Universal Ruler mare Yonga Lass Triumphs in La Trice

Mark Smith - Monday January 1

The 4-year-old Universal Ruler mare Yonga Lass has been a revelation since joining the Grant and Alana Williams stable and earned a richly deserved maiden stakes success in the Group III Mrs Mac's - La Trice Classic (1800m) at Ascot on New Year's Day.

A reward for consistency (image Western Racepix)

Ridden by Willie Pike, Yonga Lass stalked the early pace set by Fine Touch and was a menacing presence on the home turn.

Fine Touch (Maschino) wasn't about to give in without a fight but fell a half-neck short, with Forever Dreaming (Snippetson) a head back in third.

Advertisement

A homebred for Ian O'Connor and partners, Yonga Lass, advances her record to six wins and two seconds from 12 starts with earnings of  $268,698.

O'Connor paid $75,000, through John Chalmers Bloodstock, for Yonga Lass' dam Give The Signal at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Despite placing in seven of her 23 starts, the daughter of Fastnet Rock retired a maiden.

 Yonga lass is the fourth foal and second winner for Give The Signal, whose last recorded foal is the unraced 3-year-old Stopthe Prospector (Gingerbread Man).

Yonga Lass is the 11th stakes-winner for Scenic Lodge's Universal Ruler. The veteran son of Scenic covered 85 mares this season at a fee of $8,250. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Mrs Mac's - La Trice Classic Gr3 1800m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 1:53.79
1
Yonga Lass
- 4m Universal Ruler (AUS) x Give The Signal (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 55
2
0.3
Fine Touch
- 4m Maschino (AUS) x Modern Touch (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: R W Price Rdr: Michael Poy 55
3
0.4
Forever Dreaming
- 5m Snippetson (AUS) x Absolute Cracker (AUS) (Flying Pegasus (AUS))
Tnr: C H Webster Rdr: T Turner 55
4
3.3
Megami
- 4m Playing God (AUS) x Fail Safe (AUS) (Von Costa De Hero (AUS))
Tnr: Takahide Ikenushi Rdr: B Parnham 55
5
3.7
Rusty Dreams
- 4m Universal Ruler (AUS) x She Done Him Wrong (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: M L Lane Rdr: Chris Parnham 57.5
6
3.8
Kia Ora Jewel
- 5m Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Trickle (NZ) (Storm Creek (USA))
Tnr: Ms S L Miller Rdr: S Parnham 55
7
4.2
Ecstasy Of Gold
- 3f Smart Missile (AUS) x Hello Again (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Greg Cave Rdr: Ms L Staples 49.5
8
4.3
Jadavi
- 9m Coconut Grove (AUS) x Gambraker (AUS) (Gambade (AUS))
Tnr: I F Shield Rdr: Keshaw Dhurun 58
9
7.5
Bandalera Miss
- 8m Blackfriars (AUS) x Bandalera (AUS) (Scenic (IRE))
Tnr: F R Kersley Rdr: Jordan Turner 55
10
7.6
Ihts Closing Inn
- 4m Sessions (AUS) x Ihtsatune (AUS) (Ihtiram (IRE))
Tnr: A G Durrant Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 57.5
More Reading...
Plenty of Quality in Condensed Book 2 of Karaka 2026
A graduate trifecta in the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) provided a timely reminder of the quality that can be found in Book 2 of NZB’s National Yearling Sale, and more of the same can be expected at Karaka 2026.
Winning Hat-Trick for Kiwi Purchase Grid Girl
New Zealand-bred mare Grid Girl made her first visit to Sydney on Sunday and maintained her rich vein of form, extending her winning sequence to three in the A$160,000 TAB Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.
Sires With Winners - Sunday December 7
Here is the full list of 63 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Campionessa Sister Adds to Mapperley Family of Success
Simms Davison is more than happy to play the long game with his broodmare gem Bella Carolina and her family.
Glamour Savabeel Mare Orchestral Retired to Stud
The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained mare suffered an atrial fibrillation when running 10th in last month’s Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and the decision was made to bring the curtain down on her racing career.
2026 Inglis Premier – Sire and Vendor Break Up
The 2026 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale is now online and there is a distinctly Yulong flavour to the sale with Victoria’s biggest farm also the biggest vendor and they stand three of the top five most represented sires.
US Debut 2YO Winner for Aussie Speedster Houtzen
Magic Millions talk is everywhere as we head towards January and the winner of the MM 2YO Classic in 2017 was I Am Invincible filly Houtzen, who produced a debut winning juvenile in the US over the weekend.
2026 Inglis Premier Now Online
The catalogue for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale – the source of the past three The Everest winners that were offered at public auction – is now available online.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
There were just two heats for juveniles at Warwick Farm on Monday morning and both were won by Bjorn Baker trained youngsters with one of them the highest priced Australian sold yearling by first season sire Sword of State.
$2.2million Zoustar Filly Goes Two from Two
The highest priced yearling by champion sire Zoustar sold in 2024 when fetching $2.2million at Inglis Easter, Plaintiff was stepping out at Rosehill on Sunday for her second race start and kept her record perfect.