Universal Ruler mare Yonga Lass Triumphs in La Trice

Mark Smith - Monday January 1

The 4-year-old Universal Ruler mare Yonga Lass has been a revelation since joining the Grant and Alana Williams stable and earned a richly deserved maiden stakes success in the Group III Mrs Mac's - La Trice Classic (1800m) at Ascot on New Year's Day.

A reward for consistency (image Western Racepix)

Ridden by Willie Pike, Yonga Lass stalked the early pace set by Fine Touch and was a menacing presence on the home turn.

Fine Touch (Maschino) wasn't about to give in without a fight but fell a half-neck short, with Forever Dreaming (Snippetson) a head back in third.

Advertisement

A homebred for Ian O'Connor and partners, Yonga Lass, advances her record to six wins and two seconds from 12 starts with earnings of  $268,698.

O'Connor paid $75,000, through John Chalmers Bloodstock, for Yonga Lass' dam Give The Signal at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Despite placing in seven of her 23 starts, the daughter of Fastnet Rock retired a maiden.

 Yonga lass is the fourth foal and second winner for Give The Signal, whose last recorded foal is the unraced 3-year-old Stopthe Prospector (Gingerbread Man).

Yonga Lass is the 11th stakes-winner for Scenic Lodge's Universal Ruler. The veteran son of Scenic covered 85 mares this season at a fee of $8,250. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Mrs Mac's - La Trice Classic Gr3 1800m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 1:53.79
1
Yonga Lass
- 4m Universal Ruler (AUS) x Give The Signal (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 55
2
0.3
Fine Touch
- 4m Maschino (AUS) x Modern Touch (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: R W Price Rdr: Michael Poy 55
3
0.4
Forever Dreaming
- 5m Snippetson (AUS) x Absolute Cracker (AUS) (Flying Pegasus (AUS))
Tnr: C H Webster Rdr: T Turner 55
4
3.3
Megami
- 4m Playing God (AUS) x Fail Safe (AUS) (Von Costa De Hero (AUS))
Tnr: Takahide Ikenushi Rdr: B Parnham 55
5
3.7
Rusty Dreams
- 4m Universal Ruler (AUS) x She Done Him Wrong (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: M L Lane Rdr: Chris Parnham 57.5
6
3.8
Kia Ora Jewel
- 5m Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Trickle (NZ) (Storm Creek (USA))
Tnr: Ms S L Miller Rdr: S Parnham 55
7
4.2
Ecstasy Of Gold
- 3f Smart Missile (AUS) x Hello Again (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Greg Cave Rdr: Ms L Staples 49.5
8
4.3
Jadavi
- 9m Coconut Grove (AUS) x Gambraker (AUS) (Gambade (AUS))
Tnr: I F Shield Rdr: Keshaw Dhurun 58
9
7.5
Bandalera Miss
- 8m Blackfriars (AUS) x Bandalera (AUS) (Scenic (IRE))
Tnr: F R Kersley Rdr: Jordan Turner 55
10
7.6
Ihts Closing Inn
- 4m Sessions (AUS) x Ihtsatune (AUS) (Ihtiram (IRE))
Tnr: A G Durrant Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 57.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Monday December 15
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia announces 2026 Next Crop Committee
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of the 2026 Next Crop Committee, a national group of passionate and forward-thinking industry participants committed to supporting the next generation of Australia’s thoroughbred industry.
Pedigree Pointers – Karaka 2026
The 2026 NZB National Yearling Sales (January 25-29) offers buyers the cream of the New Zealand crop and in the weeks leading up to the sale we’ll go looking for pedigrees of interest for a myriad of reasons.
Inglis Classic Sale-Topper Wins HK International Mile
Hong Kong champion Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) added another elite chapter to his extraordinary season on Sunday, producing a courageous performance to claim a second consecutive G1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin, further cementing his status as one of the great racehorses of the modern era.
Magic Millions 2026 Magazine Now Online
The Magic Millions magazine is now online featuring a terrific mix of stories for the racing fan and horse lover ahead of the racing canival and yearling sale next month in the Gold Coast.
One to Watch – Newcastle
A debut winner for Farnan has an interesting background, bred in Queensland and sold as a weanling before becoming a pinhook winner at the Adelaide Magic Millions and now being trained at Newcastle where he won today.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday December 16
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2026 Magic Millions Order of Entry 2YO and 3YO Updated
Racing Queensland have today released order of entry updates for the rich $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas to be run at the Gold Coast on January 17 with the top two juvenile contenders both by Too Darn Hot (GB).
G2 Eight Carat Attracts Star Fillies
Graham Richardson and Rogal Norvall’s star filly Lollapalooza is set to be joined in the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day by her rapidly emerging stablemate Fleeting Star.
West is Best - Outstanding Perth Magic Millions Yearling Catalogue Online
The cream of the Western Australian yearling crop has been assembled for the 2026 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale and the quality packed catalogue is now online.