The high quality mare was a champion but ran into one of the greatest champions in Australia

Tycoon Lil was a New Zealand bred thoroughbred by Last Tycoon out of the mare, Imposing Bloom II (by Imposing) being a half-sister to Millie Munroe. The horse was bred by Tesio Bloodstock NZ, owned by PJ Walker and trained by Colin Jillings at Takanini. Tycoon Lil, in his estimation would be one of the finest horses the late Jillings ever trained and raced.

As a three year-old, Tycoon Lil was fairly indestructible and went on one of the best runs seen by any young horse in New Zealand. Tycoon Lil began her racing career by winning on debut at Pukekohe on the 16th of March 1997 over 1000m ridden by Mark Sweeney. After another placing the filly ran 2nd in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hasting in September and followed that up with a creditable 3rd in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. In November, Tycoon Lil won the prestigious Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, then finished 2nd in the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) two weeks later. On Boxing Day 1997 the horse ran 3rd in the Gr.3 Wilkinson (1600m) at Ellerslie convincing all that "Lil" was a dead set miler by this point in her career, but aiming for more ground. On the 2nd January 1998 Tycoon Lil won the Gr.3 Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie and franked her high class form by taking out the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Riccarton later in the month. Returning North the filly won the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa in February 1998 with a campaign then set down for Australia.

Chris Johnson had piloted Tycoon Lil in most of her major NZ victories, but two other great Kiwi jockeys would be engaged for her Australian assault, with Shane Dye the main character involved. With Grant Cooksley aboard, Tycoon Lil came out and won the 1998 Gr.1 Canterbury Guineas (1800m) in March from barrier (14) and then ran 2nd in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) fourteen days later to the classy, Tie The Knot. The filly returned to New Zealand for a well earned break and returned in the Autumn as a much stronger 4yo mare.

The mare ran 2nd in the Gr.2 Partsworld Stakes (1400m) at Hastings in late August ridden by Lee Dittman, then flew straight to Australia in September to take on Gr.2 Theo Marks (1300m) at Rosehill as a build up to the major Stakes races. She then attacked the Gr.1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, running 2nd in a strong display. In October Tycoon Lil ran 2nd to the legendary Might and Power in the Gr.1 Yalumba Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield with Shane Dye steering. It was a fantastic result even though she was beaten 2.3L behind the great horse. Tycoon Lil made all the running on the rail and looked likely 200m out, but Jimmy Cassidy wound up the Might and Power to finish over the top of her. It was a memorable and courageous effort and without the powerful horse in her way it is probable Tycoon Lil's Group status would be enhanced.

Her major target was the $1.5 million 1998 Gr.1 WS Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, where the mare once again ran into Might and Power at the peak of his career, having to settle for 3rd place, 3.1L behind the champion who broke the track record that day. Tycoon Lil returned home and would only have one further run in New Zealand, the Gr.2 Auckland Breeders Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe in November, going out on a high note and winning. The connections the took on the $1.3 million Gr.2 Hong Kong Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin but failed badly running 12th from 14 starters. It was an unfortunate finish to a stellar career that only spanned 20 starts, but she had taken on the best in New Zealand and Australia and performed brilliantly. She was retired after breaking a small bone in her foot while training at Takanini in June of 2000. Tycoon Lil won over $1 million in a career of eight wins, eight seconds and three thirds. She was voted horse of the year in the 1997/98 season and fortunately never had to face Sunline, who would claim that distinction over the following four years.

Tycoon Lil was purchased in 2002 in foal to Zabeel from her New Zealand owner Peter Walker by Katsumi Yoshida and spent the rest of her life at Arrowfield Stud, where she left Group 1 placed stakeswinner Estee (by Redoute’s Choice) and Group 1 placed Empress Lily (Zabeel) among her eight foals. Arrowfield & Northern Farm retained three of Tycoon Lil’s four daughters, Empress Lily, Deputy Lil (French Deputy) who died, and Rose Scent (Redoute’s Choice), in Japan. Empress Lily left two city winners and foaled a Redoute’s Choice filly.

RACE RECORD - 20: 8-8-3

EARNING - $1,058,951

1997 Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas

1998 Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks

1998 Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic

1998 Gr.2 Auckland Breeders Stakes

1998 Gr.3 Royal Stakes

1998 Gr.1 Canterbury Guineas