Alabama Express secured a valuable Group 1 victory when winning the CF Orr S. at Caulfield at his most recent start for trainer Mike Moroney. He is set to contest the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on Saturday.
Yulong, which stood 2018 G1 Australian Guineas Makybe Diva S. winner Grunt (NZ) as its foundation stallion at its Yulong Stud at Nagambie last year, has secured a share with the existing owners of Alabama Express ahead of his next Group 1 test.
Alabama Express on his way to victory in the CF Orr S.
“Investing in a colt the quality of Alabama Express highlights the commitment of Mr Zhang to develop the strength of the Yulong stallion roster and the Melbourne breeding industry,” said Sam Fairgray, Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer.
“Investing in a colt the quality of Alabama Express highlights the commitment of Mr Zhang to develop the strength of the Yulong stallion roster and the Melbourne breeding industry." - Sam Fairgray
Yulong has built an impressive broodmare band of well over 100 over the past few years and Grunt served an impressive book of 178 mares last year. Given that, Alabama Express should get every opportunity to make his name as a stallion whenever it is decided he will retire.
Bred by GSA Bloodstock, Alabama Express was purchased for $280,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock at the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He is out of Lago Ovation (Encosta De Lago) from the family of stakes winners such as Rekindled Interest (Redoute's Choice), Where We Left Off (GB) (Dr Devious {GB}) and Porticcio (Ire) (Lamitas {GB}).
Alabama Express as a yearling
“He was just a cracking athlete and he had a lot of quality, with a great mind,” Paul Moroney recalled of him as a yearling. “He had a lot of his dad, Redoute’s Choice, about him. He was a great moving horse and to me, he was a standout on class.
“He’s obviously taken that quality of his looks across to the racetrack and he’s proven himself as a high-quality racehorse. He’s got all the hallmarks of making a great stallion prospect - he’s a Group 1 winner, he’s athletic, he’s a standout on type and he’s got a lot of his dad about him.
"He’s got all the hallmarks of making a great stallion prospect - he’s a Group 1 winner, he’s athletic, he’s a standout on type and he’s got a lot of his dad about him." - Paul Moroney
“We’ve always thought that he was a miler, so I’m excited to see him step up to that distance this weekend. We thought that from the day we bought him as a yearling.”
Alabama Express is one of three Group 1 winners by Redoute's Choice out of an Encosta De Lago mare, a nick which has produced nine stakes winners in all from 61 runners.
It was that combination of those two great bloodlines which appealed greatly to Yulong.
The late Redoute's Choice, sire of Alabama Express
“Redoute’s Choice is an Australian phenomenon. He is peerless in his achievements at stud and continues to build his legacy through exceptional sons and daughters. We couldn’t be more delighted to secure a Group 1 WFA-winning son, who is built in the mould of his Champion Sire,” Fairgray said.
“Alabama Express is out of an Encosta De Lago mare, the same cross as exceptional sire Beneteau. This Australian sire-power is complemented by his quality international female family which should suit the local broodmare population.”
Mike Moroney, who has guided Alabama Express to four wins from his seven starts to date, will continue to train the colt, with other parties involved in the ownership including Lib Petagna and Rupert Legh, who was also a major owner in Grunt.
Trainer Mike Moroney with part-owner Rupert Legh and Alabama Express
