Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Yulong add a third new stallion to their ranks this season, offering First Settler (Written Tycoon) for $11,000 (inc GST). The winner of three of his six starts, including being unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile and a crowning victory in the G1 Danehill Stakes, he joins his Champion Sire at stud in 2025.
A $750,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for Yulong from Baramul Stud, First Settler flourished under the steerage of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, and debuted in the winter of his 2-year-old season with an electric two and a half length victory at Caulfield. He followed the performance up three weeks later with a decisive victory in a juvenile handicap at Flemington that confirmed he was ready for a shot at stakes level.
First Settler winning the Russell Dawson Plate | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Returning eight weeks later in the spring as a 3-year-old, he finished second to fellow Yulong stallion-in-waiting Growing Empire (Zoustar) in the Listed Poseidon Stakes at Flemington.
At his next start, First Settler stepped up to the plate in the G2 Danehill Stakes, beating Saturday’s G1 Goodwood winner Reserve Bank (Capitalist) by a head, with G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint victor Enriched (I Am Invincible) in third.
Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr praised him as a “very good straight horse, a good, masculine sprinting colt”, making reference to his excellent record down the Flemington straight, with two wins and a second from his first three runs at the venue.
First Settler winning G2 Danehill Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A stand-out from the start, First Settler is remembered by Baramul Stud’s Luke McDonald as an “exceptionally well-muscled, very robust, strong, and well-proportioned” colt; “he had a bit of X-factor about him.”
“He (First Settler) had a bit of X-factor about him.” - Luke McDonald
“First Settler was a big, strong, forward colt with a great temperament from day one,” said Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray. “He is by a Champion Sire, out of a fast Street Cry mare, and from a family full of Group 1 performers.
“On the track, he had blistering speed and toughness, and he’s exactly the type of athletic, precocious horse that breeders love. We believe he offers exceptional value, starting his career at a similar affordable fee to his father.”
“He’s (First Settler) exactly the type of athletic, precocious horse that breeders love.” - Sam Fairgray
Poised to follow in the footsteps of Champion Sire Written Tycoon, First Settler is the second stakeswinner out of Graciousness (Street Cry {Ire}), herself a half-sister to recently pensioned Vinery Stud stalwart Casino Prince, and the stakeswinners Tagus (Encosta De Lago), Lord Of The Land (Timber Country {USA}), and Metallurgical (Redoute’s Choice), as well as the dam of Joint Champion 2YO Colt and budding sire Best Of Bordeaux.
First Settler’s half-sister Vienna Princess (Snitzel) won the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes and the $1 million Silver Eagle before being beaten just two lengths in the $10 million Golden Eagle; a testament to the strength and athleticism of the family.
Written Tycoon | Standing at Yulong
Via blue hen second dam Lady Capel (Last Tycoon), this is also the family of Onemorenomore, Prince Fawaz, and G1 Krisflyer International Sprint winner Green Birdie (NZ) (Catbird).
First Settler takes the Yulong stallion roster to 11 for the 2025 season.
