Yulong Splashes $2.8 Million on Kiwi Superstar Legarto

In a blockbuster deal that has sent shockwaves through the global thoroughbred industry, Chinese billionaire Zhang Yuesheng’s Yulong Investments has acquired New Zealand champion Legarto for a reported NZ$2.8 million (approximately AUD $2.6 million). The multiple Group 1 winner will join Yulong’s ever-growing broodmare band in Australia, bringing an end to her outstanding racing career that captured the hearts of fans across both sides of the Tasman.

The deal, finalized late last week after weeks of private negotiations, sees the daughter of champion sire Proisir head across the Tasman Sea to begin her new life as a broodmare at Yulong’s state-of-the-art Victorian facility. Legarto retires with a race record that few New Zealand-trained horses have been able to match in the modern era, making her one of the most sought-after broodmare prospects to come onto the market in recent memory.

A Racing Career For The Ages

Trained throughout her career by the husband-and-wife team of Ken and Bev Kelso at their Matamata stable, Legarto burst onto the scene as a three-year-old and never looked back. Her career highlights include a breathtaking victory in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton, where she swept past her rivals with stunning acceleration that left spectators in awe.

But it was her performance across the Tasman that truly stamped her as a horse of exceptional quality. In the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington, Legarto faced a strong field of locally-trained colts and geldings on one of Australian racing’s biggest stages. Despite traveling across the Tasman and racing on an unfamiliar track, she produced a powerful finishing burst to claim victory, becoming one of the few New Zealand-trained mares to win that prestigious event.

Across her entire career spanning 18 starts, Legarto amassed an impressive record of seven wins and four placings. Her prize money earnings exceeded NZ$1.8 million, a testament to her consistency and ability to perform at the highest level. Her versatility on both wet and dry tracks made her a formidable opponent in any conditions, while her fighting qualities in the closing stages of races endeared her to racing fans on both sides of the Tasman.

Beyond her Group 1 triumphs, Legarto also performed admirably in several other elite-level events. She finished a close second in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa and ran a creditable fourth in the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings. Her ability to handle travel and perform away from her home track was one of her most valuable attributes.

Why Yulong Pounced

For Yulong Investments, the purchase of Legarto represents another strategic acquisition in their ongoing quest to build one of the world’s premier broodmare bands. The operation, which already stands high-profile stallions including Alabama Express and Yulong Command at their Victorian base, has been aggressively targeting quality fillies and mares with proven race performance and commercial pedigree potential.

Legarto’s pedigree adds significant value to the price tag. Her sire Proisir has emerged as a major force in Australasian breeding, consistently siring stakes winners and his progeny have sold for strong prices at yearling sales across Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, her dam family has produced multiple stakes winners over several generations, suggesting that Legarto’s quality is no fluke but rather the result of deep-rooted class.

Bloodstock experts believe Legarto will likely be served by one of Yulong’s own stallions in her first season at stud. Alabama Express, a Group 1-winning son of Alabama, has made a promising start to his stud career and would be a logical match for a mare of Legarto’s profile. Alternatively, a covering by Yulong Command, a dual Group 1 winner by champion sire Snitzel, would produce a foal with exceptional commercial appeal.

What The Sale Means For New Zealand Racing

While the loss of Legarto to Australian interests will undoubtedly sting local racing fans, the sale highlights the continued strong demand for New Zealand-bred bloodstock on the world stage. The Kiwi breeding industry has long punched above its weight, producing champions that excel not only in New Zealand but also in Australia, Asia, and beyond.

Trainer Ken Kelso, who developed Legarto from a raw two-year-old into a Group 1-winning superstar, expressed mixed emotions about the sale. “She has been a horse of a lifetime for us, without any doubt,” Kelso said in an emotional interview. “We have shared so many special moments with her, from her first win to those big days at Group 1 level. We will miss having her around the stable, but breeding is her future now. We wish her new connections all the best and hope she produces many champions.”

Jockey who partnered Legarto in most of her starts also paid tribute to the mare. “She was just a professional from day one. Never gave me any trouble, always tried her heart out. To ride a mare like her at Group 1 level was a privilege. I will never forget that Australian Guineas win – she was simply awesome that day.”

New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association CEO welcomed the sale, noting that it reflects the respect international buyers have for Kiwi bloodlines. “The New Zealand breeding industry continues to produce world-class horses year after year. Legarto’s sale price is a testament to the quality that comes out of this country. While we are sad to see her leave, this deal showcases New Zealand breeding on the global stage.”

Yulong’s Growing Global Empire

The acquisition of Legarto continues Yulong’s remarkable spending spree on quality bloodstock that has characterized their approach since Zhang Yuesheng first entered the racing industry. In recent years, the operation has purchased multiple Group 1 winners and high-class fillies, including the likes of Arcadia Queen, Spright, and several other stakes-producing mares.

Zhang Yuesheng, who made his fortune in the coal industry in China’s Shanxi province, has spared no expense in his pursuit of racing success. His philosophy has been simple: acquire the best bloodstock available and provide them with the best possible environment to thrive. Yulong now stands among the major players in Australian breeding, with a stallion roster that attracts mares from across the country and internationally.

The operation’s Victorian property is a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for the care and management of elite thoroughbreds. With experienced staff and world-class veterinary support, Legarto will receive every possible opportunity to succeed in her new career as a broodmare.

Industry Reaction

News of the sale has generated significant reaction across the racing world. Prominent owners, breeders, and fans have taken to social media and industry forums to express their views on the deal.

“She gave us so many great moments,” one fan wrote on social media. “I will never forget her Australian Guineas win. She was simply brilliant that day, and she put New Zealand racing on the map.”

Another commented: “Yulong knows what they are doing. Legarto is a magnificent mare, and with her pedigree, she will produce champions. Sad to see her leave New Zealand, but grateful for the memories she gave us.”

A prominent New Zealand breeder added: “This is a great result for the Kelso team and for New Zealand breeding. It shows that if you produce a top-class horse, the buyers will come. I wish Legarto all the best in her new career.”

Looking Ahead

Legarto is expected to be transported to Yulong’s Victorian property within the coming weeks, where she will undergo routine veterinary assessments before breeding plans are finalized. The timing of her first covering will depend on her physical condition and the recommendations of Yulong’s veterinary team.

Early speculation suggests that Alabama Express or Yulong Command will be the leading contenders for her first mating, though other options have not been ruled out. The resulting foal, expected to arrive in spring 2027, will be eagerly anticipated by racing fans and breeding enthusiasts alike.

As Legarto begins her new chapter, racing fans will remember her as a mare who could do it all. From her explosive win in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas to her courageous victory at Flemington, she carried the hopes of a nation and delivered time and time again. Her legacy, however, may yet be written in the breeding shed. If she passes on her talent to her offspring, Legarto could become one of the most influential mares in Yulong’s expanding empire.

The NZ$2.8 million price tag makes her one of the most expensive mares sold at public auction or private sale in New Zealand racing history. It is a testament to her ability and the faith that Yulong has in her future as a broodmare. For the New Zealand breeding industry, it serves as both a reminder of the quality they produce and the reality of the global marketplace.

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