Dual Group 1 Winner Loving Gaby Retired
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Photo: Mark Gatt
Loving Gaby wins the 2019 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley
Phoenix Thoroughbreds' star mare Loving Gaby has been retired for broodmare duties, the ownership announced Aug. 24.
The dual group 1 winner was on target for a run in The Everest, but after a slight set-back in training put that in doubt, her Dubai-based owners moved forward the decision to call time on her racing career.
The news comes just a day after the daughter of I Am Invincible was nominated for the Victorian Trained Horse of the Year following her victories in both the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (G1) and Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes (G1) last season. Overall, she additionally placed a further five times at the highest level and landed a pair of group 3 successes leading to her to earn around AU$2 million in prize money. Remarkably in a 13-race career, all at group level, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trainee only finished outside the places on three occasions.
Completing a full circle, she is heading back to where it all started for her at Kia Ora Stud. Born and raised at the Scone farm, she was later purchased as a yearling by Phoenix at the Inglis Easter sale for AU$500,000 (US$384,800), proving a very shrewd investment. Details of her breeding plans will be announced in the near future.
Phoenix Thoroughbreds CEO Amer Abdulaziz said: "It's sad that we have seen the last of Loving Gaby on the track, but we are excited about the next stage of her career. She is the type of mare that could be the cornerstone of our broodmare band for years to come.
"She has always been a bit of a sentimental favorite for everyone at Phoenix, not just because she was our first group 1 winner in Australia but also down to the fact she is named after a dearly departed friend of one of our colleagues. We also enjoyed the tales and videos of her mischievous behavior around the yard.
"I would like to thank Ciaron, David, and all the team for the fantastic job they did in guiding her through a truly exceptional career and to all the jockeys who gave her such good rides. We have a lot of special memories to reflect on."