Bella Now Second Highest Ever Australian Stakes Earner

Tara Madgwick - Saturday November 2

Seven year-old Pride of Dubai mare Bella Nipotina bounced out of her Everest win two weeks ago to claim another lucrative prize when scoring a scintillating victory in the $3million ATC Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Bella Nipotina wins again! - image Steve Hart

The Ciaron Maher trained mare has been in top form this year and with a huge purse on offer at Rosehill and a bonus for the Everest winner to stay in Sydney for this race, Bella Nipotina was a popular drawcard and duly delivered.

Advertisement

With a lightning fast tempo in front set by Coal Crusher and I Am Me, Bella Nipotina was allowed to cruise along in the slipstream and when Craig Williams set her alight she skipped away to win by two lengths in near track record time with Sunshine in Paris a gallant second.

An $80,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Lindsay Park Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Mt Hallowell Stud from the Rosemont stud draft, Bella Nipotina was bred by Michael Christian and partners at Longwood Thoroughbred Farm and they retain a share in her ownership.

A four time Group I winner, Bella Nipotina has the impressive record of 11 wins and 25 placings from 56 starts with earnings topping $22million which catapults her into second place behind only Winx on the honour roll of Australia’s highest stakes earners.


 

Bella Nipotina is a beauty! - image Steve Hart

Bella Nipotina is the best of two winners from Bella Orfana, a placed sibling by Star Witness to Group winners Hallowell Belle and Fuddle Dee Duddle (dam of Group III winner Brereton)  from the family of Group I Caulfield Guineas winner In Top Swing.

Longwood Thoroughbred Farm sadly lost Bella Orfana earlier this year and her last foal is a yearling filly by Trapeze Artist.

Standing at Coolmore at a fee of $22,000, Pride of Dubai has sired three Group I winners this season with Bella Nipotina standing alongside Pride of Jenni and Deny Knowledge (IRE).

Advertisment

Race Result - Russell Balding Stakes 1300m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:14.96
1
Bella Nipotina
- 7m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Bella Orfana (AUS) (Star Witness (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Craig Williams 56.5
2
1.8
Sunshine In Paris
- 5m Invader (AUS) x Zenaida (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: Tommy Berry 56.5
3
3
Lady Laguna
- 5m Overshare (AUS) x Catalina De Lago (NZ) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: Tyler Schiller 56.5
4
3.7
Mazu
- 6g Maurice (JPN) x Chatelaine (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: N Rawiller 56.5
5
3.8
Private Eye
- 7g Al Maher (AUS) x Confidential Queen (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: J Ford 57.5
6
4.9
King Of Sparta
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Octavia (AUS) (Holy Roman Emperor (IRE))
Tnr: Peter Snowden Rdr: J Moreira 57.5
7
5.4
Flying Crazy
- 6g Flying Artie (AUS) x Forever Crazy (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Reece Jones 56
8
6.2
Phearson
- 7g Exosphere (AUS) x Chateau D'yquem (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: Tom Sherry 56.5
9
6.4
I Am Me
- 6m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Mefnooda (AUS) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Zac Lloyd 55.5
10
14.2
Rocketing By
- 7g So You Think (NZ) x Across The Moon (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: David Pfieffer Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
11
16.8
Coal Crusher
- 7g Turffontein (AUS) x Media Academy (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: C Schofield 56
More Reading...
2026 NZB KARAKA YEARLING SALE PREVIEW – Sky Thoroughbred Central this Monday
Caroline Searcy’s extensive preview of the Centenary New Zealand National Sale will premiere on Sky Thoroughbred Central Monday night at 7.30pm AEDST. This is a must watch chance to see over ten percent of the Book 1 catalogue and a some select Book 2 yearlings as well, ahead of sale ground inspections this week and the Sale’s commencement on Sunday January 25.
Via Sistina Retired - Dubawi Her First Mating
Chris Waller has announced the retirement of Champion mare Via Sistina after returning for her autumn campaign not “her normal highly energetic self”.
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 17
Here is the full list of 111 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Torque To Be Sure Survives Protest For 3YO Guineas Win
Torque To Be Sure survived a protest in the stewards’ room to shrug his maiden tag on the biggest stage with a win in the $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) on Saturday.
Geese That Lay Golden Eggs – What’s in the Future?
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sale was highlighted by 15 yearlings that sold for $1million or more which was two more than last year when just 13 hit the magic mark, but still considerably down on 2024 which saw 23 millionaires sold following on from 20 in 2023.
Ones to Watch – Rosehill
In years to come when racing trivia nights are held, a question will be - what was the horse champion jockey Jett Newman rode in her first metropolitan race win?  And the answer is our One to Watch.
Mulcaster Finds First Winner for Portland Sky
A Group I winning son of champion sire Deep Field, Widden Stud’s Portland Sky put his first winner on the board at Ascot on Saturday with a dominant debut victory for talented filly Daryte, who was purchased by Guy Mulcaster.
King of Roseau Brings Full Circle Moment for Capitalist and Snowden
A decade after Peter Snowden won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Capitalist, the champion trainer saddled up the stallion’s son King Of Roseau to win the $2 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Hawker Hall Wins Last on Magic Day
James McDonald made the most of a late pick-up ride on Hawker Hall when he let the gelding rip from a wide barrier to run his rivals ragged in the $250,000 Magic Millions Class 6 Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Birchley Back to NZ for More Millions
Queensland trainer Liam Birchley is no stranger to success in the richest two-year-old race in New Zealand, the $1million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), and he is hoping to replicate the winning feeling next weekend as he prepares to line-up a pair of quality fillies in the Ellerslie dash for cash.