Performance makes all the difference, and Yulong’s Lucky Vega (IRE) demonstrated that with his first crop of juveniles led by Within The Law who was an unbeaten pre-Christmas juvenile with two wins, both in Listed races. His figures leaped up for his second season, with Yulong reporting that his first crop averaged $40,000 at the yearling sales of 2024. This year, his 22 sales have averaged $159,000 off a $17,500 fee – by far the best return on investment for those visiting him in his second season, with an ROI of 9.1 times his service fee, based on averages.
“Lucky Vega is a through and through Yulong product. We purchased him at Tattersalls as a yearling, and he was a Group 1-winning 2-year-old for us in Europe trained by Jessica Harrington. We retired him and brought him here, but he was fairly unexposed to the breeding market being a Group 1 winner in Europe. Yulong was also an infant farm at the time, and we were pleased that breeders had an immense response to Lucky Vega when they saw him,” said Harry King. Yulong’s first stallion, Grunt (NZ), first stood in 2019, while Lucky Vega joined the team in 2021.
Lucky Vega (IRE) | Standing at Yulong
“We’ve only seen a small per cent of his first crop (at the races) and he’s doing it on both sides of the Tasman which is exciting. At the yearling sales, he’s keeping up with the big boys Ole Kirk and Farnan who were both champions of the turf here, and to be competing against them is something we are very proud of and something we can see continuing in the future.”
Lucky Vega had 84 live foals in his first crop, and 15 of those have raced (17 per cent) for three winners including Within The Law, whose three wins have netted her connections over $1.2 million, as well as Vega For Luck (NZ) who is stakes-placed in New Zealand with earnings over NZ$220,000.
“In his second season, his numbers increased which is a reflection of the types he’s leaving, what he’s doing on the track as well as what educators and trainers are seeing in their stables. And he’s getting results, on track and at the sales, with both colts and fillies. Pound for pound it’s hard to argue against his value, and it’s important to note that he nicks well with Danehill line mares too.”
Lucky Vega had 116 live foals in his second crop at a slightly reduced fee of $17,500, down from $20,000 in his first year. His auction results have lifted massively across the board to achieve an average over $159,000 in 2025.
“We also take great pride in seeing our clients do well with his stock. Yarran Thoroughbreds sold their highest ever yearling this year with a Lucky Vega colt who made $250,000 at Melbourne, and Hallmark Stud did a terrific job pinhooking a filly from us.”
Hallmark Stud’s filly from Outlook (Fastnet Rock) sold for NZ$240,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, having been a $30,000 weanling purchase from Yulong.
Lucky Vega (IRE)/Intricately sold for $360,000 to Sutton Racing / McKeever Bloodstock / B Rogers at the Inglis Premiere Sale.
Written for TTRAusNZ
