The Everest placegetter Growing Empire retired to stand at stud
The Everest placegetter Growing Empire has run his last race and will stand at stud in the spring.
Owners Yu Long Investments announced the three-year-old would head to the breeding barn after only 11 starts.
Growing Empire won four of his 11 starts and more than $3 million in prizemoney.
The Zoustar colt was a Group 3 winner at both two and three but measured up to sprints when placed against the older horses in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and The Everest last spring.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Growing Empire had three unplaced runs in the autumn, finishing fourth in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap and fifth in The Galaxy at his last two outings.
Yulong has set Growing Empire's stud fee at $22,000 (including GST) for his first season.
'Growing Empire is a gorgeous, athletic colt with the kind of looks breeders love to see in the (sales) ring,' Yulong's chief operating officer Sam Fairgray said.
'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 join the likes of Written Tycoon, Alabama Express, Pierata and Grunt on Yulong's 2025 stallion roster.
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