Growing Empire Retires to Yulong and Fee Set

Media Release - Monday May 5

One of the most exciting colts of his generation, Growing Empire, will join Yulong Stud’s stallion roster for the 2025 breeding season.

A brilliantly fast son of Zoustar out of Miles Of Krishan, he combines blistering speed, precocious talent, and a physique tailor-made for the sale ring.

Growing Empire was a $700,000 Inglis Easter purchase.

A $700,000 Inglis Easter yearling, Growing Empire was a standout from day one. He delivered early on that promise, placing second on debut before unleashing four straight Stakes wins in his two-year-old and early three-year-old career, including a dominant performance in the Gr.3 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes and a commanding 1.3-length victory in the Listed Poseidon Stakes down the Flemington straight.

Growing Empire will stand at a fee of $22,000.

As a spring three-year-old Growing Empire confirmed his standing among the elite by taking on older sprinters for a gallant second in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes, beating home Champion Sprinter I Wish I Win. He was the first colt home in the $20 million Everest, finishing third to beat home Group 1 stars Lady Of CamelotSunshine In ParisPrivate EyeJoliestarStefi Magnetica, and I Wish I Win. He backed that up with a brave fourth in the Newmarket Handicap, only a few lengths off the winner despite an awkward run and carrying level weights against older horses.

Hall of Fame trainer Ciaron Maher was full of praise. “Good horses can do that – they can sprint from either end of the race,” he said. “He’s a brilliantly fast colt.”

Growing Empire retires with over $3 million in earnings and a record that blends class, consistency, and toughness. Top jockey Mark Zahra, who partnered him in multiple stakes wins, said: “He has that electric speed whenever you need it – at the start or the finish, whenever you want to use it.”

Advertisement

His pedigree only enhances the package. By champion sire Zoustar, his dam Miles Of Krishan (by Snitzel) was Gr.2 placed and comes from a deep black-type family. She is a half-sister to Gr.1 winner Il Quello Veloce, Stakes winner Donna Cattiva, and to the dam of Gr.3 winner Holmes A Court. This is the same speed-driven female line that produced sprinting stars Terravista and Tiger Tees.

Sam Fairgray, Chief Operating Officer at Yulong, said: “Growing Empire is a gorgeous, athletic colt with the kind of looks breeders love to see in the ring. On the track, he showed blistering speed and precocity, winning stakes races in his spring three-year-old season, and he mixed it with the best sprinters in the country. Importantly, he has the competitive attitude and toughness we prize in our stallions.

“Being by Zoustar out of a fast Snitzel mare, his pedigree is pure speed on speed. He’s a perfect fit for Yulong’s roster, and we believe breeders will be as excited about him as we are, especially once they lay eyes on him.”

Growing Empire will stand his first season at Yulong in 2025 at a fee of $22,000 (inc. GST).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Debut Winner for Doubtland
Standing at Widden Victoria, Not a Single Doubt’s young sire son Doubtland was one of the sires we saw in Victoria last week and he produced a stylish debut winner at Warrnambool on Thursday.
First Foal for Woodside Park Stud’s Benbatl
On our tour of the Victorian studs last week we visited Woodside Park Stud and while new recruit Celestial Legend was the star attraction it was hard not be impressed by Dubawi’s globe-trotting son Benbatl (GB), who has his first Australian bred foal on the ground.
Kia Ora Cancel Saturday Parade
It is with much regret that the management team at Kia Ora announce the cancellation of the Kia Ora Stallion Parade to be held on Saturday 23rd August 2025.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 22
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G2 Silver Shadow Stakes - Darley Princess Series
We've emerged from the worst of winter, but Sydney's wettest spring in a couple of decades is going to ensure a squelchy track for Saturday's Royal Randwick meeting if it even goes ahead.
First foal for Cambridge Stud's Chaldean
The first Southern Hemisphere bred foal by Cambridge Stud stallion Chaldean (GB) has hit the ground with a filly foal out of the winning Burgundy mare Top Note born at Pencarrow Stud.
Aussie Mare Asfoora Triumphs in G1 York Nunthorpe
Victorians breeders celebrated overnight with Aussie bred and owned Flying Artie mare Asfoora returning to her dazzling best to win the Group I Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) at York  with a scintillating performance.
Widden Parade Braves the Rain
Widden Stud’s annual series of stallion parades in the ‘Valley of Champions’ kicked off as scheduled on Thursday with the reigning Champion Australian Sire Zoustar the centre of attention, while the world’s fastest horse Cogburn (USA) also made his debut in Australia.
Future Bright for Danica Guy
Group Three winner Lupo Solitario has returned to New Zealand, and the care of his former trainer Danica Guy, following a six-month racing stint in Hong Kong, while the stable are also excited about a first starter this weekend by Justify (USA).
Second Stakes-winner for Palace Pier
Kingman’s champion son Palace Pier (GB) only shuttled for one season to Darley Australia with his first 2YO’s to race here this season and in Europe he’s doing a pretty good job with his second stakes-winner emerging overnight at York.