Black type for Stretan Ruler

02 Dec 2025

A thrilling finish in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on Saturday saw the latest stakes horse for Willow Park Stud, with Stretan Ruler far from disgraced in second place.

 

Two-year-old colt Stretan Ruler was on debut for the Phillip Stokes stable, coming into the race off two jumpout wins earlier in the month.

 

Jumping from barrier 12 in a field of 13 juveniles, Stretan Ruler was quick out of the gates before settling three-wide in fifth and finding a kick at the 200m and taking the lead 100m from home.

 

The final half-furlong saw him dig in for the fight with eventual winner Eternal Warrior (Extreme Warrior), who got the bob right on the line to win by just 0.1L.

 

It was an impressive debut by Stretan Ruler, who became the first stakes performer for Newgate Farm’s first season sire Wild Ruler (Snitzel).

 

Bred by Kirks Bridge Farm, Stretan Ruler was prepared and sold by Willow Park at the 2025 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, where he was knocked down to his trainer and Suman Hedge Bloodstock for $220,000.

 

A half-brother to Stokes’ stable star Stretan Angel (Harry Angel [IRE]), a three-time stakes winner to Gr2 level, Stretan Ruler is out of Bernardini [USA] mare Sretan, whose best racetrack performance was a third at Kembla Grange in a three-start career for Godolphin.

 

He joins Listed winner El Rocko (Fastnet Rock x Butters [USA]) as stakes performed WP graduates this season and is another promising runner from out two-year-old crop, alongside the filly Lassified (Stay Inside x Exclusive Lass), a winner on debut in NZ three weeks ago.