Queen Regent’s victory in the Listed Woodlands Stakes at Scone over the weekend provided another timely reminder of the early impact being made by first season sire Wild Ruler.
The talented filly became Wild Ruler’s second stakes winner from his first crop, adding further momentum to a promising opening season for the Group 1-winning son of Snitzel. Her success followed the emergence of Stretan Ruler, winner of the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes and runner-up in the G2 Todman Stakes.
Wild Ruler
For China Horse Club, Wild Ruler’s start at stud carries particular significance. A high-class sprinter who raced in CHC’s colours as part of its longstanding colt syndicate with Newgate and partners, Wild Ruler won the G1 Moir Stakes and has quickly begun transmitting the speed and class that defined his own career.
He is not the only CHC-connected young stallion making an impression.
Stay Inside, CHC’s brilliant G1 Golden Slipper winner, has also made a strong start with his first runners. His early representatives include Incognito, winner of the G3 Breeders’ Plate, Blue Door, winner of the G3 Kindergarten Stakes, and Lassified, winner of the Listed Wellesley Stakes in New Zealand.
At the time of writing, Stay Inside is operating at an impressive 20 percent stakes winners to runners from a limited number of first-crop starters, an early indication of the class he is passing on.
“We couldn’t be happier with how Stay Inside and Wild Ruler have started off,” said CHC’s Michael Smith.
Stay Inside
“They were both classy racehorses, and it is satisfying to see them passing on those genetics to their first crop of runners. They have both only had a small number of starters so far, and we are looking forward to following how their progeny continue to progress through the Queensland Winter Carnival and into the spring of their three-year-old season.”
Their early success reinforces the strength of China Horse Club’s stallion development programme: identifying elite colts, racing them at the highest level, and supporting their transition into the breeding barn.
“There is a big opportunity in Australia for a young stallion to step to the fore, with many of the stalwarts that have commanded the top of the sires’ table either passing recently or moving into the twilight of their careers,” Smith said.
“These young guns still have a long way to go, but from green shoots big things can grow.”