It will be full-circle for 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz when she is offered at Magic Millions’ National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast next month.
By champion sire I Am Invincible, the Australian-bred Imperatriz was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $360,000 at the 2020 Gold Coast yearling sales and went on to win nearly $7 million in stakes from her 19 wins and four placings from 27 starts.
“We sought proposals for the sale from the major Australasian thoroughbred sale companies, and she returns to where her fairytale career began,” Ellis said.
“There is no doubt Imperatriz will be the headline act on the thoroughbred auction calendar internationally.
“She is the most globally recognised mare ever offered at public auction in the Southern Hemisphere. Her outstanding achievements speak volumes about her exceptional talent and tenacity on the track.
“Imperatriz won more Group One races than any other horse worldwide in 2023, solidifying her status as one of the greatest race mares of recent times. She is a rare and valuable gem who will be highly sought after.”
Imperatriz is the highest rated mare (by Racing Post Rating) to be offered at public auction – higher than the international sales ring sensations Lady Aurelia, Alcohol Free, Gamine and Monomoy Girl.
In unique circumstances, Imperatriz will remain safely in her paddock at Te Akau Stud while her sale is conducted on site virtually, with bidding online and at the venue.
Imperatriz won 10 Group One races in her star-studded career, six of those in Australia, along with four Group Two and two Group Three titles. She broke The Valley track record in the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) and smashed that record at her next start in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
Imperatriz is also the only horse to have won the Group One Sprint Triple Crown at The Valley and uniquely achieved this in both the calendar year and again this season.
Awarded the titles of New Zealand’s Champion 3YO of the Year and Champion Sprinter/Miler of the Year at four, Imperatriz uniquely finds herself in the conversation of 2023/24 Horse of the Year honours on both sides of the Tasman.
Magic Millions’ Managing Director Barry Bowditch said he is excited to be able to offer such a quality mare to the public next month.
“It is a huge honour for our company to be able to present Imperatriz as an elite breeding prospect during the Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale,” he said.
““Since selling Imperatriz in 2020 we have proudly watched on and celebrated as she established herself as one of the greatest sprinters in the world.
“It is incredibly rare that a mare of her calibre is offered at public auction and we can’t thank David, Karyn (Fenton-Ellis, Te Akau Racing director) and Imperatriz’s connections enough for entrusting us with her journey to the breeding barn.
“A 10-time Group One winner during an electrifying career, Imperatriz established herself as the world’s finest sprinter and regularly broke track records – she was an elite racehorse and is currently rated as the world’s best race mare.
“Importantly eight of her 10 Group One wins came against all sexes – time after time she met and defeated the best on both sides of the Tasman.
“She was an unbeaten two-year-old who just got better and better.”
Ellis said Imperatriz has given Te Akau Racing and her syndicate members so many highlights and they are looking forward to watching her step into her new role as a broodmare.
“Her remarkable journey has inspired fans across the racing world and we could not be more proud of this beautiful, kind mare as her next chapter begins,” he said. “It has been an honour to have her race in the Te Akau tangerine.”