Loving Gaby retires to Phoenix broodmare band, no stallion chosen as yet
Dual Group 1 winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) has been retired after her campaign geared towards the $15 million The Everest (1200m) was thwarted due to injury, with owners Phoenix Thoroughbreds said to add the prized filly to their burgeoning broodmare band.
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace announced on Twitter yesterday that Loving Gaby had been ruled out of the spring carnival due to “heat and inflammation to her near fore limb” and that, consequently, “a decision has been made to retire” the just-turned four-year-old.
“It is deeply disappointing for her owners Phoenix Thoroughbreds, the team at home and her fans,” the training partnership said in a statement. “She gave us all some great memories and we are looking forward to seeing her progeny on the track.”
Phoenix Thoroughbreds CEO Amer Abdulaziz Salman added: “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 favourite 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 behaviour 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 (of) the jockeys who gave her such good rides. We have a lot of special memories to reflect on.”
It is the latest blow after a horror month for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, with the operation reaffirming their commitment to Australian racing after withdrawing from the UK and France due to money laundering allegations aired in a New York court against Abdulaziz. The Bahraini native categorically denies the allegations.
While Loving Gaby may be missing from their spring cohort in Australia, the Phoenix team will still be represented by Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Farnan (Not A Single Doubt), Group 1 placegetter and potential stallion prospect Prague (Redoute’s Choice) and Group 3 victor Holyfield (I Am Invincible), among others.
For Loving Gaby, a trip to the breeding barn will occur this spring, a year sooner than expected, with Phoenix set to announce their plans for her in the coming days.
I Am Invincible’s (Invincible Spirit) daughters are only just producing their first runners, with Danehill-line stallions – as expected – front and centre when it comes to chosen sires.
To date, nine stallions have had horses to race out of I Am Invincible mares: Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice) and Sizzling (Snitzel) have all produced winners, while Wandjina (Snitzel), Deep Field (Northern Meteor), Time For War (Snitzel), Hinchinbrook (Fastnet Rock), Rock Hero (Fastnet Rock) and Magnus (Flying Spur) all have had runners.
A number of stallions have been put forward as possible suitors for Loving Gaby with Newgate Farm’s Deep Field a strong early candidate, but Phoenix insists that a decision is yet to be made.
In time, it is likely that she will be one of the prized mares to visit Farnan when he retires to stand his first season at Kia Ora Stud, given Phoenix Thoroughbreds’ part-ownership of the colt with Kia Ora and Aquis Farm.