Imperatriz wins G1 Lightning in Epic Thriller

Tara Madgwick - Saturday February 17

An unimpressive trial created a touch of uncertainty around glamour I Am Invincible mare Imperatriz ahead of her first-up run in Saturday’s $1 million Group I Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington, but the Te Akau superstar wonder-mare blew all those doubts away and carried on her winning way.

Imperatriz digs deep to win the G1 Lightning - image Grant Courtney

The Lightning was the sixth major Melbourne sprint win in succession for Imperatriz, who won the Group I William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last March and then put together a perfect spring campaign with victories in the Group II McEwen Stakes (1000m), Group I Moir Stakes (1000m), Group I Manikato Stakes (1200m) and Group I Champions Sprint (1200m).

The Lightning was the 18th win overall in a 24-start career for the extraordinary galloper, who has won nine times at Group One level between 1000m and 1600m. The daughter of I Am Invincible was bought by David Ellis for $360,000 as a yearling at Magic Millions in 2020, and she has now banked more than $5.9 million for the Te Akau Empress Syndicate.

Advertisement

Those achievements have ensured that the class of the five-year-old could never be in doubt, but a fifth placing in an 800m trial at Cranbourne on February 5 had some questioning whether she was at the peak of her powers as she prepared to launch a new campaign in the Lightning. Her performance on Saturday provided an emphatic response.

Ridden positively by Opie Bosson, Imperatriz went forward and took up a position at the head of the field. She was joined by the A$10 million earner Private Eye, and the pair matched motors most of the way along Flemington’s famous Straight Six.

There was a moment in the straight where Private Eye appeared to be going the better of the pair, but Bosson went to work on Imperatriz and she lifted and edged ahead. She reached the finish line a head in front of Private Eye, clocking 57.54 seconds for the 1000m.

Imperatriz stares down Private Eye, there is a reason she has won nine G1 races and he has won one - image Grant Courtney

“She was always travelling beautifully,” Bosson said. “The other horse was creeping up and creeping up, but once I went for her, she found that kick that she always has.

“There was a bit of pressure today because of that trial, but Mark (Walker, trainer) has been over here and he told me she’s 100 percent. When he says that, he’s usually right.”

Walker has fielded plenty of questions about that Cranbourne trial over the last fortnight, and he was pleased that Imperatriz did the talking with her performance on Saturday.

“It is a relief,” he said. “Good horses probably save their best for raceday. It was a lacklustre trial, it really was, but we were very happy with the mare when we galloped her on Monday.

“It was just a gun ride by Opie today. It was a tactical affair and he used the initiative.

“This mare is just a gem, really, to do what she did in the spring and then come back and win like that first-up.

“Full credit to the second horse. He’s a really good horse and he stuck it to her today. I think you saw two really good horses fighting out an exciting finish.”

Job done - I can relax - image Grant Courtney

Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, Imperatriz is another nod to the success of the breeding operation, which was managed by Bruce Sherwin since it was established in 2008 and in addition to Imperatriz has produced the likes of Group One winners Glint Of Hope, More Than Sacred and First Seal.

Economic pressures stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic forced Dato Yap to sacrifice his ‘hobby’ thoroughbred breeding operation to secure his core businesses throughout Asia. Raffles Farm, on the outskirts of Cambridge, was sold in 2022, along with almost the entirety of Dato Yap’s Australasian bloodstock portfolio.

Imperatriz is the best of two winners from Berimbau, a Group II placed half-sister by Shamardal (USA) to stakes-winner Vinco, who is also by Imperatriz’s sire I Am invincible.

The family also features Group winners Royal Courtship and Poor Judge as well as stakes-winner Proud Player.

Berimbau has a yearling colt by Capitalist that made $200,000 at Magic Millions this year for Bhima Thoroughbreds when bought by Lofty Thoroughbred Group/AGR Racing. She was sold last year in foal again to I Am Invincible for $1.8million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale to Yulong and has since produced a full brother to Imperatriz.

Berimbau was covered last spring by the young Yulong stallion Pierata.

Imperatriz is the most successful Group I winner for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible, who holds a commanding lead on the Australian General Sires List by earnings and stakes-winners. - with contribution from NZ Racing 

Advertisment

Race Result - Black Caviar Lightning Gr1 1000m

Flemington Track: Good(3) Time: 0:57.54
1
Imperatriz
- 5m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Berimbau (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: O P Bosson 56.5
I Am Invincible
2
0.2
Private Eye
- 6g Al Maher (AUS) x Confidential Queen (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: B Shinn 58.5
Inglis May (Late) Online Sale $19,000
Seller: Gregory Mcfarlane
Buyer: Ko Thoroughbred Racing
MM Adelaide Yearling Sale $16,000
Seller: Goodwood Farm, Murrurundi, NSW
Buyer: Gregory McFarlane Racing
3
0.7
Espiona
- 5m Extreme Choice (AUS) x Dahooil (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M J Dee 56.5
4
0.9
Bella Nipotina
- 6m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Bella Orfana (AUS) (Star Witness (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Craig Williams 56.5
5
2.4
Rich Fortune
- 4m Rich Enuff (AUS) x Nkwazi's Daughter (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: Jerome Hunter Rdr: M Zahra 56.5
6
2.5
Cylinder
- 3c Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Circular (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Damian Lane 55.5
7
4.3
The Astrologist
- 7g Zoustar (AUS) x Aquada (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: L Currie 58.5
8
4.4
I Am Unstoppable
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Satin Slipper (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: L Kennewell & L Yeomans Rdr: Jamie Kah 55.5
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
I Am Invincible Mare Crowned Champion Australian Sprinter
New Zealand Horse of the Year Imperatriz had a near perfect season in Australia last term and was duly crowned Champion Sprinter at the Australian Horse of the Year Awards in Adelaide on Tuesday.
She’s Invincible! Imperatriz Wins Tenth G1 in William Reid
With a big weight advantage Cylinder was able to win the G1 VRC Newmarket Handicap at the expense of mighty I Am Invincible mare Imperatriz, but he was not a factor when she added a 10th Group One victory to her collection with another supreme performance in Saturday’s $1 million Group I MVRC William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Te Akau Chase Back to Back G1 William Reid with Imperatriz
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand at The Valley on Saturday, with their seven-strong charge being led by their sprinting sensation Imperatriz, who will attempt to defend her crown in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m).
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Imperatriz Crowned NZ Horse of the Year
Te Akau Racing collected top honours at the 2024 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards on Sunday evening, which was headlined by Imperatriz, who was named Horse of the Year, while the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson partnership were Trainer of the Year.