Yulong is excited to announce that Group 1 WFA-winning 3-year-old Alabama Express will be joining Grunt on the Victorian farm’s progressive stallion roster this season.
The move to purchase Alabama Express in February this year, soon followed by the acquisition of gun juvenile Tagaloa, clearly illustrates the committment of Yulong to the local Victorian industry.
A son of legendary Redoute’s Choice from an Encosta de Lago mare, Alabama Express combines the same sire lines as outstanding stallions Beneteau and Zoustar.
“This Australian sire-power is complemented by his quality international female family which should suit the local broodmare population,” said Fairgray. “Alabama Express is a horse with a standout profile for success, with an exquisite pedigree, a Group 1 weight-for-age win at three and is a beautiful physical.”
Trained by Mike Moroney, Alabama Express was a debut winner at two and quickly stepped up when winning his first start in a stakes race as a spring 3-year-old.
He faced some of the best horses in the country when emulating his sire Redoute’s Choice to win the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Impressively, he beat the winners of seven Group 1 races and ran the fastest time since Lonhro in 2004 when winning the Group 1 event. He was the first 3-year-old winner since All Too Hard in 2013.
“He had a lot of his dad, Redoute’s Choice, about him. He was a great moving horse and to me, he was a standout on class. He’s got all the hallmarks to make a great stallion – he’s a Group 1 winner, he’s athletic and he’s a standout on type.”
