More Than Looks joins Yulong’s star studded line-up

The Breeders’ Cup winning Turf Miler More Than Looks is the latest international star to join Yulong’s Victorian-based stallion roster.

‘More Than Looks is by one of the best stallions we have seen shuttle to Australia in More Than Ready,’ said Yulong. ‘He’s extremely good looking and as his name suggests.’

‘Winning some proper races including the Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile, and coupled with an outcross pedigree, More Than Looks provides huge appeal to the Australian market.’

And with his sire More Than Ready being co-leading sire of Breeders’ Cup winners, it was trainer Cherie De Vaux saying, “He is an eye-catching horse that showed elite ability from day one.”

“His explosive turn of foot and competitive nature led him to compete consistently at the highest level, and ultimately resulted in him becoming a Breeders’ Cup Champion.”

In blitzing the international field with his great acceleration, More Than Looks won the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile at Del Mar, which included eight Group 1 winners from Europe, USA and Japan.

In fact, after being slowly away at the start, winning jockey Jose Ortiz Jr said afterwards, “It went perfectly with William Buick in front, it was Notable Speech I wanted to follow.”

Making ground from last rounding the home turn, More Than Looks showcased his electric turn of foot to power down the outside and deny Johannes his fifth straight win by ¾ length.

Running 1:32.65 for 8 furlongs on a firm-rated turf track, it was English 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech in third, with Ortiz Jr saying, “I’m happy for Cherie, and to ride for her barn.”

With this Grade 1 victory, More Than Looks earned his highest career Beyer speed figure of 105, having earlier run second in the Group 1 Fourstardave Stakes and Keeneland Turf Mile.

Unraced at two, he won 4 of 8 starts at three, including the Group 3 Manila Stakes over 8f, the Jefferson Cup Stakes also at 8f, and finished third in the Group 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes.

His sire More Than Ready is a co-leading Breeders’ Cup sire with seven winners of eight races and internationally is the sire of nearly 120 black type winners and 13 Grade/Group 1 winners.

In Australia he sired the Golden Slipper winners Sebring and Phelan Ready, Blue Diamond heroine Samaready, and eight-time Group 1 champion mare More Joyous among his 96 stakes winners.

Bred by Hinkle Farms, he’s from the stakes-winning Harlan’s Holiday mare Ladies’ Privilege, a $575,000 Keeneland buy, a full-sister to dual Group 2-winning sire Takeover Target, and from the family of Group 1 winner Critical Eye.

Also new to Yulong this season is the Written Tycoon Group 2 sprinter First Settler, who as a tough, good-looking, unbeaten juvenile offers breeders an exceptional opportunity.

Luke McDonald of Baramul Stud recalled, “The colt was exceptionally well-muscled, very robust, strong, and well-proportioned, with a bit of X-factor about him at an early age.”

With Written Tycoon siring 76 stakes winners including Golden Slipper winners Capitalist and Lady Of Camelot, he was a $750,000 Gold Coast yearling from the blue-hen Lady Capel, by Last Tycoon.

Also new this season is Growing Empire, a four-time stakes winner by champion sire Zoustar from the Snitzel mare Growing Empire, combining two of the most preeminent sires.

‘Dominant at two, mixed with the best at three, he produced electric speed and sheer raw talent,’ with over $3m in earnings, having been a $700,000 Inglis Easter yearling from Vinery Stud.