‘An incredibly exciting chapter’ – bloodstock agent Harron takes on Yulong consultancy role

Yulong has called on the services of renowned bloodstock agent James Harron to assist in managing its enormous breeding and racing portfolio in a new agreement between the expatriate Irishman and the thoroughbred industry empire. 

Harron will act as a consultant to Yulong as the Zhang Yuesheng-owned racing and breeding giant expands its presence into the Hunter Valley via its acquisition of Segenhoe Stud.

Importantly, under the terms of the agreement, he will maintain his existing client base and continue to independently operate his James Harron Bloodstock fillies and colts partnerships which this year enjoyed Group 1 success via Snitzel’s son Fireball, the Group 1 Champagne Stakes winner.

“It’s an incredibly exciting chapter of the Yulong story with the establishment of a presence in the Hunter Valley, especially so given this will be at Segenhoe, Australia’s best-producing stud farm,” Harron told The Straight.

“It is a real privilege to have the opportunity to provide some consultancy to Mr Zhang, Jun and the team. 

“At the same time, it will be very much business as usual at James Harron Bloodstock, and I am very much looking forward to the new season of racing with a lovely group of rising two-year-olds working towards the track alongside our existing racing team.”

Harron intends travelling to the Hunter Valley next week to meet with Yulong staff at Segenhoe Stud, which was purchased from Kevin Maloney in late April.

Yulong general manager Jun Zhang, who was elevated to his current position in March last year upon the departure of Vin Cox, confirmed Harron’s consultancy role to The Straight on Friday.

“It’s not a full-time role. It’s just a very standard consultancy engagement and we’re (using him to help us given) his experience.”

Zhang did not rule out Yulong becoming a financial backer of Harron’s long-running colts syndicate in the future.

“It is something we will discuss with James in the future,” he said.

Yulong will have a five-stallion roster in the Hunter Valley this year – the proven Alabama Express, Lucky Vega and Tagaloa as well as Group 1-winning first-season sires Devil Night and Private Harry – complementing its roster of eight at its Nagambie property in Victoria.

At the Australian breeding stock sales in May, Yulong added to its quality broodmare band by acquiring Benedetta, Provence, Legarto, Miss Hellfire, Snitzanova and Captured By Love.

The newly purchased mares were all set to reside at Segenhoe Stud with Yulong to have 150 to 160 in total located at the sought-after farm.

Maloney, who sold Segenhoe to Yulong for more than $30 million after owning the pristine property for almost 15 years, is keeping a selection of his mares at the property, while others have been moved to Sledmere Stud.

Fairway Thoroughbreds’ John Camilleri and Sheikh Khalifa Al Maktoum have transferred their mares to Coolmore while Newgate Farm and Yarraman Park also picked up mare-owning clients as a result of Yulong’s purchase of Segenhoe Stud.