Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Several stallion parades were held in Victoria on Thursday, with many industry participants attending the Lovatsville, Yulong, Darley and Swettenham parades.
Yulong’s eleven stallions shine
In 2025, Yulong will stand an impressive roster of eleven stallions, led by Champion Sire Written Tycoon. He is joined by emerging talents Grunt (NZ), Alabama Express, Pierata, Lucky Vega (Ire), and Tagaloa. The line-up also features exciting but unproven sires such as Diatonic (Jpn) and Panthalassa (Jpn), along with three newcomers: First Settler, Growing Empire, and American-shuttler More Than Looks (USA).
Magic Millions’ Victoria and Tasmania Manager, Tim Brown, was impressed:
“As always the Yulong boys acted and paraded very professionally.
“As always the Yulong boys acted and paraded very professionally.” - Tim Brown
“There are some very nice individuals, Growing Empire is a nice big horse, and he walks well, First Settler is a great type and looked well, and More Than Looks is very typical of his sire More Than Ready.
“A horse that I was very impressed with was Panthalassa. He is a nice scopey horse, good size and strength, and in terms of the next shuttling stallion, he could be the one.
Gallery: Yulong Investments’ stallions, image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Written Tycoon also looks super for his age and presented well.”
Will Stott from Inglis Victoria was equally enthusiastic:
“It was great at Yulong, there was plenty of people out for a look, and the stallions didn’t disappoint.”
“I think Growing Empire at the fee is great value, he is a perfect style of Zoustar. He was stiff to not win a Group 1 race, he looks a safe bet to me.”
Will Stott | Image courtesy of Inglis
“First Settler is a spitting image of his sire, and you could say the same thing about More Than Looks, he is very much in the mould of his sire More Than Ready. Yulong just purchased Cleo Cat via Inglis Online and she is going there, so he is going to get every opportunity.
“We have seen some nice Diatonics during Inglis inspections, and Lucky Vega has Within The Law, who looks a Group 1 winner in waiting.”
“Written Tycoon is also in great order, he looks older now and is only serving Yulong mares but it was great to see him, he has played a major part in the role of breeding in Victoria.”
Brent Thomson | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Brent Thomson, New Zealand Bloodstock’s Victoria representative, also rated the stallions highly:
“Alabama Express is impressive obviously, Growing Empire has let down nicely. Panthalassa caught my eye as a middle-distance sire, he is a nicely balanced horse.
“In short, they all looked well and ready for the season ahead.”
“In short, they all looked well and ready for the season ahead.” - Brent Thomson
Exciting times at Lovatsville
Lovatsville's line-up for 2025 features five stallions, led by newcomer Move To Strike, a Group 1-winning juvenile for Te Akau Racing in New Zealand. He is joined by Royal Meeting (Ire), whose first crop includes G1 Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi. Fierce Impact (Jpn), whose first crop have just turned three, includes stakes-placed filly Zelia, and Generation and Gold Trip (Fr), whose first foals are due this spring.
“It was great to get to Lovatsville nice and early for the first parade,” Stott said.
“Move To Strike is exciting, he is a big and strong son of I Am Invincible, and he has really good appeal.
Gallery: Lovatsville's stallions, images courtesy of Lovatsville
“Royal Meeting looked well, he has already produced a Blue Diamond winner and it was great to see Gold Trip and Generation let down well.
“Sam White has done a great job at Lovatsville, he has got great numbers for his stallions, and as he quotes, he is open for business and willing to do deals. He gets it, and has a great background having worked for Coolmore and Ciaron Maher. He gets the game and gets people.”
Darley Northwood - A mix of proven and new
At Darley’s Victorian base in Northwood Park, the 2025 stallion roster features a powerful blend of proven and emerging talent. Headlining is the outstanding Street Boss (USA), alongside proven sires Brazen Beau and Kermadec (NZ). The younger generation includes Paulele, whose first yearlings have just turned one, and Cylinder, whose first foals are due this spring.
“Darley have a lovely mix of blood and stallions,” Stott said.“Obviously Street Boss is probably at the peak of his powers in terms of performance, he has done a wonderful job.”
Gallery: Darley Australia's stallions
“Brazen Beau is a safe bet, Kermadec can leave you a racehorse, especially over a trip.
“Paulele has some lovely yearlings around, while Cylinder is a pretty sexy horse. He is a strong type with a big hip. He is an exciting horse and could be a punt horse – if he leaves a couple of nice 2-year-olds it may be a smart move using him this season in year two.”
Toronado heads up Swettenham’s lineup
Swettenham Stud has four stallions on its 2025 roster, with Puissance De Lune (Ire) still available on request. Leading the team is proven sire Toronado (Ire), joined by I Am Immortal, Wooded (Ire), and second-season stallion Lofty Strike.
“It was a lovely way to finish at Swettenham,” Stott said.
“They have a nice mix of stallions. Toronado is doing a fantastic job, he is such a good-looking stallion, his progeny sell well, and they have great looks.
Gallery: Swettenham Stud's stallions, images courtesy of Swettenham Stud
“He had the equal top lot at Melbourne Premier this year when he had a colt sell for $1 million, and he is just a very appealing stallion, particularly if you get a colt. The sire line is really firing in Australasia with Dundeel, So You Think, etc.
“Lofty Strike is about to stand his second season. He has a fast pedigree and has plenty of size and bone. He has been well supported by Paul Lofts and the Swettenham team – if he gets a couple of 2-year-olds firing, this season might be a good play.
“Wooded has had a Group 1 winner in France, and he comes from the Wootton Bassett sire line, which is very popular. And I Am Immortal started from a low base and is doing a great job. He is the sire of McCaw and Swettenham have done a great job keeping his fee low – he could probably be standing for more.”
Strong turnout and positive signs
Stott wrapped up the series of parades with enthusiasm: “All the parades had a really good turnout, there were loads of people around and it is a great chance to see some great stallions, catch up with people and discuss different breeding theories as there are plenty of them.”
“It was also great to see the likes of Ciaron Maher, Chris Waller and Michael Kent Jnr – these guys trained these stallions and are likely to buy their progeny, so it was great to get their insight.”
