Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate

Mark Smith - Tuesday November 5

Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.

Underway on Melbourne Cup Day with Tycoon Star  debuting in the Darley Maribyrnong Plate (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Michael Dee for Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, the 2-year-old son of Written Tycoon burst through the centre of the pack at the 200m to defeat the cosmic Force colt Bacash by a length with a nose back to the Spirit Of Boom colt Shining Smile in third.

“As soon as I got on him, he was very composed, he was relaxed, he took everything in his stride and he was super professional,” Dee said.

Advertisement

“Before the gates opened I knew just in his demeanour that he was going to be running a good race. He travelled nicely in behind them and took a gap and we hit the front quite early and he was good to the line so I was very happy.”

“He's definitely a nice natural colt, he does everything right and I'm sure he’ll just keep progressing in the right direction providing he pulls up well and stays composed as he was today.

“The track is in beautiful condition; there's plenty of give. It probably doesn't matter where you are, really, but as for the horse, he's ultra-professional, took a gap in the straight and won very well in the end.”

Ben Hayes said the son of Written Tycoon exceeded expectations.

 “It's the best result we could have asked for. I thought it was a very good effort by our horse,” Hayes said.

He jumped, he travelled well, and did everything correctly.

Great start to Melbourne Cup Day for Team Yulong (image Grant Courtney)

“I was saying before the race, he’s a very professional horse and that's what he brought today.

“It's a big thrill and it's a great way to start the day.”

“If you're winning this race, you can normally be very competitive in races like the Blue Diamond.

“(We’ve got) good supporters in Yulong. They're having a fantastic carnival and I‘m glad we can keep their success going.”

A $350,000 purchase for Yu Long Investments when offered by Milburn Creek Thoroughbreds at the National Weanling Sale, Tycoon Star was sold to Lindsay Park Racing for $400,000 when consigned by Yulong to the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Tycoon Star a $400,000 Magic Millions yearling

Tycoon Star is the first foal of the tough racemare Miss Iano (Equiano), who won eight and placed in seven of 42 starts, including a third behind Tofane and Pippie in the Group III Furphy Sprint.

James Bester Bloodstock shelled out $280,000 for Miss Iano’s Home Affairs colt at the 2024 Gold Coast National Weanling Sale.

Purchased for $310,000 by the Yulong-inspired Panthalassa Syndicate at the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Miss Iano visited Written Tycoon last spring.

Tycoon Star is the 67th black-type winner for Yulong’s flagship stallion, Written Tycoon.

Advertisment

Race Result - Darley Maribyrnong Plate Gr3 1000m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 0:58.01
1
Tycoon Star
- 2c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Miss Iano (AUS) (Equiano (FR))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M J Dee 58
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $400,000
Seller: Yulong, Nagambie, Vic (As Agent)
Buyer: Lindsay Park Racing
MM Gold Coast National Weanling Sale $350,000
Seller: Milburn Creek, Wildes Meadow, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Yu Long Investments (Australia) Pty Ltd
2
1
Bacash
- 2c Cosmic Force (AUS) x Classique (AUS) (Duke Of Marmalade (IRE))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $200,000
Seller: Robyn Wise, Toowoomba, Qld (As Agent)
Buyer: Lindsay Park Racing
MM Gold Coast National Weanling Sale $120,000
Seller: Robyn Wise, Toowoomba, Qld (As Agent)
Buyer: Blade Racing Pty Ltd
3
1
Shining Smile
- 2c Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Nataya Rose (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 58
Spirit Of Boom
MM Gold Coast National Weanling Sale $160,000
Seller: Robyn Wise, Toowoomba, Qld (As Agent)
Buyer: Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA)
4
2.8
Price Tag
- 2f Zoustar (AUS) x Humma Humma (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 56
5
3.8
Meisho
- 2f Tagaloa (AUS) x Dream Chaser (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Craig Williams 56
6
5.3
Red Barron
- 2c Justify (USA) x Ticket To Ride (AUS) (Vancouver (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens & W Larkin Rdr: Ben Allen 58
7
6
Military Tycoon
- 2f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Military Reign (AUS) (Universal Ruler (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Ethan Brown 56
8
8.8
Winmar
- 2c Written Tycoon (AUS) x You Hadme At Hello (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: B Shinn 58
9
8.9
Prestar
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Precautions (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: John Allen 58
10
16.9
San Marco Kid
- 2c Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Scarlet Billows (AUS) (Street Boss (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Beau Mertens 58
More Reading...
Record Breaking Breeze Up Sale at Arqana
Taking place the day before the French Guineas and following on from RULING COURT’s success in the 2,000 Guineas, the ARQANA Breeze Up Sale was held today in Deauville following the canters on Thursday at Deauville La Touques Racecourse and a day of inspections on Friday.
Reserve Bank Leads Inglis Charge
Dynamic 3YO colt Reserve Bank (Capitalist) capped off an unbeaten Adelaide carnival with victory in today’s $1m G1 Goodwood at Morphettville.
Best On Breeding
Saturday's Group III Henley Homes Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield is the seventh stakes race of the season for the 2-year-old and presents a golden opportunity for the first dual stakes winner.
Astute Bloodstock Mares Gross $8.8 Million at Inglis Chairman’s
Astute Bloodstock has recorded a stellar result at the 2025 Inglis Chairman’s Sale, with its draft and previously purchased mares grossing a combined $8.8 million, representing 16% of the total sale turnover.
Justify Colt Triumphs in G3 WA Sires Produce
Talented colt Just Too Fly became the 43rd stakes winner worldwide for his incredible sire Justify (USA) when he notched up a hard fought win in the 1400m G3 WA Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).
Black Type Debacle Rears Head Again
Should Know Thyself be a new stakes-winner for The Autumn Sun? Paul Messara thought he was after winning the ‘as advertised’ Listed $500,000 The Coast at Gosford on Saturday, but as it turns out he’s not.
Wootton Bassett Colts on Track for Royal Ascot
Given the highest ever service fee ($385,000) for a stallion standing in Australia, Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) has a new wave of exciting juveniles ready to unleash in the Northern Hemisphere and two of them won on Saturday, one each for Godolphin and Coolmore.
Inglis Digital Buy Barber Wins Takeover Target
Having just his second start for his new connections after being purchased for $215,000 from the Godolphin draft at last year’s Inglis Digital December Online Sale, Exceed And Excel gelding Barber captured the $250,000 Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 10
Here is the full list of 102 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blueblood Filly from Bonneval Offers Stakes Potential
Smart three-year-old filly Mary Eliza absorbed a strong tempo and still proved too good for her rivals when successful in the GMH Fire & Safety Australia Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.