Media Release - Imperatriz Plans Confirmed

WORLD’S HIGHEST RATED MARE - IMPERATRIZ TO SELL AT MAGIC MILLIONS

Te Akau Racing has today confirmed that its 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.

A mare of her calibre, boasting an incredible 10 Group 1 victories, is a rare gem in the world of racing, and her sale is set to make waves in the industry world-wide.

Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis CNZM commented:

“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 1 races than any other horse world-wide 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,” Ellis said.   

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.

“We sought proposals for the sale from the major Australasian thoroughbred sale companies, and she returns to where her fairytale career began,” continued Ellis, who purchased the phenomenally talented mare as a yearling for A$360,000 from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Magic Million’s Gold Coast yearling sale.

In unique circumstances, Imperatriz will remain safely in her paddock at Te Akau Stud while her sale is conducted on site virtually, with bidding on line and at the venue. 

Imperatriz won 10 Group 1 races in her star-studded career, six of those in Australia, along with four Group 2 and two Group 3 titles. She broke the Moonee Valley track record in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes and smashed that record at her next start in the Group 1 Moir Stakes, also at ‘The Valley’.

Imperatriz is also the only horse to have won the Group 1 Sprint Triple Crown at Moonee 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 - a credit to the exceptional skill and dedication of the Te Akau teams in Matamata, Cranbourne, and Te Akau Stud.

Magic Million’s Managing Director Barry Bowditch commented:

“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.

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

David Ellis CNZM concluded:

“The winner of 19 of her 27 starts, winning A$6.9 million (NZ$7.6 million) in prize money for her connections, ‘Berri’ is truly the horse of a lifetime, Ellis said. 

“Her owners have told Karyn (Fenton-Ellis MNZM, partnership manager and part owner) and me that she has changed their lives forever. They take pride in the legacy she has created on the track. 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.

“It has been an honour to have her race in the Te Akau tangerine.”