Yulong Stud adds Growing Empire to stallion roster for 2025

Yulong Stud has swooped on one of the most exciting colts in the world, with Growing Empire set to join its stallion roster for the 2025 breeding season.

The decision means there will no four-year-old campaign for the son of Zoustar and Miles of Krishan, who managed to finish in the minor placings in the Everest.

Growing Empire, which will stand for $22,000 (plus GST) at Yulong, retires with more than $3 million prizemoney and appears to be tailor-made for the sale ring.

A $700,000 Inglis Easter yearling, Growing Empire was a standout from day one. He delivered early on that promise, placing second on debut before unleashing four straight stakes wins in his two-year-old and early three-year-old career, including a dominant performance in the G3 McNeil Stakes and a commanding 1.3-length victory in the Listed Poseidon Stakes down the Flemington straight.

As a spring three-year-old Growing Empire confirmed his standing among the elite by taking on older sprinters for a gallant second in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes, beating home Champion Sprinter I Wish I Win.

He was the first colt home in the $20 million Everest, finishing third to beat Group 1 stars Lady Of Camelot, Sunshine In Paris, Private Eye, Joliestar, Stefi Magnetica, and I Wish I Win. He backed that up with a brave fourth in the Newmarket Handicap, only a few lengths off the winner despite an awkward run and carrying level weights against older horses.

Hall of Fame trainer Ciaron Maher said Growing Empire had all the characteristics of a quality stallion.

“Good horses can do that – they can sprint from either end of the race,” he said.

“He’s a brilliantly fast colt.”

Top jockey Mark Zahra, who partnered him in multiple stakes wins, said: “He has that electric speed whenever you need it – at the start or the finish, whenever you want to use it.”

Chief operating officer at Yulong Sam Fairgray said Growing Empire had the traits to succeed as a sire.

“Growing Empire is a gorgeous, athletic colt with the kind of looks breeders love to see in the ring,” he said

“On the track, he showed blistering speed and precocity, winning stakes races in his spring three-year-old season, and he mixed it with the best sprinters in the country. 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.”

Yulong Stud is located in Mangalore just off the Hume Highway in country Victoria.