breednet.com.au

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...
Birchley Back to NZ for More Millions
Queensland trainer Liam Birchley is no stranger to success in the richest two-year-old race in New Zealand, the $1million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), and he is hoping to replicate the winning feeling next weekend as he prepares to line-up a pair of quality fillies in the Ellerslie dash for cash.
Hawker Hall Wins Last on Magic Day
James McDonald made the most of a late pick-up ride on Hawker Hall when he let the gelding rip from a wide barrier to run his rivals ragged in the $250,000 Magic Millions Class 6 Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Ones to Watch – Rosehill
In years to come when racing trivia nights are held, a question will be - what was the horse champion jockey Jett Newman rode in her first metropolitan race win?  And the answer is our One to Watch.
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 17
Here is the full list of 111 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Torque To Be Sure Survives Protest For 3YO Guineas Win
Torque To Be Sure survived a protest in the stewards’ room to shrug his maiden tag on the biggest stage with a win in the $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) on Saturday.
2026 NZB KARAKA YEARLING SALE PREVIEW – Sky Thoroughbred Central this Monday
Caroline Searcy’s extensive preview of the Centenary New Zealand National Sale will premiere on Sky Thoroughbred Central Monday night at 7.30pm AEDST. This is a must watch chance to see over ten percent of the Book 1 catalogue and a some select Book 2 yearlings as well, ahead of sale ground inspections this week and the Sale’s commencement on Sunday January 25.
King of Roseau Brings Full Circle Moment for Capitalist and Snowden
A decade after Peter Snowden won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Capitalist, the champion trainer saddled up the stallion’s son King Of Roseau to win the $2 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Geese That Lay Golden Eggs – What’s in the Future?
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sale was highlighted by 15 yearlings that sold for $1million or more which was two more than last year when just 13 hit the magic mark, but still considerably down on 2024 which saw 23 millionaires sold following on from 20 in 2023.
Via Sistina Retired - Dubawi Her First Mating
Chris Waller has announced the retirement of Champion mare Via Sistina after returning for her autumn campaign not “her normal highly energetic self”.
Mulcaster Finds First Winner for Portland Sky
A Group I winning son of champion sire Deep Field, Widden Stud’s Portland Sky put his first winner on the board at Ascot on Saturday with a dominant debut victory for talented filly Daryte, who was purchased by Guy Mulcaster.