Champion Exceed And Excel concludes two-decade reign

Written by

Kristen Manning

9 min read

After a stellar career on the track and at stud, the outstanding Exceed And Excel has been retired, with Darley making the announcement on the 20th anniversary of his dominant all-the-way win in the G1 Newmarket H.

Cover image courtesy of Darley

“Brilliant speed” was how racecaller Greg Miles summed up that memorable victory, Exceed And Excel taking on a group of talented older horses - leading them up, kicking clear with 300 metres to go... too classy, too fast.

Eye-catching from the get go

Catching trainer Tim Martin's eye in the pre-sale inspections (“I loved him the first time I saw him”), the member of the tenth crop of superstar stallion Danehill (USA) continued to impress at the sales.

As did another well-related colt, a son of Canny Lad's three-quarter sister Canny Miss (Marscay).

Tim was determined to secure one of them, though he just had one small problem - no buyer ready to go!

Tim Martin | Image courtesy of Tim Martin Racing

As he watched Darley secure the Canny Miss colt for $950,000, Tim hoped that the second colt would not be so expensive. He had only ever paid $30,000 for a yearling - he was taking a big risk, but we know all racing people are prone to taking them!

It took $375,000 to secure the next Danehill he liked, the first Australian born foal for the well-related import Patrona (USA) (Lomond {USA}).

It would be a couple of weeks before Tim was able to find owners for the colt, relieved when Nick Moraitis and Alan Osburg agreed after another Danehill colt they'd purchased had failed the post-sale x-rays.

Sustained speed

Named, with a degree of well-placed confidence, Exceed And Excel, he would make his debut in a 2-year-old contest at Canterbury on this day, March 6, 21 years ago.

Martin was confident, the horse showing superior ability from day one. He won that race and would have another three starts at two with a particularly satisfying victory coming in the G2 Todman Slipper Trial.

Not only was it very nice to win a feature juvenile contest with a very promising horse, but it was also pretty good to defeat Untouchable - Canny Miss' son who Tim had also loved at the sales.

Exceed And Excel at Canterbury on March 6, 2003 | Image courtesy of Sportpix

Working across to the lead from an outside gate in the G1 Golden Slipper S., Exceed And Excel gave plenty of cheek - still there with 200 metres to go but tiring over the final stages.

It would be as a 3-year-old that he would really make his mark, at his second run back racing away to an easy win in the G2 Up And Coming S.

He was also dominant in the G3 Roman Consul S., a race in which the Golden Slipper winner Polar Success (Success Express {USA}) and third-placed Hasna (Snippets) finished behind him.

A trip to Melbourne followed, Exceed And Excel boarded on a plane; the laidback temperament he inherited from his sire making him a great traveller. He settled in well and two weeks after his Roman Consul win he was taking on the older horses in the G1 Dubai Racing Club Cup.

Straight to the lead for Corey Brown, he put on another display of sustained speed, kicking clear half-way down the straight to win by 1.75l - leaving in his wake a number of Group 1 winners including Reactive (Geiger Counter {USA}), Titanic Jack (Encosta De Lago), Mr Murphy (Danehill {USA}) and Fields Of Omagh (Rubiton).

It was Tim's favourite win - “he was spot on that day. It was his best performance and my best performance as a trainer.”

“He (Exceed And Excel) was spot on that day (G1 Dubai Racing Club Cup). It was his best performance and my best performance as a trainer.” - Tim Martin

Not seeing out the mile of the G1 Caulfield Guineas (which he contested on the back of a set back), Exceed And Excel went to the paddock, kicking off his next campaign with a win in the G2 Royal Sovereign S., after which he returned to Melbourne for the Newmarket.

There were plans at the time to venture to Dubai with the idea that Godolphin would take notice and make an offer. As it turned out they already had their eye on the colt who they purchased for a reported $20 million.

Tim Martin has trained a few nice Exceed And Excels, laughing as he said "though not enough of them!

Exceed And Excel wins the G1 Dubai Racing Club Cup | Image courtesy of Sportpix

“He has been a great stallion,” he said, “and a horse with a wonderful temperament.

“He could pull a bit in track work but at the stables he was like a kid's pony, he was really good to handle, you could do anything with him.”

Exceed And Excel's trackwork rider Ben Cadden also looks back fondly on his career - “he had a lovely, lovely nature,” he said.

“But as soon as you got the saddle on he knew it was game time. There's the old saying 'let fast horses be fast' and he wasn't really happy unless he was running to his limit... and a lot of his progeny are the same.

Ben Cadden | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

“I don't think we really saw the best of him but he has been able to leave the best of himself in the breeding barn.

“It is the end of an era, he has left some legacy - he has been the kindergarten cop, king of the kids the world over!

“Even though it has been 20 years and there have been a lot of good horses after him, Exceed And Excel is still my favourite - he is my number one and he always will be.”

“Even though it has been 20 years and there have been a lot of good horses after him, Exceed And Excel is still my favourite - he is my number one and he always will be.” - Ben Cadden

High praise indeed considering the horses Ben has been involved with - Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) coming to mind!

Champion stud career

Upon his return to Australia, Exceed And Excel was retired to stud in 2004 with 99 foals emerging from his debut crop off a fee of $55,000 (inc GST). Eighty-nine of those made it to the track, 76 being winners - eight stakes winners.

It was with his second crop that he would strike Group 1 gold, his son Reward For Effort taking out the 2001 G1 Blue Diamond S.

Exceed And Excel

It has been all up from there, Exceed And Excel (who has more to come - 67 2-year-olds, 53 yearlings, 48 weanlings and last year's book of 56 mares) proving to be an outstanding force both locally and internationally.

Crowned Australian Champion Sire for 2012/2013, he boasts progeny earnings in excess of $270 million - 1804 (70.1 per cent) of his 2571 runners being winners with 215 (8.4 per cent) of those successful at stakes level.

He is the sire of 18 Group 1 winners; in Australia - Reward For Effort, Guelph, Bivouac, Flamberge, Helmet, September Run, Microphone, Earthquake, Overreach, Exceedance and Amber Sky... and overseas - Mr Stunning, Excelebration (Ire), Mawj (Ire), Queen Supreme (Ire), Outstrip (GB), Mischief Magic (Ire) and Margot Did (Ire).

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Gallery: Some of the Group 1 winners sired by Exceed And Excel

Alastair Pulford, Darley Australia’s head of stallions is understandably full of praise for one of the stud's most successful stallions.

“I can't can’t overstate how great an influence he has been on this stud and the entire Australian racing and breeding scene,” he said.

“As a very fast son of Danehill, who at that stage was highly recognised as an elite sire of sires, he was extremely popular from the word go... an amazing horse from day dot.

“He became the leading sire of 2-year-olds, but it wasn’t only 2-year-olds - he ended up being a great sire of horses of all ages.”

“He (Exceed And Excel) became the leading sire of 2-year-olds, but it wasn’t only 2-year-olds - he ended up being a great sire of horses of all ages.” - Alastair Pulford

Also crowned Hong Kong's Champion Sire on three occasions, Exceed And Excel was the first stallion anywhere in the world to reach the milestone of 500 juvenile winners. He is the only Australian-bred stallion to sire over 200 stakes winners... his name on that honor roll alongside Danehill, Galileo (Ire), Sadler's Wells (USA), More Than Ready (USA), Deep Impact (Jpn) and Dubawi (Ire).

Shuttled on 16 consecutive occasions, he is the broodmare sire of 1333 winners (62.0 per cent) and 101 (4.7 per cent) stakes winners including 14 Group 1 winners. Fifteen of his sons have sired stakes winners including seven represented by Group 1 winners... and over a variety of distances including a G1 Melbourne Cup success for Outstrip's son Gold Trip (Fr) and two G1 Dubai World Cup wins for Helmet's son Thunder Snow (Ire).

Alastair Pulford | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

He still has a nice variety of sons at stud including Bivouac, Exceedance, Headwater and Microphone. And the Australian Stud Book currently lists 360 daughters.

“Exceed And Excel celebrates a two-decade breeding career of influence,” Alastair Pulford said, "by retiring sound and on his own terms. He has and will continue to leave an indelible hoofprint on the racing and breeding worlds.”

Exceed And Excel

Darley

Pennyweka, Hope In Your Heart and C’est Magique, the latest Group 1 mares to join stellar Chairman's Sale lineup

Written by

Kristen Manning

9 min read

Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), Hope In Your Heart (Dundeel {NZ}) and C’est Magique (Zoustar) are the latest elite entries confirmed for this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale that takes place at the Riverside stables on Thursday, May 9.

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

The Chairman's Sale, Inglis' premier auction event for fillies and mares, is assembling an exclusive selection of top-tier mares for its upcoming edition.

Inglis' CEO - Bloodstock Sales Sebastian Hutch is delighted with the collection of high-class race mares being assembled for the Chairman's Sale with a group of Group 1 winners amongst the highlights.

The latest to the group being the very classy Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), winner of the G1 New Zealand Oaks and the G1 Australian Oaks before being retired from racing at the end of 2023.

Pennyweka (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images

Oaks winners, have, throughout history, proven to be outstanding broodmares with recent success stories including the Group 1 producers Arapaho Miss (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Dizelle (Zabeel {NZ}), Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice), Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}) and Anamato (Redoute's Choice).

Inglis put together some impressive statistics in regards to this - reporting that, since 2000 14 per cent of Oaks winners in Australia produced a Group 1 winner and 38 per cent of them a stakes winner.

Pennyweka's trainer Jim Wallace is excited to follow his girl onto the next stage of her career.

“She will be a sensational broodmare. If she passes that temperament of hers onto her progeny, she could be anything. She’s sound as a bell, she’s never had a day of soreness in her life and while she’s been officially retired here in New Zealand, I’m sure the new owners could investigate their options.

“She (Pennyweka) will be a sensational broodmare. If she passes that temperament of hers onto her progeny, she could be anything.” - Jim Wallace

“The greatest thing about her was her temperament, she was simply unflappable,” Wallace said.

“She is one of those horses with amazing lungs. It didn’t matter how far she was asked to go, she just thrived. She was a natural athlete and her ability to quicken during a race was extraordinary.

“The Chairman's Sale is recognised as being the premier sale for a mare of her quality. It made it quite easy for us to decide where to sell her and the results of the sale speak for themselves.”

Another Oaks winner to go under the hammer is She’s Extreme (Extreme Choice), the $275,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale graduate who backed up her juvenile success in the G1 Champagne success with a Classic win in the 2022 G1 VRC Oaks.

She’s Extreme | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Sebastian Hutch visited She's Extreme on Wednesday and was enthusiastic in his praise for the chestnut.

“She looks absolutely fantastic, they have done such a good job for her. People are going to be excited when they see her, she is such a lovely athlete - a nice sized, strong mare who is going to prove very popular.”

“She (She’s Extreme) looks absolutely fantastic... People are going to be excited when they see her, she is such a lovely athlete - a nice sized, strong mare who is going to prove very popular.” - Sebastian Hutch

The 2021 G1 Tattersall's Tiara winner Startantes (Star Turn) who has been so tough winning nine of her 30 starts will also have plenty of fans.

As will the Group 1-performed mares Hope In Your Heart (Dundeel {NZ}), Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}), C’est Magique (Zoustar), Steinem (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and High Emocean (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

A triple Group winner who finished second in the G1 Queen of the Turf S. and a close-up fourth in the G1 Doncaster won by Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Hope In Your Heart is currently spelling, making her a lovely prospect for either stud duties or another campaign.

Hope In Your Heart | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

“She will be perfectly let down to head straight to the breeding barn or ready to be prepared for the spring carnival, pending what the new owners want to do with her,” said Torryburn’s Mel Copelin.

“Her mother is back in foal to Dundeel, plus there’s a full brother on the ground so the family just keeps growing. She’s very neat and tidy and has grown into a beautiful mare, a typical Dundeel and you can also see a lot of her damsire Montjeu in her. She’s the perfect size to breed to basically any stallion in the market.

“She (Hope In Your Heart) will be perfectly let down to head straight to the breeding barn or ready to be prepared for the spring carnival, pending what the new owners want to do with her.” - Mel Copelin

“She gave her owners a lot of buzz racing her and they had the time of their lives but they feel they can’t give her the best stallions if they were to keep her so they’ve decided to sell her to someone who can give her the best chance as a broodmare.

“We advised them to go to The Chairman’s Sale. It is such a phenomenal night and all the right people are there to ensure you have every chance to sell your mares to the best people. Plus, it’s just such a fun night, we can dress up, it’s unique!”

Half-sister to Written By

Being a half-sister to the up-and-coming stallion Written By, C’est Magique is another highlight of the sale, a lightly raced 4-year-old whose four stakes-placings include a G1 Coolmore Stud S. second to In Secret (I Am Invincible).

C’est Magique | Image courtesy of Racing Photos

The Grahame Begg-trained C’est Magique has accepted to run in Saturday’s G3 Wenona Girl H. at Randwick and her owner/breeder Neville Begg is confident regarding her prospects.

“Her form tells you that she is top class,” he said. "And she is a very good type. She is sound as a bell, not over-raced and she will run very well on Saturday from a perfect draw.

“She still has a lot of racing ahead of her and she is going to give her new owners a rare opportunity with a mare who can race at the elite level for seasons to come if they choose - and then become an elite broodmare.”

“She (C’est Magique) still has a lot of racing ahead of her and she is going to give her new owners a rare opportunity with a mare who can race at the elite level for seasons to come if they choose - and then become an elite broodmare.” - Neville Begg

Also an excellent prospect to race on is the recent G2 Light Fingers S. winner Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}) who did not have a great deal of luck in the G1 Surround S. last weekend. Being by a Japanese-bred, dual Group 1 winner from the same family that produced Dubawi (Ire), she is sure to have international appeal.

As does Steinem, the Group 1-placed, two-time Group winner whose superstar sire Frankel (GB) is already making his mark as a broodmare sire with five stakes winners amongst the first 85 winners produced by his daughters.

The Group 3-winning, G1 Melbourne Cup placegetter High Emocean adds depth to the catalogue, the half-sister to the Listed winner Elate (NZ) (Savabeel) able to claim amongst her relations one of the greats of the Australasian turf - the mighty Bonecrusher (NZ) (Pag Asa).

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Gallery: Other top-class mares to be offered at the Inglis Chairman's Sale

“We are delighted with the quality and variety of mares being entered for the sale,” Hutch said, noting that nominations are yet to close.

“We have put a lot of hard work into the sale as it is a concept we have a lot of faith in - and one which the market has embraced.

“We are delighted with the quality and variety of mares being entered for the sale. There is still time left to enter and I am confident that this sale is just going to get stronger and stronger.” - Sebastian Hutch

“There is still time left to enter and I am confident that this sale is just going to get stronger and stronger.”

Group 1-winning mares leaving their mark

With Group 1-winning mares batting above average in regards to broodmare performance, it is little wonder that the best continue to prove popular with high-class Australsian mares doing a great job not only locally but internationally.

Such as Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock) and Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock) who have been represented by elite-level performers in recent times - Sea Siren's daughter Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) a Group 1 winner in England, America and France whilst Atlantic Jewel's son Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has won two Hong Kong majors.

G1 Railway S. winner Bounding (Lonhro) is proving a hit in the sales ring in the United States where her first foal Aussie Pride (USA) (Curlin {USA}) fetched US$4.1 million as a yearling whilst her G3 Blue Diamond Prelude-winning dam Believe'N'succeed (Exceed And Excel) produced the G1 Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

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Gallery: High-class Australian mares doing a great job at stud

Big-race winners continue to make a great contribution to Japanese racing - such as the dual Group 1 winner Yankee Rose (All American) whose daughter Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) has four Group 1 wins and a G1 Japan Cup second to the star galloper Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) on her impressive resume and the G1 Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed (Southern Image {USA}) whose son Cosmo Kuranda (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}) won last week's G2 Deep Impact Kinen.

The four-time Group 1 winner Mosheen (Fastnet Rock) is the dam of two stakes winners whilst the G1 NZ Oaks heroine More Than Sacred (More Than Ready {USA}) has produced the G1 Japanese St Leger winner Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente{Jpn}). And the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas winner King's Rose (NZ) (Redoute's Choice) has the dual Group 3 winner Satono Arthur (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

It is the success of such mares on the international stage that has local breeders making the effort to keep some of our best at home with Inglis' Sebastian Hutch noting that “people want to be involved with the best.

“In the last few years breeders are making more of an effort to ensure that our best mares stay in Australia,” Hutch said, sure that they have been spurred on by the “worldwide respect for the quality of our bloodstock.”

Inglis Chairman's Sale

Pennyweka

Hope In Your Heart

C’est Magique

Sebastian Hutch

Southern Charm outshines Johnny The Kid in Warwick Farm opener

Written by

Renee Geelen

4 min read

Warwick Farm kicked off its midweek meeting on Wednesday with a juvenile feature, providing an interesting result for a horse named Southern Charm trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott

Cover image courtesy Ashlea Brennan

Tulloch Lodge was expected to win Wednesday’s opening race at Warwick Farm with favourite Johnny The Kid (Trapeze Artist) but he was nabbed on the line by stablemate Southern Charm (Shalaa {Ire}).

The quinella provided the Waterhouse/Bott team with their 14th individual 2-year-old winner this season, and they have won 20 races between them.

Southern Charm was having her third start, having debuted back in October 2023 where she ran sixth of eight in the Listed Debutant S. won by Coleman (Pierata). Sent for a spell, Southern Charm returned to the Waterhouse/Bott stable to trial twice in January before running fifth (of six) at Hawkesbury over 1000 metres.

Even with that mediocre form, Southern Charm was sent out at $9.50 by punters, and she rewarded them by digging deep to run down Johnny The Kid and score by half-a-head.

Gai Waterhouse tweeted, “Southern Charm was just that today, stealing the limelight from her stablemate Johnny The Kid. A good stable 2YO quinella and two horses that have bright futures.”

“Southern Charm was just that today, stealing the limelight from her stablemate Johnny The Kid. A good stable 2YO quinella and two horses that have bright futures.” - Gai Waterhouse

“It was exciting. We were surprised and disappointed after her last start but she certainly got the job done today,” said Henderson Racing’s David Henderson.

“I was reading in the press that the other horse (Johnny The Kid) had trialled very well, but Southern Charm had trialled in excellent fashion too. Her second run threw us a bit, however it has proved to be a form race and the extra 100 metres today and a bit less pressure made the difference.

“There aren’t a ton of options around. Maybe the Magic Night on Saturday week. You only get one chance to get to a Slipper, but it’s up to Gai and Adrian if they decide it’s suitable for her. It’ll depend on how she pulls up and gets through the next week. I expect they’ll nominate and assess from there.”

Bred to go early

Sold by Arrowfield Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to the Henderson Racing & Breeding Trust for $180,000. Southern Charm is the 112th 2-year-old winner for Woodside Park Stud’s Shalaa (Ire).

To put this number into a little bit of perspective, Shalaa has sired 336 individual winners, which means approximately one third of his winners won their first race as 2-year-olds, explaining his reputation as a stallion who has the ability to leave precocious horses.

Shalaa has eight crops across both hemispheres and has 16 stakes winners and 336 winners from 589 foals to race, led by Group 1 winner No Speak Alexander (Ire), while his best Australian foal is dual Group 3 winner and R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Shaquero.

Shalaa (Ire) | Standing at Woodside Park

Southern Charm is the first foal for winning mare In A While (Redoute’s Choice) who is a three-quarter sister to 2022 Listed William Crockett S. winner Wee Nessy (Snitzel) and stakes-placed winners Adios (Snitzel) and Snapback (Snitzel). Wee Nessy runs in Saturday’s G3 Wenona Girl H. while Adios is currently racing in Hong Kong.

Three-year-old colt Snapback is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden and ran second in the G2 BRC Sires’ Produce S. last season, and his most recent start was in the G3 Blue Sapphire.

In A While was sold as a yearling by Arrowfield Stud for $520,000, and they bought her back after her racing career as a broodmare prospect in 2020 for $70,000. Her second foal is a Maurice (Jpn) colt that Arrowfield Stud sold at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $220,000.

Southern Charm obviously showed ability early with the Waterhouse/Bott team electing to run her in Listed class for her debut, and in her third start, she’s shown the racing world that the faith was worthwhile.

Southern Charm as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Second placed Johnny The Kid was sent out favourite and wasn’t disgraced in being run down to lose by a half-head. He was sold by Widden Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $120,000 and races in the Strawberry Hills colours of John Singleton. By second-season sire Trapeze Artist, he is out of Listed winner I Got Chills (General Nediym).

Southern Charm

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott

Before they were famous: Imperatriz

6 min read

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})

Race Record

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Winner - G1 Lightning S.

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Winner - G1 Champions Sprint

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Winner - G1 Manikato S.

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Winner - G1 Moir S.

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Winner - G2 Ian McEwen S.

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Winner - G1 William Reid S.

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Second - G1 Canterbury S.

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Winner - G1 BCD Group Sprint

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Winner - G2 Westbury Classic

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Winner - G1 Railway S.

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Winner - G2 Foxbridge Plate

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Winner - G1 Thoroughbred Breeders’ S.

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Winner - G1 Levin Classic

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Second - G3 Almanzor Trophy

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Winner - G3 Soliloquy S.

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Third - G3 Gold Trail

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Winner - G3 Northland Breeders’ S.

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Winner - G2 Eclipse S.

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.

Imperatriz as a foal | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

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.

Imperatriz as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

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.

Connections of Imperatriz | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

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.

Opie Bosson, Karyn Fenton-Ellis and Mark Walker after Imperatriz won the G1 Champions Sprint | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

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.

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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.

Before they were famous

Imperatriz

Daily News Wrap

Nichols announces retirement from RVL

Racing Victoria director Greg Nichols has announced his retirement, leaving three empty spaces on the RV board.

“It's been a pleasure to serve on the Racing Victoria Board for the past 12 years, working alongside a raft of highly accomplished and committed directors,” Nichols told Racing.com.

Greg Nichols | Image courtesy of Racing Australia

“Victorian racing has come a long way in that time, delivering record returns to participants and unparalleled investment in integrity, welfare and infrastructure. I want to acknowledge and thank all of the stakeholders and staff whom I've had the privilege of working closely with over the past 12 years.”

With the departure of Nichols on March 31, Chairman Mike Hirst leaving at the end of May, and Brian Kruger who left last year and is yet to be replaced, the Victorian Racing Minister Anthony Carbines needs to find three new directors.

Thrilling finish sees Quickster win at Sandown

The second race at Sandown went down to the wire with favourite Quickster (Shamus Award) just prevailing over $18 shot The Shaper (Street Boss {USA}).

Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Quickster is a full sister to G1 Toorak H. winner Mr Quickie. The 3-year-old filly was having her fifth start, but showed ability early, running fourth in the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic at only her start. Raced by Rosemont Stud, Quickster is the third winner for her dam, city winner Special Favour (General Nediym).

Emotional win for Kent at Balaklava

Co-trainer Glen Kent dedicated the win of Super Alana (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) at Balaklava on Wednesday to the stable’s injured apprentice, Chelsea Reynolds.

It’s pretty tough … good to get the win for Chelsey,” Kent told Racing.com.

Kent trains in partnership with Wayne Francis, and Super Alana is now the winner of two races from fifteen starts.

“She’s not the easiest horse … she’s got city ability in the right races but she just does a lot wrong. The girls do a really good job with her out the back because she's one that likes to kick a bit at the wall … Amabel like myself is a bit emotional, she’s best friends with Chelsey and they're pretty tight, we’re getting through it.”

A $30,000 purchase from the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Super Alana now has earnings over $47,000.

Wilson-Taylor gets Oaks ride in New Zealand

Queensland jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor has picked up his first international ride, and will be aboard Cupid’s Arrow (NZ) (El Roca) in the G1 New Zealand Oaks on March 16 at Trentham.

“I struck up a relationship with Andrew Scott when he was here for the Brisbane carnival last time, I helped him out with trackwork gallops,” Wilson-Taylor said.

“He sort of said that if I ever wanted to go and ride in New Zealand, I should let him know. So I thought I would see if they needed me any time soon. He offered me a ride on Cupid’s Arrow in the Oaks and Grail Seeker who is a promising filly in the Guineas. I also have a couple rides on the day for Tony Pike at this stage. I’m really looking forward to the day as it should hopefully build some foundation for some Kiwi horses coming to Brisbane in the future.”

Trained by Andrew Scott and Lance O'Sullivan, Cupid’s Arrow broke her maiden two starts ago and is a winner from seven starts, while Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) is also a winner from seven starts and was third in the G2 Eight Carat Classic three starts ago.

Karaka Million winner Velocious gallops well ahead of G1 target

Last start Karaka Million winner Velocious (Written Tycoon) galloped on Wednesday morning ahead of her G1 Sistema S. assignment on Saturday.

“She had a little break after that and has done very well since, her trial the other day (at Cambridge) topped her off nicely,” trainer Stephen Marsh told loveracing.nz.

“She had her final gallop this (Wednesday) morning and everything looks bang on track for her.”

Velocious | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)

Assuming all goes well on Saturday, Velocious will head to the other 2-year-old Group 1 in New Zealand.

“I think we will certainly be looking at that, she’s thriving and there will be a nice gap between races for her,” Marsh said. “The Manawatu Sires’ is part of the $1 million bonus for the Kiwi, so it’s all on the radar.”

Velocious has won three of her four starts with earnings over NZ$650,000, and was a NZ$190,000 purchase from Inglewood Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

Bedtime Story wins her way into Guineas field

Exciting 3-year-old filly Bedtime Story (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) won her way into the G2 Wellington Guineas field with a strong victory at Otaki on Wednesday. “It was good to get another win with her. You need a bit of luck every now and then,” co-trainer Guy Lowry told loveracing.nz.

“Not only will she benefit from the run, she would have learnt a lot from today as well. With blinkers on for the first time she over-raced a bit, but other than that she was good. She will go on to the Wellington Guineas next Saturday.” Lowry trains in partnership with Leah Zydenbos.

Bedtime Story has now won three of her five starts and placed in the other two. She is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Dragon Queen (NZ) (Sweynesse) out of an unraced daughter of Group 1 winner Snap (NZ) (Kingdom Bay {NZ}).

Jockey falls off approaching winning post

In the race won by Bedtime Story, jockey Masahiro Hashizume fell off Revolt (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) just as the horse was hitting the lead with around 50 metres to go. The side-on footage didn’t show any obvious reason for the fall, although Hashizume had just swapped his whip to the other hand and perhaps the horse shifted sideways into the runner beside him, upsetting Hashizume’s balance.

Masahiro Hashizume | Image courtesy of Racing Photos

Both horse and rider were unharmed, with Hashizume going on to fulfil his riding obligations for the remainder of the card. The winner of one of his seven starts (six completed), Revolt is third foal of winning mare Fascinate Me (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) whose yearling by Proisir sold for NZ$240,000 at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

Hong Kong rematch confirmed for Dubai World Cup meeting

Trainer Caspar Fownes confirmed on Wednesday that Straight Arron (Fastnet Rock) will have a rematch with Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) in the G1 Dubai Turf over 1800 metres at Meydan on March 30.

“He’s going good. It was a bit of a forgive run the other day (in the Gold Cup) because he got taken out in the first corner and it definitely cost us third place,” Fownes told scmp.com.

“The first two were too good on the day, but the start before that was very, very good over 1800 metres (when third in the Centenary Vase). Just going through his form, we thought it was worthwhile going there over 1800 metres. It’s going to be tough, but his run in (December’s Hong Kong Cup) was outstanding. He didn’t have the best of luck against some of the best staying horses around, so we’ll take him for a trip and hopefully it will toughen him up and show us where we are on the world stage.”

English Guineas nominations released

Both the English 1000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas have 49 entries each at the current stage of nomination released on Tuesday with the colts running Newmarket on May 4 where the favourite is trainer Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten City Of Troy (USA) (Justify {USA}). City Of Troy's stablemate Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of the 1000 Guineas winner Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), is currently second-favourite and is one of eight entries in the race for the Ballydoyle stable.

The 1000 Guineas will run on the following day with O’Brien’s G1 Prix Marcel Boussac Opera Singer (USA) (Justify {USA}) as the current favourite and O’Brien also has eight horses in the filly’s version of the Guineas. G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) is currently the leading British-trained hope.

Welfare summit to be held in June

The 11th Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit will be held June 25 in the Longship Room at Kroger Field on the campus of the University of Kentucky.

“Keeneland has always been a great host. When its construction coincided with this year's summit, Dr Nancy Cox, dean of the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, immediately stepped up to host the summit,” said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and deputy executive director of The Jockey Club.

Dr Nancy Cox | Image courtesy of the University of Kentucky

“Dr Cox and UK have been great partners with The Jockey Club and Grayson on multiple projects, and we look forward to working with them on our 2024 summit. I am certain they will be an excellent host.” The event will be livestreamed.

Sunshineinmypocket remains unbeaten

Trainer Ciaron Maher’s 3-year-old gelding Sunshineinmypocket (NZ) (Proisir) remains unbeaten after making it two from two at Sandown on Wednesday. The NZ$6000 weanling was passed in as a yearling and later purchased privately by a group of Maher’s owners after winning a trial in New Zealand. His second dam is G1 Thorndon Mile winner A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins).

New 2-year-old winner for Zousain

First-season sire Zousain picked up a new 2-year-old winner at Doomben on Wednesday when Zouna won on debut for trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith. He becomes Zousain’s fifth winner joining Drifting, Chateau Miraval, Dyer and The Victress.

Zouna was a $120,000 purchase from the Kenmore Lodge draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Makybe Diva son wins off-the-track class

Surrey (High Chaparral {Ire}), a son of Horse of the Year Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}) is now a Horse of the Year himself. The equestrian event was held over six days from March 5-1 at Tomoana Showgrounds in the Hawke's Bay region and is New Zealand’s premier showjumping, eventing and dressage event.

Newly crowned Horse of the Year, Surrey | Image courtesy of Michelle Hall

Surrey was competing in the “Ridden Thoroughbred Show Horse” class on Wednesday and goes home as the best in New Zealand. As a racehorse, he was a winner from 22 starts with five second placings. Makybe Diva, winner of three Melbourne Cups, left six winners from eight foals to race led by stakes-placed winner Divanation (All Too Hard).

Application date extended for bloodstock mentoring program

The application date for the Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) 2024 mentorship program has been extended until March 20.

Aspiring bloodstock agents will have the opportunity to work alongside a FBAA agent, shadowing them as they work for a two-month period with a variety of work ranging from office work to sales day inspections.

Applications open on March 1 and close on 20 March, with the program taking place from Saturday, June 1, 2024, until Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

The cost of flights and accommodation for mentees to attend the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale and Inglis Great Southern Sale will be covered by the FBAA. Applications can be submitted through the FBAA website.

Daily News Wrap

Looking Ahead - March 7

Bet365 Park Kyneton, Race 1, 2pm AEDT, Organs Coaches Mdn H., $27,000, 1225m

Lovebird, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Flamboyant Lass {Stratum})

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Lovebird will travel to Kyneton on Thursday to make her debut over 1225 metres.

This I Am Invincible filly is the third foal from the Stratum mare Flamboyant Lass, who was a two-time winner on the track but also classy enough to place in the Listed Reginald Allen H. She also is a sister to Attention (Stratum) who was a two-time winner as a juvenile including the G2 Sires’ Produce S., and the G3 Schweppervescence S.

Lovebird as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis

Further back in the family is the very talented Pasikatera (Thunder Gulch {USA}), her talented Listed-winning gelding Planet Voyage (Exceed And Excel) and the stakes performed Grebeni (Ocean Park {NZ}).

Flamboyant Lass has been given every chance at stud and in recent years has left a yearling colt by Capitalist, foaled a colt by Home Affairs in the spring as was served by Stay Inside.

Lovebird was a $850,000 purchase by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA), from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2022 Inglis Australia Easter Yearling Sale.

Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 2, 6.15pm AEDT, Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale Mdn, $40,000, 1600m

Tertulia (Ire), 4-year-old mare (Lope De Vega {Ire} x Anna’s Rock {Ire} {Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}})

The well-bred Tertulia (Ire) is set to have her second start over 1600 metres for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr at Pakenham on the back of a very promising debut performance on the Pakenham Synthetic last year over the mile distance.

Tertulia is a daughter of Ballylinch Stud’s super sire Lope De Vega (Ire) and is out of Anna’s Rock (Ire). She was a two-time winner on the track and her wins included Listed success in the Tipperary Fairy Bridge S.

Lope De Vega (Ire) | Standing at Ballylinch Stud

She has become a very successful broodmare and her progeny includes five individual winners with the best of them being the five-time stakes winner Breton Rock (Ire) (Bahamian Bounty {GB})

Tertulia was a 150,000 gns (AU$308,000) purchase by Mick Price Racing Australia/D Farrington from the 2021 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 1).

Grafton, Race 3, 2.20pm AEDT, McLennan Earthmoving Country Boosted Mdn, $30,000, 1175m

Top Act, 3-year-old filly (Trapeze Artist x Bridle Lane {Street Cry {Ire}})

This promising filly was consigned by Lustre Lodge at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He was knocked down to M Dunn/N Jenkinson (FBAA), NSW for $130,000.

The Matthew Dunn-trained Top Act is out of Bridle Lane, a winner at 1600 metres and metropolitan placed. The family does not have a lot of stakes performers up close in the pedigree, but it is the extended family of Coolmore’s dual-hemisphere sire in Fastnet Rock (Danehill {USA}).

Top Act as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis

Bridle Lane has left two individual winners in Zoulane (Zoustar) and Fanciful Flying (Shalaa {Ire}). Bridle Lane has a 2-year-old gelding by Capitalist that has been exported to Hong Kong, a yearling colt half-brother by Zoustar and a Toronado (Ire) filly foal in the spring.

Looking Back

Our selections for Sunday fared okay with Johnny The Kid (Trapeze Artist) finishing second at Warwick Farm. Bengal (Zoustar) ran fourth at Warwick Farm and Adranos (Capitalist) ran third.

Looking Ahead

Looking Back

Debutants

1 min read

First-time starters lining up on Thursday, March 7

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

First Season Sire Runners & Results

1 min read

First Season Sires’ Results

Results: Wednesday, March 6

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Thursday, March 7

No first season sires' runner

First Season Sire Results

First Season Sire Runners

Second Season Sire Runners & Results

Second Season Sires’ Results

Results: Wednesday, March 6

Second Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Thursday, March 7

Second Season Sire Results

Second Season Sire Runners

NSW Race Results