Yulong has confirmed its 2025 stallion roster, with nine stallions offering breeders a balance of proven performance, emerging talent, and international bloodlines. The lineup reflects Yulong’s growing momentum and long-term investment in Australian breeding, with several young sires building strong early records and a continued commitment to global diversity.
“We’re proud to offer a well-rounded roster that brings together established Group 1 winners, promising second-season sires, and international performers,” said Sam Fairgray, Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer. “Each stallion has been selected to offer real breeding value and suit a range of mares and goals.”
Yulong’s international strategy continues to take shape with stallions from Japan, Europe and now, the USA.
New for 2025 is dazzling Breeders’ Cup Mile winner More Than Looks, who stands his debut season at $22,000. A son of the exceptional More Than Ready, the striking horse is a fast and consistent turf miler with Group wins across two seasons. More Than Looks combines American turf speed and outcross versatility; a dynamic combination that has been proven over Australian Danehill-line mares through the deeds of More Than Ready.
International agent David Ingordo spoke enthusiastically about More Than Looks soon after he retired to Lane’s End Stud, saying, “When people come to see More Than Looks and he comes out of the stall, he grabs people’s eye. There have been two other people who have said that he reminds them of Sunday Silence, and I never tell anybody what I thought, so it’s kind of interesting that people who have good opinions think the same thing.”
As a great-grandson of Halo (USA), sire of Sunday Silence (USA), More Than Looks’ comparison to the Japanese super sire adds an intriguing layer to his story. Renowned for passing on an electrifying turn of foot to his progeny, Sunday Silence set a benchmark for acceleration, an attribute Ingordo enthusiastically highlighted in More Than Looks.
“You don’t see horses anywhere, but especially American turf horses, have the kind of turn of foot that More Than Looks had,” said Ingordo.
Alabama Express will stand for $66,000 (inc. GST) after a standout first two crops. He has 12 Stakes horses from only 74 runners (16.2%), including Treasurethe Moment, who strung together eight consecutive wins and became the first filly to complete the Gr.1 VRC Oaks – Gr.1 Australian Oaks double since 2006. Top class Alabama Lass stepped up to win the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes, before Group 1 back-to-back seconds, including in the Gr.1 Railway Stakes against older horses. She then delivered a smart Stakes victory down the straight at Flemington.
Exciting young stallion Pierata, who stands for $55,000 this season, has also delivered in his first two crops, producing seven Stakes performers including Group 3 winners Coleman and Tobeornottobe. Coleman won the Gr.3 Chairman’s Stakes before finishing a close second in the $5 million Gr.1 Golden Slipper. He has emerged as a standout among second-season sires, with more winners this season (37) than any of his peers bar Too Darn Hot (43), who is returning to Australia this year with a $275k service fee.
Pierata continues to produce types that are sought after in the sale ring, selling for up to $330,000 in 2025. Since joining Yulong he’s been strongly supported at stud, covering two exceptional books of mares, including Group 1 winners and producers, and some of the most valuable broodmares in the Yulong band – suggesting his strongest crops are still to come.
Tagaloa, whose first runners hit the track this season, has made an immediate impact with Stakes winner Spicy Lu, who put together three consecutive wins culminating in the Listed Fernhill Mile. He has had two further Stakes performers with Misho and Alottago providing excitement for their connections, and Tagaloa looks to have an exciting future as his first crop progresses to three. He stands for $22,000 in 2025.
Grunt is an affordable $19,800 option for breeders looking for a proven stallion whose record is extending as his first crop matures. Group 1 winner Veight highlights a strong contingent of Stakes winners that include recent Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes winner Pocketing and smart sprinter Miraval Rose.
Sire of the brilliant filly Within The Law, Lucky Vega, has made a fast start with his first Australian two-year-olds. Winner of over $1.4 million, Within The Law has been a sensation for Darby Racing, saluting in the Gr.2 Sweet Embrace Stakes and two of the Inglis sale races before completing her season with a runner-up finish in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes. In New Zealand, Vega For Luck delivered an excellent performance in the Karaka Millions, flying home to finish second. His yearling prices also hit new highs in 2025, with Dom Sutton and Johnny McKeever going to $380,000 to pick up the filly from Intricately from the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. Lucky Vega will stand for $38,500 in 2025.
Japanese duo by Lord Kanaloa, Panthalassa ($16,500) and Diatonic ($13,750), stand again in 2025 after strong early demand. The Saudi Cup and Dubai Turf winner, Panthalassa, remains the highest-earning horse to stand at stud in Australia. As a front-running son of Lord Kanaloa, he brings a rare mix of speed and durability to the local ranks as he enters his second season at stud.
The first weanlings by Diatonic will sell in 2025. The top-class Japanese sprinter/miler covered a high-quality book in his first two seasons, including Group 1-winning mares Melody Belle, Snapdancer and In Her Time.
Not to be forgotten as the patriarch of the roster is Written Tycoon, one of Australia’s most influential stallions. Now 22, he continues to produce elite-level performers, including 2024 Gr.1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot and Australian Guineas winner Southport Tycoon.
“Written Tycoon has played a major role in putting Yulong on the map in Australia,” said Yulong General Manager Jun Zhang. “His success has helped us establish credibility and attract breeders at every level. He’s a stallion we will always be grateful for – he’s a big part of what we’ve built so far.”
Written Tycoon will stand privately for the 2025 season.
All Yulong stallions benefit from being supported by one of the strongest broodmare bands in the southern hemisphere. Group 1-winning and well-credentialed mares from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Europe form the foundation of the program.
“At Yulong, we don’t just stand stallions – we invest in their success,” said Sam Fairgray. “That means backing them with top-class mares and ensuring their progeny are placed with leading trainers across the country. It’s a long-term approach designed to give our stallions every chance to make an impact, and to build a breeding program that delivers results year after year.”
