Qatar Racing Acquire Mabs Cross, To Be Bred to Zoustar

[Wandering Eyes]

Mabs Cross (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}–Miss Meggy {GB}, by Pivotal {GB}), the 2018 G1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner who was recently led out unsold at 1.1-million gns at the Tattersalls November, has been acquired by Sheikh Fahad’s Qatar Racing after reaching an agreement with the mare’s owner/breeders David and Emma Armstrong. The 5-year-old will be bred to Zoustar (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}), who will shuttle from Widden Stud to stand the 2020 Northern Hemisphere breeding season at Tweenhills Stud.

“It’s really thrilling to acquire a mare of Mabs Cross’s quality, and her purchase is another example of the complete faith we have in the Australian phenomenon that is Zoustar,” said Tweenhills owner David Redvers. “She adds to our exciting portfolio of high-class racemares and further demonstrates the commitment Sheikh Fahad and his brothers have to breeding top-class Thoroughbreds.”

A three-time winner overall at group level, including back-to-back renewals of the G3 Palace House S. at Newmarket, Mabs Cross covered herself in glory when third to Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) and Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the 2018 G1 King’s Stand S. and when a nose second to Alpha Delphini (GB) (Captain Gerrard {Ire}) in last year’s G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. She was named Sprinter of the Year at the 2018 Cartier Awards and was the recipient of the Outstanding Sprinter Award at the Racehorse Owners Association Awards.

Bred by the Armstrongs’ Highfield Farm LLP, Mabs Cross stakes-winning dam is also responsible for US Grade III winner Charlie Em (GB) (Kheleyf). Other potential broodmares bought recently with the specific intention of visiting Zoustar in the future include this year’s stakes-winning juveniles Good Vibes (GB) (Due Diligence) and Orlaith (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Both will race on in 2020 with Good Vibes set to become the first horse Qatar Racing has had with Mabs Cross’s trainer Michael Dods.

Zoustar will cover mares at a fee of £30,000 at Tweenhills.

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