Grunt Gelding Dragoon Opens Winning Account at the Valley

Mark Smith - Friday February 16

After placing in three of his six starts, the Grunt gelding Dragoon broke his maiden over 1600m at Moonee Valley on Friday.

Dragoon rounds up million-dollar colt Limburg (image George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Daniel Moor for Greg Eurell, Dragoon sat on the speed set by the royally bred favourite Limburg (Justify), and the pair settled down to a stirring dual. Dragoon defeated Limburg by a head with the Pierro gelding Ceremonious close-up in third in an all-3-year-old finish.

Advertisement

“He deserved that; he has been ultra-consistent,” Greg Eurell said.

“We are getting to the end of the prep. One of the owners asked if there were any runs left in him. I said that I didn’t think so; this may be his last, so thankfully, he got the job done.

“I think he will improve after a spell as he is quite progressive, and I love his consistency over a long preparation.

“He has a strong constitution, and as a 4-year-old, he will be a nice horse.”

A $150,000 purchase for Greg Eurell / All Winners / Golden River from the Golden Grove draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Dragoon is the third winner from four to race for the Darley-bred Commands mare Prose.

A half-sister to Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks heroine Colette and Listed MRC Chairman's Stakes winner Metastasio, Prose died in 2022, and Dragoon is her final foal.

Dragoon a $150,000 Inglis Classic yearling

Bred by Thoroughbred Partners,Dragoon is the 14th winner of the season for Yulong Stud’s Grunt, a top five second-season stallion riding high through the deeds of Veight and Miraval Rose. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Alinta Energy Mdn Plate 1600m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(4) Time: 1:37.73
1
Dragoon
- 3g Grunt (NZ) x Prose (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: D Moor 59
2
0.2
Limburg
- 3g Justify (USA) x Maastricht (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jordan Childs 59
3
0.7
Ceremonious
- 3g Pierro (AUS) x Save The Date (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Damian Lane 59
4
2
Princess Pia
- 3f Maurice (JPN) x Defender (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 57
5
2.7
Testing The Cugat
- 5g King Cugat (USA) x Testthebudget (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: Heath Maclean Rdr: Hannah Le Blanc 59.5
6
4
Shades Of Sheriff
- 4g Ready For Victory (AUS) x Shades Of Julie (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: C J Davis Rdr: Zac Spain 59.5
7
6
Undisturbed
- 6g Anacheeva (AUS) x Wildcat Strike (AUS) (Hold That Tiger (USA))
Tnr: Ms W Church Rdr: John Allen 59.5
8
6.7
Chocolate Royal
- 3g Dandino (GB) x Star Of Persia (AUS) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: Pat Carey & Harris Walker Rdr: J Noonan 59
9
8.2
Sconaero
- 5g Tarzino (NZ) x Galaktika (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: R J Linnell Rdr: Sheridan Clarke 59.5
10
9.5
Sheza Snake
- 6m Redente (AUS) x She's Just Ace (AUS) (El Moxie (USA))
Tnr: C J Davis Rdr: Laura Lafferty 57.5
11
12
Largenincharge
- 6g Sidestep (AUS) x Willingani (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: F Stockdale Rdr: Jake Molloy 59.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wootton Bassett Colt Salutes at Sandown
Overdue for a win, talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Yamashita’s Gold shook off maiden status with a determined victory at Sandown on Wednesday for the Gavid Bedggood stable.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Melbourne Cup Dreaming for Kiwi Stayer
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday.
Sire Power Highlights Quality MM Horses in Training Catalogue
An incredible selection of the country's best proven and hottest young sires will feature at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale in October.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Spring Trial Watch – Everest Contenders on Show
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured a couple of key Everest contenders with Private Harry winning easily over speedy 3YO North England, while Lady Shenandoah was under a tight grip to finish third in a later heat.
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?
Too Darn Hot nomination realises $255,000 in August (Late) Sale
A nomination in exceptional young stallion Too Darn Hot has topped today’s Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale, selling for $255,000.