Cover image courtesy of Sportpix
Few mares have etched their names into the record books quite like Bella Nipotina. The 7-year-old daughter of Pride Of Dubai, whose crowning achievement came with a historic victory in The Everest, is set to be offered as a broodmare prospect at the Inglis Chairman's Sale at Riverside on May 8.
A veteran of six racing seasons, Bella Nipotina bows out with an enviable record: 11 wins from 57 starts, including four at Group 1 level, and a staggering $22.7 million in prizemoney - second only to the great Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) in Australian racing history.
Her remarkable consistency saw her win or place in 13 Group 1 races, regularly overcoming wide barriers and tough runs to cement her status as one of the most durable elite sprinters of her generation.
A pedigree steeped in class
Bred by Michael Christian at Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, Bella Nipotina descends from a family that has repeatedly produced tough, high-class racehorses. Her dam, Bella Orfana (Star Witness), was a modest racehorse but a significant producer, and her granddam, Bella Inez (Beautiful Crown {USA}), left a lasting legacy.
Michael Christian | Image courtesy of Inglis
Bella Inez was a pivotal foundation mare for Christian’s breeding operation, producing multiple stakes winners, including the talented Hallowell Belle (Starcraft {NZ}), a G2 Gilgai Stakes winner and multiple Group 1-placed performer. Another of Bella Inez’s progeny, Fuddle Dee Duddle (Red Ransom {USA}), won at Group 3 level and is the dam of Maribyrnong Plate winner Brereton (Zoustar).
Tragedy struck when Bella Inez died following a colic attack shortly after being covered by Fastnet Rock, leaving behind an orphaned filly - Bella Orfana. Given her name, meaning “Beautiful Orphan” in Italian, she was retained by Christian and went on to produce Bella Nipotina as her first foal. Sadly, Bella Orfana died last year due to a rare sinus cancer, making Bella Nipotina’s career even more poignant for her breeders.
Pride Of Dubai | Standing at Coolmore Australia
Bella Nipotina is by Pride Of Dubai, a sire Christian was already familiar with through his high-class colt Of The Brave, who famously defeated Pride Of Dubai in the Blue Diamond Prelude before the latter went on to claim the Blue Diamond and Sires’ Produce Stakes. Impressed by Pride Of Dubai’s physical presence and confident in the pedigree match, Christian selected him for Bella Orfana - a decision that would ultimately yield one of Australia’s most celebrated sprinters.
One of the best
Offered at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Lindsay Park and Andrew Williams Bloodstock secured her for $80,000, with the Christian family retaining a half-share.
Originally trained by David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Bella Nipotina raced in top company as a 2-year-old which resulted in three black type placings including a second in the R. Listed Inglis Millennium. She claimed her first stakes victory in the G3 Quezette Stakes before transitioning to Ciaron Maher’s stable in 2021, blossoming into one of the country’s toughest and most consistent sprinters.
Her breakthrough Group 1 victory came in the 2022 Manikato Stakes, and she went on to claim major races across multiple states, including four Group 1 wins.
Bella Nipotina winning the G1 Manikato Stakes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“You can go through all the sprinting mares of the last 20 or 30 years, and I’m not sure you’d come up with any that have been able to do what she has done,” Christian said.
Her defining moment came in 2023, when, at 7-years-old, she stormed to victory in The Everest. Despite drawing barrier 12 and racing wide throughout, she defeated a stellar field including Giga Kick (Scissor Kick), Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon), Private Eye (Al Maher), and I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) in the world’s richest race on turf.
“You can go through all the sprinting mares of the last 20 or 30 years, and I’m not sure you’d come up with any that have been able to do what she (Bella Nipotina) has done.” - Michael Christian
“Her Everest win was mind-blowing, really,” Christian reflected. “She drew the outside gate, sat three-wide with no cover, and still won.”
Two weeks later, she backed it up in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes, further underscoring her extraordinary durability and class.
“To think that a 7-year-old mare could win The Everest and then dominantly take out the Russell Balding—it’s just remarkable,” Christian said.
Bella Nipotina winning the G1 TAB Everest | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Heading to the Inglis ring
With her racing career now complete, attention turns to the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, where she is expected to be one of the marquee lots. For Christian, it marks the end of an unforgettable journey.
“You breed, raise, and race horses hoping for something special, but you never expect to end up with one like her,” he said.
“You breed, raise, and race horses hoping for something special, but you never expect to end up with one like her (Bella Nipotina).” - Michael Christian
He also acknowledged the key players who helped shape her career, including jockey Craig Williams, who built an exceptional partnership with the mare, and David Hayes, who saw her potential early on.
The Chairman’s Sale will be a poignant occasion for Christian and his co-owners, including Siobhan Miller, Brad Christian, Tim and Bronny Porter, Wayne and Vicki Pelchen, Mick and Alise Johnston, and Andy Ingersole.
“The night is going to be a real celebration of her achievements and it’s going to be all about her,” Christian said. “She earned a reputation for being so tough and uncompromising, and that’s what I’m most proud of. She was never beaten far when she was beaten, and she earned enormous respect from the racing fraternity. We will celebrate all that is Bella Nipotina at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.”
Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch highlighted the enormity of the opportunity for breeders.
“She is one of the most accomplished racehorses we’ve seen in recent years, and it’s a privilege to bring her to market,” Hutch said. “She possesses a series of attributes that would be desirable in any quality racehorse, and it’s exciting to think what she might be capable of achieving as a broodmare.”
“She (Bella Nipotina) is one of the most accomplished racehorses we’ve seen in recent years, and it’s a privilege to bring her to market.” - Sebastian Hutch
As the curtain falls on Bella Nipotina’s extraordinary racing career, a new chapter awaits. With the sale set for May 8, the racing world will watch with keen interest as she steps into her next role - transforming from champion sprinter to one of the most coveted broodmares in the breeding barn.
