Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Friday August 9

There was not a lot of love for Just Like Gaby in the betting ring when she made her debut down the 1000m Flemington straight on July 20. Still, there was enough to like about her fighting fourth behind the undefeated First Settler to suggest she is a leading chance in Saturday’s Dominant Hcp at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Pierata has drawn the outside barrier in the 1000m scamper. Hopefully, she will take a similar liking to the track as her dam, Loving Gaby.

Advertisement

In three undefeated starts at Moonee Valley, Loving Gaby scaled the heights in the Manikato Stakes and William Reid Stakes and defeated Exilerates in the Group III Scarborough Stakes.

Bred by Kia Ora Stud and Alan Bell, Loving Gaby came from the sixth crop of I Am Invincible and was a start from day one, defeating her stablemate Bella Rosa in the Group III Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield.

Bella Rosa was fresh off defeating Lankan Star in the Group III Ottawa Stakes, and Lankan Star defeated all bar Lyre in the Blue Diamond with Loving Gaby in sixth after being pinballed down the length of the straight.

Sent to Sydney for the 2yo Triple Crown, Loving Gaby clocked in Golden Slipper on a heavy track, second to Microphone in the Sires’ Produce (1400m), and second to Castelvecchio in the Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, the last time she was asked to travel further than 1200m.

In addition to victories in the Manikato Stakes, William Reid Stakes and Scarborough Stakes, the daughter of I Am Invincible finished second to Nature Strip in the VRC Classic, to Bivouac in the Newmarket Handicap, and was third to Gytrash and Redzel in the Lightning Stakes.

Loving Gaby loved Moonee Valley (image Racing Photos)

A $500,000 purchase for Phoenix Thoroughbreds from the Kia Ora Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Loving Gaby retired with a record of four wins, five seconds, and a third from 13 starts with earnings of $2,281,250.

Following her excellent juvenile season, it was little wonder there was great excitement when Lving Gaby’s dam Maastricht took centre stage at the 2019 Inglis Chairman’s Sale.

Carrying a sister to Loving Gabby, the daughter of Mastercraftsman (IRE) was hammered down to Coolmore/ James Bester Bloodstock for a sales-topping $2,250,000.

Maastricht was an acclomished racemare in her own right.

A $220,000 Karaka yearling, she was the most expensive yearling from the first crop of her 4-time Group 1 winning sire, a price no doubt helped through the deeds of her half-sister, the Group 1 SAJC Goodwood Handicap winner Velocitea.

Trained by Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes, Maastricht won her first two starts before finishing second to Fontein Ruby in the Group II Edward Manifold Stakes and to Set Square in the Listed Ethereal Stakes. She would later be placed in the Group II Alister Clark Stakes and Group III Adrian Knox Stakes.

Just Like Gaby an $800,000 Magic Millions yearling

 Segenhoe Stud consigned Just Like Gaby to the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Ciaron Maher Bloodstock/Kevin Kelly had the final say at $800,000.

That made her the most expensive yearling from the first crop of Pierro’s outstanding son Pierata, who now stands at Yulong after beginning his career at Aquis.

Kennewell Racing/Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) shelled out $400,000 for Loving Gaby’s Snitzel filly at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

After slipping in 2022, Loving Gaby made another visit to Snitzel last spring. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.
Zoustar 5YO Showing Promise
Promising gelding Have A Crack retained his unbeaten New Zealand record with a gritty performance to take out the Rich Hill Stud (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Loving Gaby First Foal Wins by Daylight
The Champion Australian 3YO Filly of 2019/2020, Loving Gaby is on the board with her first winner after Pierata filly Just Like Gaby opened up to win by daylight at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Catch Me If You Can Tactics Sees Changingoftheguard Break Aussie Duck
Having not won since June 2024 at Group 2 level at Ascot, a front running ride by James McDonald aboard the Kris Lees trained Changingoftheguard (IRE) saw the son of Galileo win the $200,000 Listed ATC City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m).
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Connection with Impressive St Mark’s Basilica Debut Winner
2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) is at Coolmore Australia this spring and had an impressive debut winner at Ascot overnight with El Vamos powering clear of her rivals to win as she pleased.
Exciting Stakes-Winner for Yes Yes Yes
Relocated to Gooree Park Stud this year, Everest hero Yes Yes Yes produced an exciting stakes-winner in New Zealand on Saturday with promising three year-old Affirmative Action taking out the $100,000 Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at his second race start.