Chinese businessman Zhang Yuesheng is leaving no stone unturned developing his Australian bloodstock portfolio from YuLong Farm at Bayles in Victoria.
Zhang’s Yulong Investments sandwiched some notable buys at the Tattersalls July Sale last week between feature wins in Australia and Ireland.
Melbourne agent Sheamus Mills (FBAA) purchasing 12 fillies and mares for Yulong Investments with a total spend of 840,000gns (AUD 1.51 million) headed by 3yo filly Lake Hamana who cost 210,000gns.
Lake Hamana (Shamardal) was consigned by Godolphin and is from Listed winner Lake Toya (Darshaan). It’s the extended family of classic winners Generous (Caerleon) and Imagine (Sadler’s Wells).
Another buy out of the Godolphin consignment was Next Meeting (Street Cry) for 90,000gns while Australian expat Causeway Lass (Giant’s Causeway) was sold in foal to Darley shuttler Exceed And Excel.
“I thought the sale was reasonably accessible,” Mills said. “It was a lot better value than last year’s December Sale and the timing works for us as far as getting these good fillies ready for southern-time covers.
Irish National Stud champion Invincible Spirit (Green Desert) is likely to cover at least five of the purchases. “We will also consider Frankel, Golden Horn and Muharrar,” Mills added. “They’re all stallions that don’t shuttle so are particularly interesting.”
Mr Zhang’s colt Yu Long Sheng Hui (Sebring) looked a spring candidate winning at Caulfield on July 2 and his tough gelding Killarney Kid (Pendragon) claimed the VRC Country Cup Tour Trophy at Flemington on Saturday.
Irish based Yulong Investments filly Yulong Baobei (Choisir) followed up with a Listed victory in the Tipperary 2YO Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. “She is exciting and I’m delighted for Zhang Yuesheng who has five two year-olds with me,” trainer Michael Halford said after the three-length victory. “He knows his horses and will be patient with her.”
Yulong Investments took up residence last year at its 175-acre property in Bayles, 75km south-east of Melbourne, and its goal is to provide a whole range of services including standing stallions.
ZHANG YUESHANG