Universal Ruler has been an ever-present influence at Scenic Lodge since he first saw the light of day at the Muchea stud in September 2004.
And after covering 16 books, his career stats improved to 231 individual winners of 757 races when his 3yo filly Universal Impact won the Swan Draught Maiden (1800m) at Ascot on Friday.
Universal Impact (Photo / Western Racepix) is raced by owner-trainer Mike Santich and his partner Tracey Brown and, after a busy start to the season, she broke through in style sitting outside stablemate Impending Lass (Impending) before putting the race to bed half-way down the straight.
“It’s been a while coming but I expected her to win today,” Santich declared as Natika Riordan returned to scale on the winner. “She’s been consistent and boxed on nicely at her last start here.
“You have to put the time in with horses with ability like her. She’s a treat to train and that makes it much easier.”
Universal Impact (3f Universal Ruler – Fast As The Wind by Blackfriars) scored by over a length from Gold Enigma (My Admiration) and odds-on favourite Midnight Star (Zoustar) and she’s bred to get over ground.
Fast As The Wind won four races to 1800m for Durrant Racing and she’s a full-sister to stablemate Come Play With Me who claimed the LR Aquanita Stakes and LR Belmont Classic before travelling to Sydney to win a G1 ATC Metropolitan Hcp for champion trainer Chris Waller.
Scenic Lodge bred and sold Universal Ruler to Impressive Racing’s Kevin Berry and Darren McAuliffe at the 2006 Perth Magic Millions. He defeated subsequent Australian Horse of the Year Scenic Blast in a LR Perth Stakes and then added a LR Bunbury Stakes despite various problems that restricted his career to 6 wins in 12 starts.
Since returning to Scenic Lodge following that 50% strike-rate, he’s been treated like one of the family by managing owner Jeremy Smith siring a Group-winning roll-call led by The Velvet King (WATC Belmont Sprint), Lady Cosmology (SAJC Proud Miss Stakes), Yonga Lass (WATC La Trice Classic) & Bam’s On Fire (MRC Anniversary Cup).
Smith has also bred several of Universal Ruler’s latest crop including foals from Kim Classic (Encosta De Lago), Tennessee Raider (Rebel Raider), Miss Mushu (Encosta De Lago), Poker Face (Snippetson) and Tranquility (Redoute’s Choice).
