Cover image courtesy of Yulong
Growing Empire, a 3-year-old son of Zoustar who competed on the hightest level, retires to Yulong, and will be available to breeders at $22,000 inc GST. The multiple Group 1-performed colt adds a new dimension to Yulong's growing roster in the 2025 breeding season.
“Growing Empire is a gorgeous, athletic colt with the kind of looks breeders love to see in the ring. On the track, he showed blistering speed and precocity, winning stakes races in his spring 3-year-old season, and he mixed it with the best sprinters in the country,” said Yulong’s Sam Fairgray.
Sam Fairgray | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Athletic from the beginning
Growing Empire was purchased by Yulong from Vinery Stud’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft for $700,000, and the price reflects his pedigree and athletic build. Sent to trainer Ciaron Maher, Growing Empire debuted in Sydney as a February 2-year-old, running second, before heading south where he won the Listed Valley Pearl Stakes, defeating Bittercreek (Snitzel) who went on to win the G2 Spirit Of Boom Stakes in Brisbane and place in the G1 JJ Atkins Plate.
Meanwhile Growing Empire continued his southerly journey, adding a victory in the G3 SAJC Breeders’ Stakes, to conclude his juvenile season with two stakes wins from three starts. Set for the spring, he continued his winning run with a win in the G3 HDF McNeil Stakes and the Listed Poisedon Stakes.
Growing Empire winning the Listed Poseidon Stakes | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
It was time for the big questions, and Growing Empire answered, running second in the G1 Manikato Stakes to dual Group 1 winner Southport Tycoon, who retires to Widden this season, with multiple Group 1 winning sprinter I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) in third.
First colt home in The Everest
Growing Empire was then announced as the runner in the G1 The Everest for Yulong’s slot, Maher felt that Growing Empire was ready to tackle The Everest following his narrow second against the older horses in the Manikato where he looked the winner but was gunned down late.
“He showed he was the right sort of horse against the older horses the other night and he has improved every time he went to the races,” Maher said.
“He (Growing Empire) showed he was the right sort of horse against the older horses the other night and he has improved every time he went to the races.” - Ciaron Maher
It took two proven Group 1 winning sprinters to beat him, with three-time Group 1 winner Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) making it four Group 1 wins and dual Group 1 winner and former The Everest winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in second. Growing Empire’s third placing in the G1 The Everest made him the first colt home.
“Importantly, he has the competitive attitude and toughness we prize in our stallions. Being by Zoustar out of a fast Snitzel mare, his pedigree is pure speed on speed. He’s a perfect fit for Yulong’s roster, and we believe breeders will be as excited about him as we are, especially once they lay eyes on him.”
Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Not to be done yet, his trainers thought he could cope with another gut-busting effort and he agreed, running third in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes behind Switzerland and Bellatrix Star (Star Witness). In the autumn, Growing Empire added a fourth in the G1 Newmarket Handicap won by Joliestar (Zoustar). He retires with earnings over $3 million.
“Good horses can do that - they can sprint from either end of the race. He's a brilliantly fast colt,” said Ciaron Maher after the Newmarket Handicap where Growing Empire dealt with an awkward run while carrying level weights with the older horses.
“Good horses can do that - they can sprint from either end of the race. He's (Growing Empire) a brilliantly fast colt.” - Ciaron Maher
A pedigree worth seven figures
The second foal of stakes-placed Snitzel mare Miles Of Krishnan, Growing Empire’s older half-sister Dancing Alone (I Am Invincible) was a $1.4 million yearling and she proved the money was worthwhile, winning six of her ten starts and was Group 2-placed. She will go through the ring on Thursday at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale as Lot 51.
Dancing Alone | Image courtesy of Inglis
Their dam, Miles Of Krishnan, won five races and placed in the G2 Queen Of The South Stakes. She is a half-sister to Champion 2YO In New Zealand Il Quello Veloce (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}) and her Listed winning full sister Donna Cattiva (NZ). Another half-sister, winning mare Menagerie (Zoustar) is the dam of $850,000 yearling and now Group 3 winner Holmes A Court (Capitalist).
This is the family of super sprinters Tiger Tees (NZ) (Dubawi {Ire}), Terravista (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}), Ball Of Muscle (Dubawi {Ire}), Our Lukas (NZ) (Generous {Ire}), and proven sire Super Easy (NZ).
