Yulong is delighted to announce the acquisition of G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile winner More Than Looks, who will join their Victorian roster in 2025.
By international sire of sires More Than Ready (USA), the explosive 2024 G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile winner More Than Looks (USA) will shuttle to Australia from Lane’s End in 2025, commencing stud duties at Yulong.
After breaking his maiden, More Than Looks competed solely at Stakes level, demonstrating class and consistency throughout his career. His first black-type victory came in the G3 Manila S., defeating a deep field of proven Stakes performers.
He followed this up with a strong third-place finish in the G2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. behind subsequent G1 winner Carl Spackler (IRE), before securing the $200,000 Jefferson Cup S. at Churchill Downs by 2 ¾ lengths.
More Than Looks consistently performed at the highest level at four, running exclusively in G1 company. His first two starts in 2024 culminated in game second-place finishes in elite G1 races including the USD$1.25m Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland.
“More Than Looks is by one of the best stallions we have seen shuttle to Australia in More Than Ready” – Vin Cox
His crowning moment came in the prestigious G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile, demonstrating his electric turn of foot and defeating a highly competitive international field of eight G1 winners, including English 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech (GB) and dual Japanese G1 winner Geoglyph (JPN). With this victory, More Than Looks achieved his highest career rating of 105 on the Beyer speed scale, boosting his total prize money to an impressive USD$1,870,715 (AU$2,946,147).
“He’s an eye-catching horse that showed elite ability from day one,” said trainer Cherie De Vaux of More Than Looks. “His explosive turn of foot and competitive nature led to consistency at the highest level and ultimately resulted in him becoming a Breeders’ Cup Champion.”
Bred by Hinkle Farms, More Than Looks is out of the black-type winning Ladies’ Privilege (USA), a daughter of Champion juvenile sire Harlan’s Holiday (USA). She is a full sister to multiple Graded winner Takeover Target (USA) and hails from the family of G1 winner Critical Eye (USA).
More Than Looks’ sire, More Than Ready, has been incredibly successful in Australia, producing precocious, high-class runners that have thrived in the racing conditions.
His progeny have excelled at the highest level, with two Golden Slipper victors in Sebring and Phelan Ready, a Blue Diamond heroine in Samaready, as well as eight-time G1 winner and Champion filly More Joyous among the 96 Stakes winners in More Than Ready’s southern hemisphere crops.
“More Than Looks is by one of the best stallions we have seen shuttle to Australia in More Than Ready”, said Yulong’s General manager Vin Cox.
“He’s extremely good looking and as his name suggests, won some proper races including the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile. Coupled with an outcross pedigree, More Than Looks provides huge appeal to the Australian market, and we are delighted to stand him at Yulong in 2025”.
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