Yulong Investments is pleased to announce the appointment of Troy Stephens as Racing Manager, with oversight of the day-to-day running of Yulong’s racing and bloodstock portfolio, effective January.
Stephens will rekindle his association with the farm after taking a hiatus to begin his own spelling and pre-training business, Palm Equine, in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges alongside his partner Alanna Richards.
“My partner Alanna Richards and I have been running our own thoroughbred education and pre-training business for the last 12 months. We leased David and Jenny Moodie’s Yungaburra property, which was truly fantastic,” Stephens said
“We pre-trained many horses, Chris Waller, Grahame Begg and all of Contract Racing’s horses. It was a great year, and we enjoyed our time at Palm Equine. But the opportunity came to rejoin Yulong, and I couldn’t pass it up.”
Stephens was integral in launching the careers of exciting young sires Tagaloa and Lucky Vega (IRE), who will have their first yearlings offered next year at the major sales. He also saw the arrival of Champion Victorian Sire Written Tycoon, along with the current leading first-season sire, Alabama Express and promising second-season sire Grunt (NZ).
“It’s an organisation I know very well, having worked there for two years, and I’m also extremely passionate about Yulong.
“The growth Yulong has had globally in a relatively short period is already amazing, and it’s great to get back on the team and do my part. I eagerly await being on the Gold Coast in January,” said Stephens.
It is a busy time ahead for the Yulong team, with over 200 yearlings destined for the sale ring in 2024, including 43 at Magic Millions in January and a record draft of 77 at Inglis Premier sale.
“We look forward to welcoming Troy back to the Yulong team,” said Yulong General Manager Vin Cox. “He is well-known and will add to what is an exciting and busy future for the farm.”
