Vinery Stud topped the Magic Millions August Virtual Sale with Group 1 winning sprinter Marabi making $2.4million in foal to Champion sire Zoustar.

Marabi was offered as agent for owner-breeder Greg Perry and was purchased by Arrowfield Stud at Tuesday’s inaugural Virtual Sale.  “We are delighted and feel privileged to have the opportunity to acquire such a high-quality mare,” Arrowfield’s Jon Freyer said.  “She was brilliantly fast and hails from a wonderful family.  We followed her career closely and were always so impressed by her stunning turn of foot.”

Marabi (8m I Am Invincible – Nakaaya by Tiger Hill) is a half-sister to Perry’s VRC Oaks (Gr.1, 2500m) winner Aristia (Lonhro) and was an elite mare in her own right in a 10-start career topped by an explosive victory in the MRC Oakleigh Plate (Gr.1, 1100m).

“She’s so special,” trainer Ciaron Maher said after she dashed away with Caulfield’s premier Group 1 Sprint in 2022.  “Greg is very patient and very easy to train for so it’s great for him to be rewarded with a horse like Marabi.  He puts a lot into breeding and just loves his racing.”

Perry operates under the Greenwich Stud banner and had tapped into the family when purchasing Nakaaya as a yearling for $60,000 at the 2008 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.  Sent to Mick Price, she won the 2011 MVRC Sunline Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m) at Moonee Valley to continue a black-type bottom-line going back to 1977 VATC One Thousand Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) winner Princess Talaria (Dignitas).

“I’ve been lucky enough to have raced some good ones but nothing as gifted as Marabi,” Perry claimed .  “I know I’m biased but she was exceptional.  She did a wonderful job winning her first seven starts with natural, sustained speed and was good enough to put a space on a top-class field in the Oakleigh Plate.

“I have cut back my commitment to breeding but still have a number of mares at home that I am mating this season including her half-sister.”  Aristia has a 2yo Zoustar colt and a yearling Maurice filly but missed to I Am Invincible last year.

Vinery Stud’s Bloodstock Manager Adam White said the mating with Zoustar is perfect for Marabi.  “She should have a lovely first foal.  You can see why she was such a fast mare with great strength through the shoulder and hind-quarter.  She’s correct and has a lovely head with ample quality all over.”

Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said Marabi was one of the finest young pregnant mares to be offered to the market this year. “I think she’s worth every cent of $2.4million.  She’s by an outstanding stallion and was an elite mare on the racetrack.  She’s in foal to Zoustar and we thank Greg Perry for allowing us the opportunity to sell her.  Hopefully, we’re offering Marabi’s progeny for many years to come.”