In today's instalment of 2022/2023 Rapid Reflections, we feature a quickfire round with Claudia McDougall who handles nominations, sales and marketing at Yulong Stud.
TDN AusNZ: Favourite racing moment of 2022?
Claudia McDougall: Nature Strip’s demolition job in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot and Dubawi’s son Coroebus winning the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. I was still working for Darley at the time and as days in the office go, it doesn’t get much better than a homebred Classic winner.
TDN AusNZ: And favourite non-racing moment?
CM: Picking up our two terriers from quarantine this week after flying them down from the UK. They hadn’t seen us since July and went absolutely crazy.
Claudia McDougall | Image courtesy of Yulong Stud
TDN AusNZ: What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
CM: My first trip to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. By all accounts, it’s going to be completely different to any sale I’ve been to in the past! After the weather in Victoria over the past few months, I’m looking forward to some sunshine as well.
TDN AusNZ: Whose progeny have impressed you so far on your Magic Millions inspections?
CM: I’ve not seen many other consignments, but we have some lovely well-balanced types in the Yulong draft by Alabama Express. He’s a stunning horse himself and he seems to be passing this on to his progeny, they’ve got some real class about them.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite stallion, and why?
CM: In Europe, Oasis Dream, I was there when he beat Choisir in the July Cup and he consistently throws a top-notch performer year in, year out. If you’ve got a broodmare by Oasis Dream, you’re not in bad shape either.
In Australia, I’ve yet to meet a stallion with a better temperament than Written Tycoon, he’s a complete gentleman. He’s done it the hard way as well, upgrading his mares each season to now rank among Australia’s elite sires. We have some absolute belters by him on the farm including two cracking colts out of In Her Time and Viddora.
Written Tycoon | Standing at Yulong Stud
TDN AusNZ: Which stallion do you believe is the best physical type?
CM: Sea The Stars. He’s just an oil painting, if you were to imagine what a thoroughbred should look like, it would be him.
TDN AusNZ: Who do you think will take out 2023 first-season sire honours?
CM: It’s a bit of a numbers game with first-season horses but I’d love to see Harry Angel continue his great start. I think on type he suits Australian mares, and he already has a Group horse at home (in the Northern Hemisphere) out of a mare by Encosta De Lago. My partner Gareth looked after him until our move down here so we have a bit of a soft spot for Harry.
TDN AusNZ: Favourite binge-worthy television show?
CM: Yellowstone.
TDN AusNZ: What's your 2023 New Year's resolution?
CM: I rarely stick to any but finding a new horse and getting back in the saddle is something I can definitely get behind.
