A link to an influential figure in Arrowfield Stud’s rise to prominence in the Australian thoroughbred industry has added a nostalgic touch to the seven-figure sale of Oakleigh Plate winner Marabi.
Marabi became the latest $1 million-plus mare sold at auction in Australia this year when she fetched $2.4 million during the Magic Millions Virtual Sale on Tuesday.
Sold in foal to superstar stallion Zoustar, Marabi was consigned by Vinery Stud on behalf of her owner Greg Perry.
She is due to foal on September 8 and Arrowfield bloodstock manager Jon Freyer said landing the winning bid meant a lot to the stud on multiple levels.
Marabi is a descendant of Princess Talaria, an outstanding filly of her generation for renowned veterinarian Percy Sykes.
“There is a bit of symbolism for us because Marabi comes from a terrific family that was originally developed by Percy Sykes, who was a former director of Arrowfield,” Freyer told The Straight.
Sykes is immortalised in bronze, and his statue stands near the entrance to Arrowfield’s administration office on the famous Scone property in a tribute to the impact he left on the stud’s principal John Messara.
An out-and-out sprinter, Marabi, a daughter of champion sire I Am Invincible, won her first seven races in a sequence that carried her to victory in the 2022 Oakleigh Plate.
She defeated her Ciaron Maher-David Eustace stablemate Away Game in the Caulfield helter-skelter after racing outside the leader and holding on for a half-length win.
Marabi, a half-sister to VRC Oaks winner Aristia, was retired after finishing down the course in two comeback runs last year, finishing her career with seven wins from 10 starts and almost $1 million in prize money.
“She was a fabulous racemare, brilliantly fast with an outstanding turn of foot on her,” Freyer said.
“I went to see her last week and I was really impressed with her as a physical.”
Freyer conceded Arrowfield has been on the wrong side of the ledger this year in trying to secure high-end racemares as Yulong’s spending spree showed no signs of slowing.
He was relieved to finally get a result after revealing Arrowfield had missed out on $6.6 million mare Imperatriz and also Espiona who sold through the previous Magic Millions Virtual Sale for $4.15 million.
“It's a bit of a tough market to compete in in the present climate, isn't it? It depends a bit whether there's a few key players bidding or they're not bidding,” he said.
“Marabi has always been a mare that we held in high esteem throughout her racing career, and when there was an opportunity to buy her, we had to sort of pin our ears back and do our best.
“I think in relation to a lot of the mares that have gone through, it was a very fair price and we were happy to give it. We thought it was good business.”
Freyer said Marabi would foal down at Vinery before joining the Arrowfield broodmare band but a potential spring mating had not been decided.
“We are happy she is coming to us, we just haven't worked out what we're going to do with her this season as yet,” he said.
Marabi joins Celebrity Queen, Pippie and Booker as the three most recent female Oakleigh Plate winners to be sold.
But unlike Marabi, they were sold off the track with Celebrity Queen selling for $2.5 million, Pippie for $1.8 million and Booker for $1.6 million.
Freyer said Marabi was Arrowfield’s most significant broodmare purchase since paying $3.2 million for three-time Group 1 winner Arcadia Queen in 2021.
