Yulong Stud was honoured to be part of the winning celebrations of five awards on Wednesday night at the annual prestigious Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV) 2020-21 Victorian Breeders Awards.
Australian Champion Sire and Yulong resident, Written Tycoon was awarded the Champion Victorian Sire award after his progeny amassed $17,035,983 in prizemoney across the 2020-21 season.
With Written Tycoon having become the first Victorian stallion in recent times to top the Australian Sires Premiership, the awards night celebrated the current strength and depth of the Victorian breeding industry.
Written Tycoon’s speedy son Finance Tycoon (ex Darook Park), who won the 2021 edition of the $1m The VOBIS Sires Showdown, was also recognised with the VOBIS Horse of the Year award. Bred in partnership by Boom Racing and Golden Gully Thoroughbreds, Finance Tycoon was a $150,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for McKeever Bloodstock from the draft of Eureka Stud.
Yulong’s magnificent mare Hungry Heart (Frankel x Harlech) was also the winner of two awards, scooping both the Champion Victorian Bred Racehorse and Champion Victorian Bred 3YO crowns. With points awarded for stakes wins (from four for a Group 1 down to one for a Listed race), the two-time Group 1 winner amassed a total of 11 points and, with earnings of $1,293,850, pipped the Jamie Richards-trained Need I Say More to the prize in both categories.
Hungry Heart’s exploits helped her dam, Harlech claim the Champion Victorian Broodmare title ahead of Bo Bardi (Need I Say More) and Affairoftheheart (Rocket Spade).
“I would like to congratulate all the winners of the awards,” said TBV President, James O’Brien.
“The award winners are a testament to the strength of the Victorian breeding industry. The Spring has highlighted that with the wins of the major races across the country.”
“The winners are very worthy award winners and their success on the track highlights why the best place to breed is in Victoria. We have the ideal climate, support from the State Government and Racing Victoria and an exceptional stallion roster, headed up by the Australian reigning Champion, Written Tycoon.”
“Written Tycoon’s rise to the top has cemented a new chapter for the Victorian breeding industry.
“It is extremely exciting to see the successes of the Victorian stallion roster flying the flag across the country at the elite level. We have been talking about the momentum in Victoria for a few years, this is highlighted by Written Tycoon winning the Australian Sires premiership and the Champion Victorian Sire.
“I would like to congratulate everyone who has helped to get him to where he is today and wish Yulong all the best with him for the future.”
