Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Wearing the iconic tangerine silks of Te Akau Racing, Imperatriz captivated fans throughout her illustrious 27-start career, earning world-champion status. Renowned as the highest-rated sprinter in the world, Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis revealed the decision to retire the exceptional mare following routine veterinary assessments.
After consultations with her owners, it was unanimously agreed that Imperatriz's future endeavours would unfold in the breeding barn, post her commendable fourth-place finish in the recent G1 T J Smith S. at Randwick.
“Last weekend, Imperatriz returned home to New Zealand, for a well-deserved break at Te Akau Stud. On her arrival, she underwent an in-depth veterinary ‘warrant of fitness’ to assess her well-being before spelling. Regrettably, these evaluations have led to the difficult but necessary decision to retire her from racing”, David Ellis said in a statement published on the Te Akau Racing website.
“Te Akau always puts the well-being of our horses first. The indications are that another high-level racing preparation would not be in her best interests, so whilst sad, the decision is very straightforward. Her welfare is our top priority, and she will retire a happy and sound horse,” he said.
“The indications are that another high-level racing preparation would not be in her (Imperatriz) best interests, so whilst sad, the decision is very straightforward. Her welfare is our top priority, and she will retire a happy and sound horse.” - David Ellis
Speaking to the The Thoroughbred Report on Thursday afternoon, Ellis confirmed that Imperatriz would be presented for public auction, with all options under consideration.
“The Te Akau policy is that we put racing partnerships together. And when they finish racing, we then dissolve the partnership, and 99 times out of 100, the policy is that we put them up for public auction.
David Ellis | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“So we'll be asking all three sales companies to give us a report and then we'll make a decision on which way we go.”
Imperatriz, sired by the champion I Am Invincible, was acquired by Ellis for $360,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft. Retiring with almost $7 million in earnings, Ellis expressed immense pride in the superstar sprinter.
“To have a horse that is rated as the best sprinter in the world in the stable is a big thrill. It's a big honour and a thrill for all the team that look after her. And also for the owners that have had such a thrill in racing a mare like this,” he remarked.
Highlighting her exceptional qualities, Ellis noted Imperatriz's athleticism and growth from a promising yearling into a beautiful mare. "She's grown into the horse that everybody wants now. She's just very, very athletic. Everything you look for in a horse—a beautiful head, great shoulder, great girth, great length between the hip and the hock, and she’s got a pretty good temperament, except when she's going to be fed,” he added.
“She's (Imperatriz) just very, very athletic. Everything you look for in a horse—a beautiful head, great shoulder, great girth, great length between the hip and the hock, and she’s got a pretty good temperament” - David Ellis
“She's the type of horse that Te Akau likes to buy. She won her first start as an early 2-year-old, won a Group 2 as a 3-year-old, won Group 1’s at three, four, and five. And that's the horse we're trying to buy."
Imperatriz won the G1 William Reid S. twice | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Her Group 2-placed dam Berimbau (Shamardal {USA}) was snatached up for a well-bought $1.8 million at last year's Inglis Chairman's Sale to the bid of Chatsworth Farm, delivering a colt.
Since then, Imperatriz amassed a further impressive five Group 1 victories.
With Te Akau Racing having previously sold 14-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) for $2.6 million and nine-time Group 1 winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock) for a staggering NZ$4.1 million in an online sales world-record, one can only speculate about the considerable value of their latest star mare.
