A two time Group I winner last season at three, four year-old Prized Icon mare Tropical Squall stepped out for her second trial in her new preparation at Rosehill on Tuesday sporting the colours of her new owners Yulong.
Bred by Kooringal Stud, Tropical Squall was purchased as a weanling from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the Magic Millions National Sale in 2021 for just $16,000 by Gooree Stud, who bred and raced her sire Prized Icon before his retirement to Kooringal Stud.
She proved an immediate talent for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable winning on debut in June last year before taking the Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) last spring with a victory in the Group I ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) following in the autumn.
With four wins from nine starts and $1million in prizemoney for her previous owners, Tropical Squall now goes forward for Yulong and looks ready to fire with another smart trial win this morning.
Yulong boss Vin Cox confirmed the acquisition of Tropical Squall, whose heat also featured another high profile Yulong owned mare in Via Sistina (IRE), who was never out of second gear and finished under a hold.
"These things come across your desk and it came up in the last week or so," Cox told Racenet.
"Being a dual Group 1 winner and a filly with a bit of racing upside, it was just a good thing from that perspective to have a look at.
"She had her first trial this morning in the Yulong brand, so we were quite happy and fingers crossed that it leads to a good campaign.
"We're quite excited about her."
The $10million Golden Eagle (1500m) looms as a logical spring target race for Tropical Squall.
