Te Akau Racing's 10-time Group 1 winner, Imperatriz (Aus), will be offered virtually at the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on Tuesday, May 28.
Trained by Jamie Richards at the beginning of her career before Mark Walker took over in Matamata, Imperatriz won 19 of her 27 starts, with the last of her 10 Group 1 victories coming at Moonee Valley in March when she won the William Reid S. for the second year in succession. She then finished a close-up fourth in the G1 TJ Smith S. at Randwick earlier this month on what would prove to be her final start.
David Ellis CNZM bought Imperatriz for A$360,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and Te Akau's principal felt it was fitting that the daughter of I Am Invincible (Aus) should be offered as a broodmore prospect at Magic Millions, though she will remain at the picturesque Te Akau Stud in New Zealand while the sale unfolds on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
“Ultimately we decided that she was sold as a yearling at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale–that's where we would go to sell her as a breeding prospect,” Ellis explained.
“When people see her, she'll sell herself. She's as beautiful looking a mare as you'd ever see and she's already let down into a beautiful broodmare. It is hard to believe just how good Imperatriz looks.”
On the decision to sell Imperatriz virtually, Ellis added, “We just thought that if people are interested in her they will be over to see her. It wasn't necessary to bring her over, and for GST reasons.
“There were no problems with travel, as we all know she's a great traveller, so there was no reason why she shouldn't travel. She's sound as anything but it wasn't necessary and Magic Millions are going to do it all online and her live cast for the sale.”
Barry Bowditch, managing director of Magic Millions, added, “It's hugely exciting for Magic Millions. The team here are buzzing about the news; to have been allowed the opportunity by Te Akau Racing, David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis to sell Imperatriz is massive.
“I believe she's the most highly credentialed mare to go to auction in my time in the industry. She holds the highest rating in the world for a mare right now. With 10 Group 1 wins and sired by our Champion Sire I Am Invincible, Imperatriz ticks every box.
“I expect interest from all corners of the globe and history could be made here on the Gold Coast from a broodmare-selling perspective.”
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