Yulong continues to expand its global reach. The Victorian-based farm unleashed on the opening day of the November Breeding Stock Sale with five purchases including the session topper.
Many of the purchases are likely to visit Yulong’s shuttle stallion Lucky Vega (IRE).
The Group 1 Phoenix Stakes winner will stand his first northern hemisphere at the Irish National Stud in 2022 after completing his duties in Australia.
In association with Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland, Yulong Investments signed for the sessions top lot (1185), Plying, for €825,000.
Carrying a positive test to Lope de Vega, the daughter of Hard Spun (USA) is the dam of triple Group 1 winner Alcohol Free (No Nay Never) who added this season’s Group 1 Sussex Stakes and Coronation Stakes to her Cheveley Park Stakes triumph.
“We thought it was a fantastic opportunity to buy the dam of what we think is a champion filly, to be honest. She is such a tough, top-class filly and she is staying in training next year I believe so hopefully there will be more to come from her,” Michael Donohoe said.
“The mare is not just a flash in the pan, Alcohol Free isn’t her only Stakes winner and she had a very nice covering by a horse that is close to Mr Zhang’s heart in Lope De Vega and we believe she is carrying a filly so hopefully that filly will join Mr Zhang’s broodmare band in time.
“We wanted to buy two or three nice mares this week to send to Lucky Vega and support him. Mr Zhang is going to really strongly support him at the foal and yearling sales, but he wanted to get a couple of nice mares to help start him off in Ireland.”
The second most expensive purchase for Yulong at €330,000 was (Lot 1159), the Aga Khan bred Eytarna.
“She is a proven performer from a great family and Lope De Vega has already worked in it, so she’ll be an ideal mare for Lucky Vega.
Another potential partner for Lucky Vega is the Ballylinch Stud consigned So Unique (Lot 1153) who came at a cost of €265,000.
The daughter of Siyouni was a two-time winner in France who placed in the Group III Prix Miesque.
So Unique carried a positive test to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Waldgeist (GB) after having a colt by him this year.
Yulong purchased Baroda Stud’s Galileo mare Grenadine for €225,000 (lot 1181).
Carrying a positive test to Wootton Bassett, Grenadine is a daughter of the Group III winner Words (Dansili), one of four stakes-winners from the Group 1 Irish oaks heroine Moonstone (Dalakhani).
Grenadine’s sister Sapphire Ring (lot 1188) will also call Yulong home after her purchase from The Castlebridge Consignment for the same price as her sister, €225,000.
Sapphire Ring was unraced, ut carried an April cover to No Nay Never (USA).
