News

Gaby proves too strong in Manikato

25th Oct 2019

The Inglis Easter star Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) gave Phoenix Thoroughbreds their first Australian G1 victory in tonight’s Manikato Stakes at The Valley.

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Loving Gaby stalked the speed before producing her customary explosive turn of foot at the top of the straight and proved too strong for a quality field of sprinters.

The 3YO filly – who finished fourth in the Golden Slipper before being narrowly beaten into second placing in both the G1 Inglis Sires and G1 Champagne Stakes as a 2YO - carried just 51kg for jockey Craig Williams and broke through for a deserved top-level success.

The win – her third from just eight starts – takes Loving Gaby’s career prizemoney to $1.3m.

She was initially discovered by Dermot Farrington at the inaugural Easter Yearling Sale at Riverside Stables last year.

Farrington recommended Amer Abdulaziz of Phoenix purchase the filly – with Maher’s approval - which he did for $500,000 from the draft of Ananda Krishnan’s Kia Ora Stud, who co-bred the filly with Alan Bell.

Loving Gaby became the 37th G1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018, more than double our nearest competitor.

Moments after tonight’s win, Maher recalled seeing the filly at the Easter Sale for the first time.

“She was a really big strong filly, really tall, abnormally tall but Dermot really liked her and he alerted me to her so I went and looked at her and then I really liked her too,’’ Maher said.

“This is huge for Amer and Phoenix. They put a lot in worldwide, a lot of money and a lot of passion.

“They’ve got a good team and it’s great to be able to train for them.’’

Loving Gaby’s dam Maastricht was the sale-topper at this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale, selling to James Bester and Coolmore for $2,250,000.

It made her the most expensive pregnant mare sold at public auction in 2019.

Loving Gaby’s win capped another successful night for Inglis graduates following the earlier success of Bella Vella (Commands), another winner to have come through the Inglis Digital Online Auctions platform.

The Will Clarken-trained Bella Vella was a $22,500 buy in the April Online Auction.

The current online auction opened today, with the final countdown of bidding to begin from 3pm next Wednesday (October 30).

To view the October (late) online catalogue or to register to bid, CLICK HERE.