Davali Thoroughbred's picked up Marielle (Lonhro) for only $45,000 via the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, where she appealed on two fronts, both type and pedigree.
It has been a mixed bag early days for Marielle (Lonhro) and Davali Thoroughbreds with her Bivouac colt failing to sell as a yearling, but things are on the up with a lovely Zousain filly heading towards the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale next year, and a strong, mature looking Zousain colt born this spring for this well-bred daughter of Lonhro.
Gallery: Zousain x Marielle colt, born at Davali Thoroughbreds
The story behind Marielle
The Davali Thoroughbreds story with Marielle began at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, where the Lonhro mare was purchased for $45,000 as part of the Gainsborough Lodge dispersal.
“We picked her up at the Magic Millions broodmare sale for $45,000,” Hush said.
“After seeing her Vancouver colt sell for $320,000 at the Magic Millions, it gave us good confidence that the mare could leave a type, so that appealed, and the fact that she was a good-looking Lonhro mare and a half to I Am Invincible gave us confidence to have a go.”
Marielle | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
When asked about what kind of type the mare is, Hush said:
“The mare has a bit of presence. She is a Lonhro, and has that real Lonhro look about her, and she has a very pretty head.”
As for what drew them to purchase Marielle, Hush explained that it was a combination of pedigree and type that sealed the deal.
“It was definitely a bit of both. She has a strong pedigree and she is a nice type – she ticked both boxes.”
“It was definitely a bit of both. She (Marielle) has a strong pedigree and she is a nice type – she ticked both boxes.” - Alison Hush
How has Marielle done at stud for Davali?
It’s been a mixed start for Marielle at stud, but signs are certainly pointing in the right direction. Her Bivouac colt failed to sell as a yearling, yet the tide appears to be turning with a lovely Zousain filly heading towards the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale next year, and a strong, mature-looking Zousain colt born this spring out of the well-bred daughter of Lonhro.
Hush reflected that part of the reason they were able to secure Marielle for such good value was her somewhat inconsistent breeding record prior to joining the Davali broodmare band.
“She hadn’t had a lot of luck at stud before we bought her,” Hush said. “She’d missed a few times throughout her breeding career, so that probably worked in our favour when it came to buying her.”
Zousain | Standing at Widden Stud
The first foal Davali bred from Marielle was the Bivouac colt, and while things didn’t go to plan in the sale ring, he’s since found a new path - now named Southport and currently in training with Brad Widdup.
“He was a really immature type as a yearling and he didn’t make his reserve at Easter,” Hush explained. “We kept a share and he is with Brad Widdup and he isn’t too far away from trialling.”
The mare has since produced a “really nice” Zousain filly that will head to the Inglis Classic Sale next year, and that success prompted Davali to revisit the Widden-based sire.
“She then had a really nice filly by Zousain that is heading towards the Inglis Classic Sale next year, and on the back of her we decided to send her back to Zousain.”
A strong, powerful colt born this spring
When asked about the colt Marielle produced in late September, Hush commented:
“The colt she has produced is impressive, he definitely isn’t immature and is strong, he has a deep jowl, great hindquarter, good power and good bone. He is quite an impressive sort of colt.”
Marielle with her Zousain colt at foot | Born at Davali Thoroughbreds
On plans for this spring and where the mare may be heading next, Hush said:
“The mare hasn’t been served yet, but she has a booking to Cosmic Force. I really like that mating and think he is good value for a proven stallion.
“So let’s see how we go, but I am excited about both of her progeny by Zousain, and I like this mating, so let’s see how we go.”
