Potential buyers of the world’s most highly rated mare Empire has visited the ten-time group 1 winner at Te Akau Stud in New Zealand ahead of next month’s sale, with expectations her value could soar to record figures.
Magic Millions won a three-way battle to award the champion mare on behalf of the David Ellis-led ownership group, with the growing six-year-old mare to be sold in absentia at the Sale The company’s national stallion is on the Gold Coast at five four-week periods.
Imperatriz will be the show mare in the opening session of mares and mares racing on Tuesday, May 28, with Te Akau principal Ellis and Imperatriz’s owner deciding to partner with Magic Millions for the sale Auction of rare horse items. Presence of daughter I am invincible —Berimbau, by Shamardal, at public auction which could see the 16-year-old Australian record of A$5 million (US$3.28 million) paid for a stallion broken broke on the Gold Coast. Milanova was sold for that price in 2008 at a stud sale in Inglis.
Inglis and New Zealand Bloodstock’s Gavelhouse online platform also made attractive offers to Te Akau as it was announced 20 days earlier that Imperatriz’s glittering four-season racing career was over.
Magic Millions chief executive Barry Bowditch, who visited Te Akau Stud last week to see Imperatriz in the flesh and win the deal, described the mare’s acquisition as a coup for with the company. Asked if she could eclipse Milanova’s price tag, Bowditch said: “You would think she has what it takes to break the record, yes.
“She’s well bred, her pedigree is there for all of us to see and her racing record is quite outstanding. When you rank her globally against any mare on world, she can stand her ground against any of those mares.
“We have seen how valuable these mares are, in Europe or what they produce in America; when you compare that value to our currency, she has the right to break records .”
A winner of nearly A$7 million in purses and 19 of 27 starts, Imperatriz was retired after finishing fourth in this month’s TJ Smith Stakes (G1), with a veterinary examination scheduled Period when she returned to New Zealand revealed “wear and tear” problems, prompting the decision.
She is spelled in a paddock at Te Akau Stud, where she will remain until sold. Ellis revealed a number of interested parties had visited the farm to carry out inspections of the valuable mare. A live coverage of her march at Te Akau Stud will be broadcast at the Gold Coast sales complex when she takes part in the supplementary auction later on May 28.
Ellis, who plans to be on the Gold Coast when Imperatriz is sold, said: “There is no doubt that Imperatriz will attract global interest and will be a highlight on the international auction calendar. Now is considered the best mare in the world, her outstanding achievements speak for themselves.” much about her exceptional talent and perseverance on the track
“She has won more Group 1 races than any other horse worldwide in 2023, cementing her status as one of the greatest racing mares of recent decades.”
