Yulong have had a massive spring carnival so far, with their brilliant mare Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) smashing the G1 Cox Plate field in record time, and on Saturday, they enjoyed a win in the G2 Wakeful S. with homebred filly Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express).
This spring, Yulong have also won the G1 Might And Power S. with Deny Knowledge (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai), 3-year-old colt First Settler (Written Tycoon) won the G2 Danehill S., 3-year-old colt Growing Empire (Zoustar) has placed at Group 1 level in his last three starts as well as winning the G3 HDF McNeil S. and Listed Poseidon S., and 3-year-old filly Certain Rise (Written Tycoon) won the Listed William Crockett S. at her most recent outing.
Gallery: Some of the top-class horses Yulong have enjoyed success with so far this spring, images courtesy of The Inage Is Everything
Homebred Treasurethe Moment heading to the G1 Victoria Oaks
With Treasurethe Moment's sights now set on the prestigious G1 Victoria Oaks, Yulong’s Sam Fairgray expressed the team’s excitement about the filly’s potential and the strong debut Alabama Express has made as a sire.
“Treasurethe Moment is a filly that we ended up keeping and racing,” said Fairgray. “She’s going to the G1 Victoria Oaks on Thursday. Matt (Laurie) said she pulled up well, and ate everything this morning, so it’s full steam ahead to the Oaks.
“Matt (Laurie) said she (Treasurethe Moment) pulled up well, and ate everything this morning, so it’s full steam ahead to the (G1 Victoria) Oaks.” - Sam Fairgray
“It’s very exciting to have two fillies from Alabama Express’s first crop with strong chances at Group 1 races. It’s fantastic. He started so well last year and great to see him with two Group 2 wins in the last month. It’s a great result for the farm and for the people who have supported him.”
Trained by Matt Laurie for Yulong Investments, Treasurethe Moment now has four wins from six starts. Second on debut at two, she won her second start at two. Back at three, she ran second when resuming at Caulfield, and now has put together three in succession. The G2 Wakeful S. win was her first attempt at stakes company.
“It’s very exciting to have two fillies from Alabama Express’s first crop with strong chances at Group 1 races. It’s a great result for the farm and for the people who have supported him.” - Sam Fairgray
“She was reared at the farm. Unfortunately, Draconic Treasure passed away the year following Treasurethe Moment’s birth, but we do have Treasurethe Moment’s half-sister by Frankel who is in foal to Alabama Express.”
Draconic Treasure (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}) has only three live foals, all fillies. Her first foal, Kind Treasure (Frankel {GB}) is unraced, while her 4-year-old mare Mihoko Takeo (Grunt {NZ}) has won twice for trainer Adam Trinder. Mihoko Takeo was bought by Trinder for $45,000 from Yulong’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft. Treasurethe Moment is Draconic Treasure’s third and final foal.
From the family of G1 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}) and Group 1 winner and sire Refuse To Bend (Ire), Draconic Treasure is out of Hazy Glow (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a 2-year-old winning half-sister to Group 1 winner Rich Tapestry (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}).
Alabama Express | Standing at Yulong
“Physically, Draconic Treasure was a medium sized mare, very attractive. The Redoute’s Choice-Street Cry cross has been very good. Miss Finland’s daughter who won the Thousand Guineas was bred on that cross.”
Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}) won the 2015 G1 MRC Thousand Guineas and is out of five-time Group 1 winner Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice). Group 1 winner Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) is also out of a Redoute’s Choice mare, Outdoor.
Alabama Lass dominant in New Zealand
Ken and Bev Kelso trained 3-year-old filly Alabama Lass is the current favourite for the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas due to be run at Riccarton on November 16. She is unbeaten in three starts this season, winning the G2 Soliloquy S. last start and the G3 Gold Trail S. before that. At two, she won on debut, and ran second to Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) in the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. Her full record is four wins from five starts with earnings over NZ$230,000.
Alabama Lass | Image courtesy of Race Images, Peter Rubery
Bred by Rifa Mustang Pty Ltd, Alabama Lass was sold by Shadow Hill Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $120,000 to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock and Ken Kelso.
“Rifa Mustang bred Alabama Express. She’s out of a Commands mare and has that double of Danehill. It’s a cross that appears to be getting more stakes performers now. Tabliope was a good strong mare with size and substance, and Alabama Express has upgraded the mare. It’s always a good sign when a stallion can do that.”
The parallels to Treasurethe Moment continue with Alabama Lass also being the final foal for her dam Tabliope (Commands) who died in 2022. Tabliope won twice in country NSW and produced six foals, all winners, with the best being Alabama Lass.
Sam Fairgray | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Tabliope is a half-sister to G3 James HB Carr S. runner up, and winner of three races at two, Northern Glory (Northern Meteor). They are out of winning mare Cliantha (Viscount) who is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Clothide (Danehill {USA}) and Listed Macau Cup winner Clown Master (Lonhro).
“We have a half-sister (to Alabama Lass) by Deep Field who is going to Alabama Express this season. It’ll be good to have a three-quarter relation in 2025.” Bad ‘N’ Bouj (Deep Field) retired to stud this season, and was a good race mare winning five of her 41 starts including running third in the G3 Cuddle S. in New Zealand.
Alabama Express kicking big goals
With three stakes winners in his first crop, from 46 runners, Alabama Express has started his stud career in strong fashion.
“This season, he is covering some of the lovely mares we’ve acquired over the last few years. The quality of his books has gotten stronger year on year so he will have numbers and quality improving over time. It’ll enhance his future as a stallion.
“The quality of his (Alabama Express') books has gotten stronger year on year so he will have numbers and quality improving over time. It’ll enhance his future as a stallion.” - Sam Fairgray
“He has a good bunch of 3-year-olds. We’ve got a couple more who are unraced including Deccan Odyssey debuting tomorrow (Monday at Ballarat). He had Shangri La Express who was a good 2-year-old this time last year. He’s got a lot of promise out there, and a big book this year.
“Breeders have recognised Redoute’s Choice as a champion with sons like Not A Single Doubt and Snitzel as leading stallions, and Alabama Express is heading the same way.”
With two Group 1 favourites set to run on Thursday and later this month, Alabama Express could very well finish the spring with a very strong record.
