Yulong Investments buys Group 2 winner in major sale
Yulong Investments have furthered their position among New Zealand’s racing ranks this week with the purchase of eye-catching Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) winner Ohope Wins.
The Australian-based racing and breeding operation, owned by Zhang Yuesheng, has made a play for some of the country’s top three-year-old fillies this season, and they have been rewarded through the success of Group One winner Well Written, who will put her unbeaten record on the line in tomorrow’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie.
The Stephen Marsh-trained filly is a dominant favourite for the mile feature, as well as the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) in March, and the purchase of Ohope Wins now gives Yulong a key hand in some looming Classic targets.
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Bred by Gartshore Bloodstock, Ohope Wins stormed home to capture the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, which catapulted her into joint favouritism for next month’s Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and prominently in the TAB’s futures market for the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day.
Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have welcomed Yulong onboard as new clients to their Matamata-based operation and are hoping they continue to invest in the New Zealand thoroughbred.
“It is good to see them (Yulong) wanting to be a part of the racing down here as well and not just Australia,” O’Sullivan said.
“Going forward we are hoping that they take a real interest in us here in New Zealand because it is going to give a lot of people great opportunities and the good thing is that we know our horses are very capable of holding their own at the highest level.”
O’Sullivan said Ohope Wins will remain in their care for at least the next six weeks, and he is excited to tackle some Classic assignments with her.
“She stamped herself as a staying three-year-old (when winning the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes), she was very impressive,” he said. “She is progressive and she is only going to keep getting better.
“She will stay here in New Zealand until after either the Oaks or Derby, we will just have to wait and see. All going well, she will be running in the New Zealand Oaks, that’s our plan.”
Ohope Wins debuted her association with Yulong when carrying their silks in an 1100m Group and Listed trial at Matamata on Friday where she pleased O’Sullivan with her hit-out.
“She trialled beautifully, I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
