Studmasters love it when a young stallion attracts a bigger second book than first, aware that it is a fine indication that breeders are very happy with their foals. Such was the case with Yulong’s Lucky Vega (IRE) who served 119 mares upon his retirement in 2021, that number increasing the following season to 168.
“A lot of that was us supporting him,” Yulong’s Vin Cox said, “but that is because we have faith in him and we are confident in the job he is doing.”
And it is those yearlings who have been making their way through the sales ring this year, faring particularly well at Classic where eight of the nine presented were sold for an average of $172,500.
That’s a nice figure off a $19,250 (inc GST) service fee and those supporting him in the years since will be even happier as he has stood the last two years at $16,500 (inc GST).
Lot 556 was a highlight for Lucky Vega, purchased from the Yulong draft by Astute Bloodstock, Mystery Downs and Curtis Racing for $340,000. The first foal for a half-sister to the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes winner Silent Sedition (War Chant {USA}), he caught the eye of Astute’s Louis Le Metayer who has been impressed by the sort of horse Lucky Vega is siring.
“I really like Lucky Vega, he is siring fast, precocious horses.”
Another fan is Intel Racing’s Ash Richards who was happy to secure his “equal favourite colt of the sale,” Lot 393 out of the unraced Love Blossom (IRE) (Fastnet Rock) for $250,000. Hailing from the family of Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who Richards said “could end up being the best horse in Australia,” the colt impressed from the get-go.
“I inspected him on day 1 and he immediately caught my eye.”
“He is a neat horse with great natural muscle but not heavy with it. He is a beautiful mover and he vetted well; he is everything I look for in a racehorse.”
Richards was also impressed by the colt’s attitude, saying that “from what I have seen at the sales the Lucky Vegas have unbelievable temperaments.”
“I looked at this colt several times and when the storms came on Monday I decided to give him one last test of temperament.”
Inspecting the colt whilst the weather made the Riverside Stables a rather noisy place, Richards noted that the Yulong-bred colt did not turn a hair.
“He handled it like a boss,” he laughed, “and that gave me the confidence to bid strongly for him.”
“Lucky Vega has got a banner horse in Within The Law and had the runner-up (Vega For Luck) in the Karaka Million; he has really hit the ground running.”
Shane McGrath purchased two Lucky Vegas; a $170,000 half-brother to the stakes placed Aztec State (Pierro) and an $80,000 colt from the Denise’s Joy (Seventh Hussar {FR}) family.
“He has made a phenomenal start,” McGrath said. “He is a great looking horse and an elite athlete and the signs so far are that he is passing that on. They are sharp, attractive horses.”
Lot 35 – Lucky Vega (IRE) x Arizona Belle (IRE) (colt) purchased by Shane McGrath at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale
Vin Cox was “delighted” to witness Lucky Vega’s popularity and is looking forward to the progression of his progeny.
“They have great brains,” he said, impressed by how his yearlings handled the sales process.
“They eat, come out of the box, eat, come out of the box, eat! They are very easy horses.”
Written by Kristen Manning for TTRAusNZ
