Before they were famous: Imperatriz

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

In this series TTR AusNZ will take a look at Group 1 runners before they were successful on the racetrack; speaking to breeders, race educators and trainers on their formative years. Today, we take a look at the Bhima-raised and Te Akau Racing-owned, nine-time Group 1 winner, Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), who will jump from barrier three in Saturday's G1 Newmarket H. at Flemington.

Imperatriz

I Am Invincible x Berimbau (Shamardal {USA})

The Stud - Bhima Thoroughbreds

TTR AusNZ: What was Imperatriz like as a foal?

Mike Fleming: She was a foal born with a lot of quality, she had a great personality and always stood out in the paddock amongst the others.

TTR AusNZ: What was Imperatriz like as a weanling, did she have any particular mannerisms or traits?

MF: Not particularly any different from the others, she was just laidback, had a great attitude and just got around and did anything that was required of her.

TTR AusNZ: How did she handle yearling preparation?

MF: She handled the yearling prep very well and I think that is a key for horses going forward and becoming racehorses, they are easy to prep, they're straight forward, got great attitudes and eat well.

TTR AusNZ: Could you foresee her success from early on?

MF: I always thought she was a filly with quality. I remember going to the Gold Coast and Vinnie fillies at the time were starting to hit their mark, I probably thought at $360,000 she was well-bought, but also well sold, I thought she may have made a little bit more. She had the attitude to make it on the track, but I don't think anyone can ever foresee horses that are going to be of the quality of her and probably end up with a champion tag next to them, which I think she probably rightly deserves now.

TTR AusNZ: Imperatriz is obviously a fantastic flag-bearer for Bhima, what does a horse like her mean to the farm?

MF: HUGE. Any Group 1 winner is significant for a brand, but one that you've held through utero, foaled down, reared, sold and then seen her go on to become what she has is a huge thrill.

The Buyer - Te Akau Racing

TTR AusNZ: What was your first impression of Imperatriz?

David Ellis (CNZM): My first impression of this I Am Invincible filly was her quality. She had been very well-prepared for the (Magic Millions Gold Coast) sale and she stood out to me as a real athlete, powerful, nimble on her feet, with an abundance of class.

TTR AusNZ: What was Imperatriz's temperament like at the sale, were there any particular qualities that helped your decision?

DE: In terms of temperament, the sale complex and arena can be a challenge for some yearlings, after all they are young horses and it is all a new, vibrant, noisy environment. During my team's inspections the future Imperatriz actually showed signs of an unflappable temperament, a great attitude to everything asked of her - good signals that she had early mental maturity too. As she grew and developed into the world-class mare she is today, those strengths have been some of her greatest attributes and undoubtedly play a major part in her physical, on-track success. Those who know 'Berri' well, we all call her our queen or sweetheart - even before she became a star, she endeared herself to everyone who has the pleasure of having her in their lives. My wife Karyn (Fenton-Ellis), trainer Mark Walker and I and our whole team in both New Zealand and Cranbourne stables feel so privileged to guide and share her journey with her.

TTR AusNZ: Can you please explain Imperatriz's physical appearance as a yearling?

DE: As a yearling, Imperatriz was of average size: she had a good head and great shoulder, a good deep girth, obvious physical strength through the rib and was a beautiful, fluid-moving filly. She travelled back to New Zealand and was educated by my team at Te Akau Stud - everyone fell in love with her, and Karyn gave her the name Berri after the actor Halle Berry as she is a talent with beauty and brains!

TTR AusNZ: Were there any key attributes that drove you to purchase Imperatriz?

DE: Whilst she made our short-list very quickly, there was not one key attribute. After years of buying yearlings, I do have some benchmark requirements but am also always very open-minded in what I am looking for - she really presented to Mark Walker and me at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale as a good 'total package' and we could not be prouder of what she has accomplished since the day we first set eyes on her.

Trainer - Mark Walker

TTR AusNZ: When did Imperatriz arrive in your care and what were your first impressions of her?

Mark Walker: April 2022 when Jamie Richards went to Hong Kong. First impressions was she's fast.

TTR AusNZ: When did you see something special in Imperatriz?

MW: When the won New Zealand's premier sprint, the G1 Railway S. on January 1, 2023.

Gallery: Imperatriz enjoying a morning at the beach, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

TTR AusNZ: Can you describe her personality?

MW: She's a queen and knows she's special.

TTR AusNZ: Are there any other interesting points about her?

MW: Grumpy at feed time as she's always on a strict diet - she looks at food and puts weight on.

TTR AusNZ: What has been her career highlight to date?

MW: Winning the Champions Sprint at Flemington over (Melbourne) Cup week.