Universal Ruler owns the best strike-rate of any Australian based stallion this season and it kept rising on Wednesday when he sired three winners in just two races at Ascot.
The Scenic Lodge stallion increased his second-season stats to 17 individual winners from 32 starters after Idyllic Queen won Race 1 and Rule To Wyn & Universal Moon dead-heated in Race 4.
Universal Ruler (53%) leads I Am Invincible (50%) among all Australian stallions with a minimum of 10 individual winners.
Idyllic Queen (2f Universal Ruler – Uma Princess by Umatilla) was a standout winner second-up in the Westspeed 2YO Plate (1200m) and connections now have to decide which black-type she targets.
“She’s nominated for the Karrakatta Plate on Saturday week and it’s obviously an option if she gains a start,” Scenic Lodge general manager Jeremy Smith said. “But in saying that, the WA Sires’ Produce Stakes a fortnight later is probably a more suitable race.”
Scenic Lodge retained Idyllic Queen to keep a link with her family – she is the final foal of Uma Princess and is a three-quarter sister to Idyllic Prince who won 9 stakes races up to Group 2 level in the 2009 Lee Steere Stakes.
“She’s got a beautiful temperament,” trainer Jim Taylor said. “She’s from the same family as my favourite horse Idyllic Prince and she’s got a fair bit of ability, too.”
In rare result for any stallion, Universal Ruler scooped the pool after the judge couldn’t separate Rule To Wyn and Universal Moon in the Westspeed Stakes (1000m) on Wednesday.
Rule To Wyn (3f Universal Ruler – Wynyard Hall by Blackfriars) is also trained by Taylor and looked home at the furlong only to be collared right on the right on the line. She is raced by David & Michelle Bagley and is a half-sister to LR Gimcrack Stakes winner Darlington Abbey.
Universal Moon (3f Universal Ruler – Walk To The Moon by Star Pak) is unbeaten in two starts at Ascot for trainer David Harrison and a stable syndicate that includes Alan and Brigit MacAlister. The Serpentine couple also own Group 1 winning mare Magnifisio.
Universal Ruler stands alongside Blackfriars and Scenic Lodge is mindful the champion sire isn’t getting any younger. “Blackfriars is the complete stallion but he’s rising 19,” Smith said. “We’re looking to the future with Universal Ruler and he covered over 120 mares last year.”
