New Zealand Derby winner Habibi has been sold to a United States buyer.
A winner of six of her nine races, Habibi was sold to Pennsylvania buyer George Strawbridge after finishing fourth in unsuitably heavy conditions in the Australian Oaks at Randwick last Saturday.
Her owner-breeders Peter and Heather Crofskey will keep a minority share in the filly for the rest of her racing career.
Trained by Donna and Dean Logan in Ruakaka, Habibi won her first five starts, two of which were Group Two contests, before beating subsequent Filly of the Year series winner Fix in the New Zealand Derby in March.
She had two starts in Sydney after that, running third in the Storm Queen Stakes before her fourth in heavy ground to Royal Descent in the Australian Oaks.
“I’ve been taken by Habibi for quite a long time and obviously not many fillies beat the colts in the Derby and that was really appealing to the new owner,” said New Zealand agent Phill Cataldo, who brokered the deal.
Strawbridge has raced international Group One winners including Tikkanen and With Anticipation, and has previously bought Black Mamba, Crossing The Line and Kessem Power from New Zealand.
Habibi will be trained by Graham Motion, trainer of Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom, and will be aimed at the Breeders’ Cup meeting later in the year.