Phoenix Thoroughbreds’ Loving Gaby has scanned in foal to Group One-winning stallion Pierata, her owners announced today.
The Aquis stallion, also part-owned by Phoenix, covered the dual Group One winner shortly after she retired from racing. While trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the daughter of I Am Invincible amassed over $2million in prize money. The winner of the Manikato and William Reid Stakes, she placed a further five times at the top level while in 13 career starts she only finished outside of the places on three occasions.
With a stallion’s pedigree, All Aged Stakes winner Pierata is already proving popular with breeders during his first season at stud. Loving Gaby is just one of several high-profile and quality mares to have been booked to be covered by the son of Pierro.
Phoenix Thoroughbreds CEO Amer Abdulaziz said:
“We’re delighted that Loving Gaby is in foal to one of Australia’s most exciting stallions. It was an easy choice to send her to Pierata, whose pedigree and race record speaks for itself. Gaby gave us some memorable days on the track and we are very hopeful her legacy will continue as she embarks on her broodmare career. It’s also special we get to continue her story with our partners Aquis who I believe can look forward to a very prosperous future with Pierata.”
Loving Gaby is spending her retirement at Segenhoe’s Hunter Valley property, where she has already become a farm favourite.
Segenhoe’s General Manager Peter O’Brien added:
“It’s fantastic that Loving Gaby is in foal to such an exciting stallion. It’s always thrilling when you breed two Group One winners together and I’d be very hopeful their progeny will be popular.
“Gaby has settled in really well at Segenhoe. She’s a big, beautiful mare with a great temperament. I have every confidence she’ll produce a great foal.
“We adore Pierata as a stallion and are sending some of our own better mares to him. He will have a stellar book of mares and he will have every chance of being one of the country’s leading sires.”