PHOENIX & AQUIS PARTNER ON €1.1MILLION FILLY

Phoenix Thoroughbreds partnered with Aquis Farm to purchase a €1.1million Galileo filly on day one of Goffs Orby Sale.

The two growing powerhouses of the thoroughbred industry have a strong association through owning runners together in Australia and also teamed up to secure the services of emerging sire Invader. This, however, is the first time they have teamed up to buy bloodstock in Europe.

The filly, listed as lot 213, is a full sister to Irish Derby hero Sovereign and is out of Group 3 winning mare Devoted To You. She can also number plenty of black-types winners as part of her family. With that attractive pedigree, it’s no surprise that both Phoenix and Aquis were keen to buy her.

Lot 213 – Galileo filly ex Devoted To Yo

“You don’t find these broodmares on the market that often,” said Phoenix Thoroughbreds CEO Amer Abdulaziz. “We’re very happy to buy the filly today, and the team did a wonderful job in their research on her.”

Explaining more about the reasons for strengthing their relationship with Aquis, Phoenix President Tom Ludt added:

“We do a lot of business with Aquis in Australia. We’re trying to build up a nice band of broodmares, we bought a couple of really nice Galileos last year, and we thought she was the one this year. We loved her, it turned out Aquis loved her too, so we partnered on her. She’s beautiful, has the page, has everything we want. All we have to do now is to teach her how to race.”

Despite the partnership having strong roots in Australia, Ludt was quick to dismiss any talk this latest addition would go for a racing career “down under” although added a decision on who will oversee her development is yet to be made:

“The plan will be to keep her here,” said Ludt. “Like us, Aquis are growing and asked us to go in on her, but we’ll keep her here. We try not to commit to trainers too quick because we want to let her grow-up and figure out what she’s like. We then try to place them based on their style.”

The purchase of the Galileo filly was the highlight on what turned into a pretty busy day for Phoenix Thoroughbreds. The innovative investment fund were the successful bidders on four Lots starting with an Australia colt from the family of Group One winner Deauville. The group also moved to buy a Kodiac colt listed as Lot 35. Out of Listed-placed mare Soul Searcher, he is related to Group One winner Pharaoh’s Delight as well as US millionaire and top-class scorer Rocks. Another Galileo progeny was also picked up, this time a colt out winning mare Convocate and a half-sibling to two winners.

Phoenix Ladies can also count the day as a success as the all-female group added a lovely looking type to their roster. Lot 230 is a Gleneagles filly from the family of Gold Cup winner Estimate and champion three-year-old Ebadiyla. She is also a half-sister to two winners including Group Three success story Edelmira.