World’s Highest Rated Mare Set To Make History at National

Media Release - Monday April 29

Champion sprinter Imperatriz, currently rated the world’s best mare on the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, will be offered at next month’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast.

Advertisement

10 time G1 winner Imperatriz is a superstar - image Grant Courtney

The most globally recognised mare ever offered at public auction in the Southern Hemisphere, Imperatriz will present the rarest of opportunities when she goes under the hammer on Tuesday, 28 May.

A winner of 10 Group Ones among 19 wins from just 27 lifetime starts, the daughter of champion sire I Am Invincible amassed almost $7 million in prizemoney during an incredible racetrack career. Six of her other wins came at Group level.

During the 2023 calendar year Imperatriz won six Group One races – more than any other horse globally. 

She 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.

Recently retired after yet another stunning Autumn campaign, Imperatriz will remain at Te Akau Stud in New Zealand, while her sales process will take place at the Southern Hemisphere’s leading breeding stock auction in Queensland.

Imperatriz has taken her owners on the ride of a lifetime - image Grant Courtney

It seems fitting the next chapter of the remarkable Imperatriz story would be written from the same sales complex as she was presented as a yearling in 2020.

Te Akau’s David Ellis took a shine to the daughter of I Am Invincible and he went to $360,000 to secure her at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft. 

“There is no doubt Imperatriz will attract global interest and will be the headline act of the auction calendar internationally. Currently rated the world's best mare, her outstanding achievements speak volumes about her exceptional talent and tenacity on the track," said Te Akau Principal David Ellis CNZM. 

“She won more Group One races than any other horse world-wide in 2023, solidifying her status as one of the greatest race mares of recent decades.”
   
“Imperatriz will go under the hammer where her fairytale career began. I remember when I first inspected her in the Bhima Thoroughbreds' draft. I was instantly taken with her, so in many ways, this is a fitting finale to a stellar career.  There is no doubt that she is a rare and valuable gem," Ellis concluded.

Imperatriz - thanks for the memories - image Grant Courtney

The news of Imperatriz’s upcoming offer at public auction will give buyers from across the world an opportunity to secure a true superstar of the turf.

“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,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch 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 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 racemare!”

“Importantly nine 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,” Bowditch added. “She was an unbeaten two-year-old who just got better and better.”

Supplementary entries for the National Broodmare Sale are still open and any enquiries should be directed to a member of the Magic Millions Bloodstock Department. 

IMPERATRIZ’S GROUP ONE VICTORIES

2022 WRC Levin Classic (1600m) defeating On the Bubbles & I Wish I Win
2022 Waikato RC NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stks (1600m) by 5 lengths
2023 Waikato RC Railway Stks (1200m) on a good track
2023 Waikato Sprint (1400m) by 4.5 lengths on a good track
2023 MVRC William Reid Stks (1200m) defeating Bella Nipotina & Roch ’n’ Horse
2023 MVRC AJ Moir Stks (1000m) in track record time
2023 MVRC Manikato Stks (1200m) by 3.3 lengths
2023 VRC Champions Sprint (1200m) defeating Buenos Noches & In Secret
2024 VRC Lightning Stks (1000m) defeating Private Eye & Espiona
2024 MVRC William Reid Stks (1200m) on a heavy track

Advertisment
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
We had three heats for 2YO’s run at Warwick Farm on Friday morning over 815m with winners by Farnan, Ole Kirk and Kia Ora Stud’s first season sire Captivant, while Stay Inside had an impressive trial winner at Murray Bridge.
2YO Stakes Racing – Sale Mail
Three stakes races for new season juveniles add plenty of interest to a stellar day of racing this Saturday in Sydney and Melbourne, so let’s take a look at the Sale Mail for these races.
Kiwi Sires a Recipe for NZB Ready to Run Sale Success
Much of the NZB Ready to Run Sale’s extraordinary success has been underpinned by the stallions that have stood in New Zealand in recent decades.
Four Winners for Dennis
Local trainer Robert Dennis won half of the eight-race card at Ascot Park on Friday, culminating with a special win by Sir Sterling in the Vale Tony Dennis (1400m).
Who Was Flight?
A G1 race since 1984, the Flight Stakes is a race won by special fillies - often the ones who go on to do extraordinary things on the track against all comers as older mares and that's as it should be as Hall Of Fame legend Flight exemplified that style of thoroughbred.
Recent success highlights Inglis Digital October (Early) Sale
A range of exciting racing and breeding prospects – as well as a number of in-form racehorses and shares in Stakes winners – headline the Inglis Digital October (Early) Online Sale.
Captivant Colt Shines at Warwick Farm Trials
Captivant’s burgeoning reputation for producing precocious 2YOs took another leap forward at today’s Warwick Farm trials, with Courthezon powering to victory in Heat 10.
New Stakes-Winner for Zoustar
The $150,000 Listed Hannan’s Handicap (1400m) provided reigning champion sire Zoustar with a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding Multinational led for home and could not be caught.
Mogumber Park hoists wet sail with Marine One
This time last year, the first foals by Mogumber Park stallion Marine One were widely regarded as some of the best types on the ground in Western Australia.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Darley Flight Stakes
The prestigious Darley Princess Series reaches its crescendo this week with the 77th running of the $750,000 G1 ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) over Royal Randwick's famous mile.