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...
MM Gold Coast Horses In Training Sale Links
Tuesday saw the final breeze ups at the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale which starts on Thursday so here’s our links to useful data including the pinhook report, with most lots having been sold previously.
Sword of State 2YO Ready for Debut
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
National Thoroughbred Week invites support through GoFundMe campaign
National Thoroughbred Week (NTW) is calling on the thoroughbred community and broader public to be part of history, with the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to help bring this inaugural celebration to life.
2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas Field and Barrier Draw
A full field plus emergencies have accepted for the $3million Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday with Golden Rose runners Wodeton, Autumn Boy, Nepotism and Rivellino all engaged.
Gimcrack Winner Bred By Cornerstone
THE "BACKSLAPPING" in the backwaters of the Barossa on Saturday afternoon, paled into insignificance when compared to the celebrations of the connections of SHIKI that won on debut!
Wrote SW on Comeback Trail
Robbie Patterson had high Classic hopes for Read About It last season before his rising young star’s progress was halted by illness.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 7
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Briasa Boost as More Youngsters Impress on HIT Sale Eve
The timing couldn’t be better for a sale page's pedigree boost, with Briasa announcing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting sprinters following his dominant victory in Saturday’s $1 million Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
OTI Racing officially enters New Zealand market
OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator becoming a licensed New Zealand syndicator this week.