Ray Gall and Ron Quinton's association Invincible as duo chase another winner

The relationship between I Am Invincible's part owner Ray Gall and Ron Quinton runs back to the 1970s and smart 3-year-old Ljungberg (I Am Invincible) continues the association at Rosehill on Saturday.

"Back when he was a jockey, Ronny rode for me when I first owned horses," Gall recalled. "Even at barrier trials he would ride a few for me and he would always give me a good insight. Instead of just jumping off and saying "it goes alright" or "send it to the country", Ron was very meticulous with the feedback he would give."

So when Quinton switched from saddle to the trainer's tower in 1993, Gall was one of the first to offer him horses, and it turned out to be a very good one.

Mamzelle Pedrille (Zoffany {USA}) was a flag bearer for Quinton, winning 11 races and multiple black type victories.

"She took us to Hong Kong twice as well," Gall said. "He went from there and I always keep five or six in his stable.

The best of those might be fellow 3-year-old Royal Celebration (Excelebration {Ire}), a winner of three and never worse than second in seven career starts, but Ljungberg is building a decent record of his own.

"His last two runs have been very good and he has always showed us plenty of promise – although he had a very chequered start to his career," Quinton said.

A quarter crack meant Ljungberg missed the start of his 3-year-old season but he is now making up for lost time, winning two on the bounce including a four-length triumph last time out on the Kensington.

The connection with Gall meant Quinton was one of the early adopters of I Am Invincible and the trainer said Ljungberg was a great example of the breed.

"I bred some mares to I Am Invincible myself and had some luck when he was an unknown," Quinton said. "It's pretty simple, they just win races every day. He has been a wonderful stallion already but he can only get better. What he has been able to do with the mares he has had is remarkable."

The rise-and-rise of I Am Invincible

Ljungberg is named after Swedish footballer Freddy Ljunberg, who was part of Arsenal's unbeaten "The Invincibles" side of 2003-04, and just like those Invincibles, I Am Invincible looks bombproof right now.

It would remiss not to ask Gall about the rocket-like career trajectory of I Am Invincible after his yearlings were the must-have buys at the recent Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

"Vinny" topped the aggregate price for yearlings at the Gold Coast but as many judges have pointed out, it is only now that the yearlings are coming from matches with mares boasting proven records.

"I Am Invincible has started off a very low base, what he has been doing has been with low quality mares. One of the mares I sent to him was worth $3000 and he had produced three winners out of there," Gall said. "All that has changed with the latest list of matings including Black Caviar (Casino Prince). She had her best foal to him last year, and she is in foal to him again."

Gall has boosted his own broodmare stocks in order to get the best out of his star stallion, counting L. Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Flying Jess (Hinchinbrook) among his acquisitions.

Gall, along with Yarraman Park and partners, have also found an eclectic mix of outcross mares from America, procuring stakes-placed mares Laney (Shackleford) and Put Da Blame On Me (Blame).

"When we are selling horses we are going to have mostly I Am Invincibles, and we want to make sure we are putting some quality to him," he said. "He has already been rated one of the best stallions in the world but we will see his best over the next few seasons."

"The best is yet to come"

I Am Invincible stood his first season at stud for just $11,000 in 2010, before jumping from $27,500 in 2014, to $55,000, $110,000 and then finally $192,500 for his ninth season in 2018-19.

"And he got a full book," said Gall, who bred I Am Invincible's dam Cannerelle (Canny Lad) before selling her and buying I Am Invincible as a yearling for $62,500.

Gall said he has knocked back offers of more than $30 million for his half share but is obviously happy to have stuck with his stallion.

Even though I Am Invincible has maintained incredible numbers over the last five seasons, Gall suggested his workload would be decreased slightly.

"He has a very high fertility rate. He covered more than 200 mares again this year, but we have cut back on his workload 10-15% next year," Gall said. "He is only 14, but he did go to stud as an older horse. He was very lightly raced, well looked after and didn't go to stud until he was well and truly matured so I think his best is yet to come."