One of the most exciting colts of his generation, Growing Empire, will join Yulong Stud’s stallion roster for the 2025 breeding season.
A brilliantly fast son of Zoustar out of Miles Of Krishan, he combines blistering speed, precocious talent, and a physique tailor-made for the sale ring. A $700,000 Inglis Easter yearling, Growing Empire was a standout from day one. He delivered early on that promise, placing second on debut before unleashing four straight Stakes wins in his two-year-old and early three-year-old career, including a dominant performance in the Gr.3 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes and a commanding 1.3-length victory in the Listed Poseidon Stakes down the Flemington straight.
As a spring three-year-old Growing Empire confirmed his standing among the elite by taking on older sprinters for a gallant second in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes, beating home Champion Sprinter I Wish I Win. He was the first colt home in the $20 million Everest, finishing third to beat home Group 1 stars Lady Of Camelot, Sunshine In Paris, Private Eye, Joliestar, Stefi Magnetica, and I Wish I Win. He backed that up with a brave fourth in the Newmarket Handicap, only a few lengths off the winner despite an awkward run and carrying level weights against older horses.
Hall of Fame trainer Ciaron Maher was full of praise. “Good horses can do that – they can sprint from either end of the race,” he said. “He’s a brilliantly fast colt.”
Growing Empire retires with over $3 million in earnings and a record that blends class, consistency, and toughness. Top jockey Mark Zahra, who partnered him in multiple stakes wins, said: “He has that electric speed whenever you need it – at the start or the finish, whenever you want to use it.”
His pedigree only enhances the package. By champion sire Zoustar, his dam Miles Of Krishan (by Snitzel) was Gr.2 placed and comes from a deep black-type family. She is a half-sister to Gr.1 winner Il Quello Veloce, Stakes winner Donna Cattiva, and to the dam of Gr.3 winner Holmes A Court. This is the same speed-driven female line that produced sprinting stars Terravista and Tiger Tees.
Sam Fairgray, Chief Operating Officer at Yulong, said: “Growing Empire is a gorgeous, athletic colt with the kind of looks breeders love to see in the ring. On the track, he showed blistering speed and precocity, winning stakes races in his spring three-year-old season, and he mixed it with the best sprinters in the country. Importantly, he has the competitive attitude and toughness we prize in our stallions. “Being by Zoustar out of a fast Snitzel mare, his pedigree is pure speed on speed. He’s a perfect fit for Yulong’s roster, and we believe breeders will be as excited about him as we are, especially once they lay eyes on him.”
Growing Empire will stand his first season at Yulong in 2025 at a fee of $22,000 (inc. GST).
