News

Gaby shows her love for The Valley with another G1 win

20th Mar 2020

Outstanding 3YO Easter filly Loving Gaby scored a second career G1 and led in an Inglis graduates quinella when dominating the William Reid Stakes at The Valley.

Ridden to perfection by Craig Williams, Loving Gaby stalked the leader and race favourite Bivouac before showing a superior turn of foot on the turn to dash away for a commanding victory.

Bred by Alan Bell and Kia Ora Stud, Loving Gaby defeated fellow Inglis graduate Gytrash, who earlier this autumn won the G1 Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington.

Tonight's was her third career win at The Valley from as many starts for Loving Gaby.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Loving Gaby is one of 43 G1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018 - more than double our nearest competitor - and one of 15 individual G1 winners from the Easter Yearling Sale in the same period.

The superstar filly (pictured), who has now won four of her 12 career starts with six minor placings for almost $2.3m in prizemoney, is a $500,000 Easter Yearling Sale buy for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, from the Kia Ora Stud draft.

Winning co-trainer Maher hoped there was more G1 glory ahead for Loving Gaby this campaign.

“I thought the key to the race was the start,’’ Maher said.

“Craig had to be quite forceful to get her into that position and I think that proved the difference.

“As a 2YO she was a very good horse who was really tough and you could train her to any trip really but when she came back as a 3YO she was very sharp and had learnt how to be a racehorse.

“The TJ [Smith] has always been the plan. She loves racing and once she gets to her third and fourth run in her prep she really trains on so if she pulls up well, we’ll definitely look at that.’’

The $2.5m G1 TJ Smith Stakes will be run at Randwick on Day 1 of The Championships, Saturday April 4.

Loving Gaby’s Sebring half sister (ex Maastricht) is being offered as lot 49 at next month’s Australian Easter Yearling Sale, again by Kia Ora Stud.

To view the Easter catalogue, CLICK HERE.

Loving Gaby’s dam Maastricht was the sale-topper at last year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale, selling to James Bester and Coolmore for $2,250,000 having been offered on behalf of owners Alan Bell and Ananda Krishnan.

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

Loving Gaby’s William Reid success capped off a successful night for Inglis graduates after the talented 2YO colt Larimer Street (Brazen Beau) scored a deserved breakthrough win in the Listed Valley Pearl.

In his three career starts prior to tonight Larimer Street had finished in the placings on each occasion – twice at Stakes level – including an unlucky third in the $2m Inglis Millennium at Warwick Farm last month.

Bred by Des Pope and Renkie Racing Syndicate, Larimer Street is a $450,000 Premier Yearling Sale buy for Mark Pilkington and his trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, from the Blue Gum Farm draft.

And earlier today the 8YO marvel Spunlago (Hard Spun) scored a first career Stakes win when successful in the Listed Albury Cup.

Trained by Ron Stubbs, today’s victory was a 13th career win for Spunlago, who was offered by Eliza Park Stud at the 2013 Classic Yearling Sale.