig Bernick
She's beautiful and is typical of Lope De Vega. She'll be out in the middle of the season and is out of a half-sister to Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
Emerald Banner Starspangledbanner (Aus) filly out of Green Castle (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire})
Homebred
Francis Jennings
She's a full-sister to Millisle (Ire) and is actually stronger than Millisle was at this stage of their careers. There's actually a little bit of a story behind this filly. Her dam, Green Castle was retired at Francis Jennings' stud but, when Millisle won her Group 1, she was whipped back in from the field and went straight in foal to Starspangledbanner and has even produced another filly, so now they have two full-sisters. I think she was 22 or 23 when she had this filly but she doesn't look like an old mare.
Earth
Galileo filly out of Alpha Centauri
Homebred
Niarchos Family
The second foal out of Alpha Centauri, she's a very big lady and is a lovely-mover. She will take a bit of time but she has an incredible pedigree and we are looking forward to seeing what she can do. She might be more of a three-year-old.
Unnamed Kingman (GB) filly out of Starfish (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
Homebred
Mrs Frank Barry & Mrs Luke Barry
A half-sister to Astadash, who won the Denny Cordell Lavarack S. at Gowran Park for us, she is very nice and will be out in the middle to back end of the season. Starfish has been an excellent producer for the Barry family and hopefully this filly can be another.
Lucky Melody
Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) filly out of Queen Of Carthage (Cape Cross {Ire})
Bought by BBA Ireland for €195,000 from Baroda Stud at Goffs November Foal Sale in 2021
Yuesheng Zhang
Very nice filly. She's a big girl but is also very sharp and is a half-sister to Lucky Vega (Ire), who did so well for us and obviously means a lot to the Yulong team. We hope to have her out in the middle of the season and she's nice.
Colts
Dundrum
Profitable (Ire) colt out of Rosy Morning (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus})
Bought by BBA Ireland for 31,000 from Castlebridge at Goffs Sportsman's
John G Hennessy
We fancied him to run a big race on debut at Dundalk last week but he came back lame. He actually pulled muscles quite badly so there was a genuine excuse for him disappointing on the day. We hope to get him back to what he was showing us at home before that because he's a colt with an awful lot of speed.
Old Sea
Blue Point (Ire) colt out of Liver Nauticus (Ire) (Azamour {Ire})
Homebred
Moyglare Stud
He's a half-brother to Trevaunance (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}). He's very big and has good action. He does everything very easily and, while we thought he was early, he's started to grow a little and may need more time.
The Bear Trap
Kodi Bear (Ire) colt out of Dat Il Do (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB})
Bought by BBA Ireland for 60,000gns from Pier House Stud at Tattersalls Book 2
Alpha Racing Syndicate
He's a gorgeous colt and we're hoping to start him off in a Curragh maiden before long. We think he could be nice.
Guest Star
Due Diligence colt out of Livella Fella (Ire) (Strategic Prince {GB})
Bought by BBA Ireland for €46,000 from Boherguy Stud at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale
Hronis Racing
A sharp colt, he'll be out within the next month. He looks early and is training well.
Star Hunter
Lope De Vega colt out of She's Complete (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire})
Yuesheng Zhang
A lovely Lope De Vega colt who will be ready to run by the end of May. He's showing up well.
Imperial Magic
Showcasing (GB) colt out of Solfilia (GB) (Teofilo {Ire})
Yuesheng Zhang
Bought by BBA Ireland for €200,000 from Manister House Stud at Goffs Orby
He is sharp and will run in two or three weeks' time. His work has been good and he is very straightforward.
Highland Bling
Highland Reel (Ire) colt out of Padma (GB) (Three Valleys)
Bought by Hubie De Burgh for €22,000 from Vinegrove Stud at Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale
OTI Racing and Brosnan Racing
A very nice Highland Reel colt, he will want a mile but does things nicely at home.
Instant Appeal
Advertise (GB) colt out of Moment Of Time (GB) (Rainbow Quest)
Bought by BBA Ireland for 78,000gns from Newsells Park Stud at Tattersalls Book 2
Alpha Racing Syndicate
Another sharp colt, we'd expect him to be early and he's a very nice colt to do anything with. He's from the first crop of Advertise, who was a very fast horse himself, and we like what we see so far.
Kinesiology
Study Of Man (Ire) colt out of Kinaesthesia (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire})
Bought by BBA Ireland for €65,000 from Staffordstown Stud at Goffs Orby
Alpha Racing Syndicate
On breeding, he will be a middle-distance horse in time and we won't be in any rush to get him out. It will probably be the middle of the season before we see him but he's quite a likeable colt and is doing everything we have asked of him.
Few stallions who stand in and around the €15,000 bracket can boast a book of mares quite like Lucky Vega (Ire). The Group 1-winning juvenile has been supported by his owner Yuesheng Zhang from the outset and, judging by the Chinese businessman's spending at the premier mare sales through BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe last year, that backing is set to continue.
While the majority of the prominent owner's European-based mares will visit Lucky Vega this year, a number will also be spread out between Frankel (GB), Baaeed (GB), Sea The Stars (Ire), Siyouni (Fr) and Mehmas (Ire), with Donohoe revealing that the ultimate aim is to breed another stallion prospect.
But the early indication, according to the County Kilkenny native, is that Lucky Vega is worthy of the mammoth support. The leading bloodstock agent and advisor says that he was most impressed by the first foals by the sire down under in Australia and reports the first crop of European-bred foals by the stallion to be catching the imagination of some notable breeders.
Donohoe said, “We have always been a big believer in Lucky Vega and are happy to support him in a big way. He didn't show what he was capable of on the track and we know that.
“Okay, he won his Group 1 but a decision was made pretty early in his three-year-old career for him to go to Australia. In hindsight, there were plenty of races that we could have aimed for and won after Royal Ascot with him.”
Michael Donohoe | Tattersalls
He added, “I think Jessica Harrington would also agree that her horses might not have been firing on all cylinders during the spring of his three-year-old campaign so there are a lot of reasons to believe that we did not see the best of Lucky Vega on the track for all that he won his Group 1. People seem to be amazed about the backing Mr Zhang is giving Lucky Vega but we have no doubt whatsoever in our minds. He is a fabulous-looking horse and the foals are fabulous as well.
“I was in Australia earlier in the year for the Magic Millions Sale and I was delighted to see for myself what I had been hearing from all of the top judges down there because his foals really were gorgeous. There aren't as many on the ground here in Ireland yet but the early reports are that they are as good a bunch as you will see so we're very excited. He's getting a lovely type.”
One of the major themes to develop from the sale season in 2022 was the strength of Zhang through Donohoe at all of the major sales. All told, the owner spent roughly €20 million upgrading his broodmare band, concentrating on broodmares by Galileo (Ire) in particular.
Donohoe explained, “There are so many smart mares booked into Lucky Vega this year. Obviously we put in a lot of work at the mare sales last year on behalf of Mr Zhang but, for these young stallions, there aren't too many nicks.
“Lope De Vega (Ire) has done quite well himself with the Danehill line but that's probably the only standout. Mr Zhang bought a lot of Galileo mares last year because Galileo is one of these freakishly-good sires whose mares seem to nick with everything. He's just very potent as a broodmare sire. So Lucky Vega has covered a lot of nice Galileo mares already and he will cover a lot more again this year.”
He added, “Physically, Lucky Vega matches up well with these Galileo mares as he seems to be putting the strength into his stock with great, big back ends on them. Because he was a quite precocious and fast horse himself, we think he could inject that speed into the Galileo mares. We think that could be a good cross.
“But we don't buy mares just for the sake of it either. We put a value on them and, if it goes over that value, we pull up.”
Zhang is expected to support Lucky Vega with over 50 of his own broodmares this year, the majority of which boast mouthwatering pedigrees. Asked to nominate some of the most exciting mares set to visit the young stallion, Donohoe joked, 'where do I start,' before putting forward a few of the more recent additions to the team.
“Let's Misbehave (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) could be a good mare to include,” he said. “She is a half-sister to High Chaparral (Ire) who we bought for €920,000 at Arqana last year. It's a tremendous pedigree and she's already the dam of a high-class War Front filly called Sippinsoda (Fr). She's a young mare who is the dam of a stakes winner from her first three foals and from a proper deep stallion-producing family. She is in foal to Siyouni and will go to Lucky Vega this year so she is definitely one we are excited about.
“Lucrece (GB) is a beautiful Pivotal (GB) mare who is the dam of Hello You (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and a half-sister to Signs Of Blessing (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). She was €710,000 from Arqana last year as well and is a fabulous-looking mare. Hello You was a proper fast two-year-old so Mr Zhang is not just sending those Galileo mares to Lucky Vega. He's giving him a chance to produce something with precocity as well.”
He added, “Expressionism (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a nice mare out of Lady Springbank {Ire}). She's in foal to him already actually and will go back to him again this year. She actually only cost 200,000gns from Godolphin at Tattersalls in 2021 and is from a good family. It's a family we know well because Eamonn Riley of BBA Ireland bought Lady Springbank for the Gittins family.
“Revenue Share (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is an interesting one as she's a sister to the dam of Sea Of Class (Ire). Mr Zhang bought a few mares in Japan to visit Lucky Vega and it's nice because it will be something different. Mr Zhang does a lot of research and follows racing on an international scale and obviously the success that Japan has had and the bloodlines that they are working with interests him greatly. He's investing in that now so it's amazing really.”
They say the secret to becoming an overnight success is the culmination of years of hard work. In the case of this emerging owner-breeder, who enjoyed a breakthrough Classic success with Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo) in the Irish Oaks last year and flexed his muscles at most of the major yearling and mare sales in Europe last term, the seeds had been planted over a decade ago.
Donohoe explained, “Mr Zhang has been observing and doing his research for over 10 years now and didn't just rush into it without having his homework done like others in his position might have done.
“He has taken his time and built up a strong team here in Ireland and Australia. He has a really good, young and dynamic team in Australia, headed by Sam Fairgray, and all of his family are involved as well. It's something that he has been building up to for a long time. This whole project has been years in the making. I've learned a lot from Mr Zhang-he's a genius.”
As well as sending a strong book of his own mares to the Irish National Stud resident, Zhang is reported to have a strong understanding of the bigger picture by Donohoe, who revealed that the owner plans on investing in a number of foals by the stallion this year.
On other notable mares set to visit Lucky Vega, Donohoe said, “It's Magic (Ire) is a Galileo half-sister to Mukhadram (GB) who we gave €490,000 for at Arqana in 2021. It's a deep family. “High Heels (Ire) is another very nice Galileo mare being a stakes-placed daughter of Charlotte Bronte (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). This family is a real fillies-producing family. Recover Me (Fr) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is another nice stakes-placed mare from a stakes-producing French family that includes So Unique (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), who is also in Mr Zhang's broodmare band.
“Mrs Frankel (Ire) (Frankel {Ire}) is quite an interesting one as well because Mr Zhang is a big believer in Frankel as a broodmare sire. Mrs Frankel is from the family of Gregorian (Ire) and is a sister to Hidden Dimples (Ire) in France. There is a lot of speed in the family.”
He added, “Ligne D'Amour (Ire) is worth a mention being a Galileo daughter of Rosdhu Queen (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). She has a gorgeous Lucky Vega filly foal at foot and will go back to him this year.
“Atone (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is a nice mare we bought in foal to Frankel from Juddmonte. She's a sister to Midday (GB) and has a cracking page. She should be a nice mare for Lucky Vega. Lights On Me (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), who is the dam of Light Infantry (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}), is another. It's just a very exciting time for the stallion and we're confident that he will justify all of the support.”
Donohoe told TDN Europe last week that Zhang was expanding his string of horses in training in Britain, with Karl Burke set to train 20 two-year-olds for the owner, who is keen not to keep all of his eggs in the one basket with number one trainer Jessica Harrington.
That approach is somewhat mirrored to the broodmare band with Zhang set to support a number of proven and up-and-coming stallions to go with Lucky Vega.
Donohoe said, “Mr Zhang is a big fan of Baaeed and is going to send mares to him this year. Lady Hayes (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who was second in the G2 Lancashire Oaks, Shomooly (Frankel) and Aspiring (Ire) (Galileo), a sister to Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}), will go to Baaeed.
“He will send three to Frankel. Bocca Baciata (Ire) (Big Bad Bob {Ire}), who won the G2 Kilboy Estate S. for Jessica Harrington, is going to him. As I mentioned before, Mr Zhang has been a massive fan of Frankel from the beginning. He sent a lot of mares to him and bought a lot of mares in foal to him in Australia as well. He's had a big role to play in the initial success Frankel has enjoyed in Australia.
“The plan is to send German 1,000 Guineas winner Txope (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), who we bought at Arqana last year for €1.2 million, to Frankel. French Dressing (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is another nice mare going to Frankel and is actually in England already. She is the dam of Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel) so the plan is to go back to him.”
He added, “Rasmiya (Ire) (Galileo) will go to Siyouni (Fr). She is a sister to Above Average (Ire) (High Chaparral). We'll also send Zerziyna (Fr), a Fastnet Rock mare who we bought at Arqana, to Sea The Stars (Ire). She's a daughter of Zarkava (Ire) and is a gorgeous-looking mare.
“We also plan on sending mares to Mehmas. He has had to do it the hard way and his results speak for itself. He's a proper stallion and his progeny know where the winning line is-they really try to win. Bay Of Islands (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) will go to Mehmas. She's the dam of a stakes winner called Bahrani Star (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).
“Maria Montessori (Ire) (Galileo), a daughter of Lesson In Humility (Ire) (Mujadil), is from a speedy family and will go to him as well. Slaney East (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), a nice mare we bought in foal to Mehmas from Jim Bolger, will go back to him along with Eaves (Ire) (Galileo).”
