Zhang has invested heavily in Australia with a state-of-the-art stallion, broodmare and spelling facilities in Victoria and now as a top-flight winner in two countries, Yulong Prince will be a future quality addition to the Yulong roster.
He won the G1 Greyville Daily News in South Africa as Surcharge (SAF) before Zhang purchased the entire and was successful in the Listed Cup Day Plate at the Melbourne Spring Carnival 12 months ago and had posted five black-type placings in between times.
“It’s just great for Mr Zhang to get his first Group 1 in Australia, he has invested so much in the Australian industry and he’s here long-term so it’s fantastic for racing,” Yulong Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray said.
“He’s put a lot of money into property and bloodstock and it’s still early days so it’s a fantastic result. It’s his second Group 1 win this year after Lucky Vega won the Phoenix S. in Ireland in August. I’m just thrilled for him, he’s put so much in.
“He’s put a lot of money into property and bloodstock and it’s still early days so it’s a fantastic result.” – Sam Fairgray
“Yulong Prince is by a son of More Than Ready and he’s got Canny Lad in his sire line so there is an Australian feel, he will be an interesting horse as a stallion.”
Yulong Prince is prepared by Chris Waller and Fairgray said the champion trainer had figured out what works best for the 6-year-old.
“All credit to Chris, he knows the horse needs to be fresh and to have his races spread out. He likes a big track and lots of room in the straight and it was a great ride by Damian Lane today.
“All of the horse’s runs this preparation have been super – he’s a multiple Group 1 winner now and a smashing-looking horse.”
Jo Taylor (left) with Yulong Prince (SAF)
Group 1 double
Yulong Prince completed a Group 1 double at Flemington for Waller following the success of September Run (Exceed And Excel) in the Coolmore Stud S.
Buffalo River (USA) (Noble Mission {GB}) set up a hot speed and Yulong Prince relished the genuine gallop to produce a sterling finish with Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) coming from the back for second with Rock (Pierro) home for third.
“When the speed went on I thought perfect, that’s just what we wanted and Damian rode him a treat,” Waller’s representative Jo Taylor said. “To get the Group 1 for Yulong and Mr Zhang is fantastic.
“When the speed went on I thought perfect, that’s just what we wanted and Damian rode him a treat.” – Jo Taylor
“He is a big supporter of us, and not just of us but racing in Australia, so he is certainly deserving of these big results. You can’t speak highly enough about Chris Waller either, how he manages these horses’ careers – he’s a cut above the rest.”
Lane was having his first ride on Yulong Prince on Saturday and said there was a sense of timing about the stallion, having finished runner-up in the G2 Chelmsford S. and fourth in the G1 Epsom H.
“His first two runs this prep were brilliant and he looked like he was peaking third-up. It worked out well as he didn’t step that well and I needed some tempo and he really let rip.
“I got to the front quite early and I could hear Ollie (Damien Oliver on Cascadian) yelling and he’s got quite a distinguished voice and my horse knuckled down and fought it out for the win.”
