Yulong

Billed as the star attraction of the Goffs November Foal Sale, the brother to Ghaiyyath (Ire) did not disappoint when selling to powerhouse owner Zhang Yuesheng under the banner of Lucky Vega for €700,000. Bred and consigned by legendary trainer Dermot Weld's farm Springbank Way Stud, the Dubawi (Ire) colt (lot 767) boasts one of the most coveted pedigrees in the book being a brother to champion older horse and exciting first-season sire Ghaiyyath. He is out of the trainer's own blue hen Nightime (Ire), reported to be happily in...

Almost the last horse in the ring on Wednesday, Springbank Way Stud's lot 767, a full-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), was knocked down for €700,000 online by Lucky Vega, the current buying arm of Yulong's Yuesheng Zhang, to top the third session of the Goffs November Foal Sale. Also a half-brother to GI Man o'War S. victress Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), the colt is from the family of champion Caumshinaun (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), being out of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire)...

It was a day for the young guns at the opening session of the Goffs November Foal Sale on Monday with a colt by Earthlight (Ire) sharing top lot status with a filly by the already proven Mehmas (Ire) at €80,000.  The progeny of the Irish National Stud-based Lucky Vega (Ire) also played a leading role on the day with Yeomanstown Stud's Supremacy (Ire) going down similarly well with buyers.  But the main story of the day was the positive start to the week in terms of trade, highlighted by...

Group 1 winner Sheeza Belter (Aus) (Gold Standard {Aus}--Saxabelle {Aus}, by Saxon {Aus}) sold for A$1.35 million to Victoria's Highway Farm during a Magic Millions virtual auction hosted by auctioneer Clint Donovan on Thursday. Yuesheng Zhang's Yulong was buying as Highway Farm. "It is a very nerve-wracking experience selling a horse around that level," her original buyer and part owner Justin Warwick said. "I'm relieved that the process has been a success and I'm very happy to see where she is going and the opportunity she will have." Bred by...

The eighth China Horse Owners Alliance (CHOA) conference was held on Aug. 31 at Yulong International Hotel. Yulong owner Zhang Yuesheng was re-elected as Chairman of CHOA. "This year's prize money is 20 million RMB/$2.7 million and next year's is 30 million RMB/$4.1 million," Yueshang said. "That means we will have completed the three-year plan for the Chinese-bred Thoroughbred series regular races. However, we will strive towards a prize money of 40 million RMB/$5.5 million next year and plan to introduce graded races. This is also the reason why CHOA...

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...

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...

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....

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...

The mammoth support of Lucky Vega (Ire) continued at the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale when connections of the young stallion snapped up 19 mares to the tune of €5,625,000, headed by €790,000 purchase Aspiring, with the majority set to visit the Group 1-winning juvenile next year.  Led by BBA Ireland's Mick Donohoe, who did most of his bidding online, the Lucky Vega Syndicate were continuing their recruitment drive for mares to visit the Irish National Stud-based sire after similarly strong sales this year and last.  Aspiring (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}),...

The seventh annual China Horse Owners Alliance (CHOA) conference was held at the Yulong International Hotel on Sept. 1. Yulong's Zhang Yuesheng, Chairman of CHOA, announced the Alliance's plan to attract more members to CHOA and safeguard the integrity of racing in China. In addition, CHOA Secretary-General and Vice-Chairman Huang Quincai spoke about a report on the three-year 60 million RMB/$8.6 million prizemoney boost to Chinese-bred thoroughbred races. Topping the Sept. 2 Yulong Autumn Sale, organised by Yulong and Zhongxin Auction, were The Entertainer (Ire), a 3-year-old son of Caravaggio;...

Yuesheng Zhang has built up an Irish stable with enviable horsepower while shopping with a relatively modest budget over the last few years. His stable star is undoubtedly last year's G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. winner Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who looks to someday have a future at stud both in Europe and at Zhang's Yulong property in Victoria, Australia. For now, though, connections have set their sights on the May 1 G1 2000 Guineas in Newmarket, with the colt preparing at Jessica Harrington's yard in good nick....