Up & Coming Breeder Profile: Eugene Tong

Eugene Tong (first from the right)

Melbourne-based corporate advisor and investor Eugene Tong has been a racehorse owner for a number of years, most notably with Te Akau Racing, but recently has expanded his interest into breeding.

“I got the racing and breeding bug from my Dad who owned horses in the 1990s but he had too many slow ones so threw in the towel!” laughed Eugene. “But more recently I’ve roped him into some yearlings that I’ve purchased and  syndicated amongst friends and family.”

Working closely with longtime friend and trusted bloodstock adviser Marcus Corban, Eugene’s first foray into breeding was via Cavalry Rock. Purchased at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, she is an unraced Fastnet Rock mare, out of Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes winner, Cavalry Rose. Sending her to Flying Artie, Cavalry Rock’s first foal was the now 2YO gelding, Complete Unknown.

Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Complete Unknown scored an impressive 4-length win at Bendigo on the 26th June, at only his second-career start, winning in Eugene’s colours. That win caught the attention of Hong Kong interests, and he will shortly embark on the next phase of his racing career in Asia’s world city.  

“When I first started in breeding, everyone told me it was a long and challenging game, but there is no better feeling than seeing a horse you bred and race win at the track,” said Eugene.

In the 2023 and 2024 breeding season, Eugene sent Cavalry Rock to Darley’s Blue Point (Ire), producing a filly and then a colt. Maluka Thoroughbreds, who Eugene says do a great job caring for his mares and foals, prepped and sold the yearling filly at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, where she was purchased for $50,000 by Matthew Corban of Inspire Racing - a purchase that was deemed Value Buy of the Day by TTR. The Blue Point colt is earmarked to be sold at the 2026 yearling sales.

Eugene also owns the mare Kings Brook (Hinchinbrook x Ordinance). Her Maurice filly (Kingsbrook Diva) is with NZ trainer Allan Sharrock, and has shown early promise as a 2YO.  Eugene will also be sending her half-sister by Hellbent to the yearling sales next year.

Adding to his industry involvement, Eugene has recently bought into Lovatsville Stud’s G1-winning stallion, Move To Strike.  

“I believe him (Move To Strike) to be an exciting stallion prospect for Victoria, as a precocious son of champion sire I Am Invincible and also an impressive type,” said Eugene.

“It’s an exciting time to be involved in the Victorian breeding industry. There’s a significant amount of money being invested, and we have all the ingredients for a successful future as an industry.”  

We wish Eugene all the best for his future endeavours.