Yulong confirmed late last week that Group 1-winning colt Alabama Express, the son of the legendary Redoute's Choice, had been retired and would begin his new career at stud in 2020.
A winner of four of his eight career starts for trainer Mike Moroney, Alabama Express defeated the older horses in the G1 CF Orr S. in February, prompting Yulong to buy into the colt and secure him as a stallion for its burgeoning operation.
He was the first colt to win the Caulfield 1400 metre Group 1 since All Too Hard in 2013 and followed in the footsteps of his own sire, who won that race as a 3-year-old in 2000.
Bred by GSA Bloodstock, Alabama Express was purchased at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from Arrowfield Stud's draft by the trainer's brother Paul Moroney for $280,000. He is one of seven stakes winners by Redoute's Choice out of an Encosta De Lago mare and is the second of them to head to stud after Beneteau.
Alabama Express as a yearling
“His father [Redoute’s Choice] won the CF Orr S. and he’s more like dad than any other horse I’ve seen,” Mike Moroney said of Alabama Express. “If you can replicate even half of what his dad has done, he’s going to be a successful sire.”
“If you can replicate even half of what his dad has done, he’s going to be a successful sire.” - Mike Moroney
Alabama Express is one of only two Group 1-winning sons of Redoute's Choice on a Victorian roster in 2020 and at $27,500 (inc GST), currently has the second highest fee of any first-season sire in the state.
Grunt, who covered a very strong book of 178 mares in his first year off the back of both a strong response from local breeders and the support of Yulong's impressive broodmare band, will remain at his 2019 fee.
Grunt (NZ) will remain at his 2019 fee of $13,750 (inc GST)
The son of Champion New Zealand stallion O'Reilly (NZ) was a winner of both the G1 Australian Guineas and G1 Makybe Diva S. in a racetrack career which saw him win five races in all. He, like his new barnmate, Alabama Express, carried the colours of Rupert Legh during his racing days.
“We’re excited to stand two very talented Group 1 winners at Yulong in 2020,” Yulong Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray said. “I worked closely with the great Redoute’s Choice for years and now couldn’t be prouder to stand his son Alabama Express at Yulong, who is a physical replica of his sire.”
“Grunt kicked off his stud career with incredible support and a fantastic fertility rate of around 90 per cent, so breeders can be confident they will have a high chance of getting their mare in foal. He is a gorgeous individual and a pleasure to deal with. We are looking forward to seeing his first foals arrive in August.”
Tagaloa will also join Grunt (NZ) and Alabama Express on the roster at some point in the future
Yulong also secured a significant share in G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) as a future stallion prospect and the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained colt will join Grunt and Alabama Express on the roster at some point in the future.
