Superstar Kiwi sprint queen Imperatriz confirmed her status as the world’s best

The pinup girl for Te Akau Racing’s new Victorian stable, the Mark Walker trained Imperatriz hit career best form in 2023, capturing the imagination of racing enthusiasts on both sides of the Tasman. Imperatriz is actually Australian-bred, by I Am Invincible out of Berimabu and is possibly the best NZ race mare since the mighty Sunline. She started her racing career as a 2yo with a win at Otaki in November 2020 ridden by Danielle Johnson, which she won by a short neck. She then went on with it in 2021 as a 3yo, stamping her potential class by winning the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1100m), at Ellerslie and the Gr.3 Northland Breeders Stakes (1200m), downing future Australian star, I Wish I Win. Imperatriz ran 3rd in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings before winning the Gr.3 Soliloquy Stakes at Matamata to round out her campaign.

The mare resumed in 2022 by running 2nd in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie behind Sword of State before proving victorious in the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m). Then the mare really amped it up, firstly winning the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham beating On The Bubbles and I Wish I Win, and 1st in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa, beating Coventina Bay and Two Illicit. After a break she returned in the spring with a sprint focus, firstly winning the Kerkeri Cup at Ruakaka, then a nice win in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m), 4th in the Gr.1 Tarzino before winning the prestigious Gr.1 Railway Sprint at Ellerslie, beating top New Zealand sprinters, Babylon Berlin and Levante.

The mare represents the ultra-powerful Te Akau team and multiple champion trainer Jamie Richards, who has since decamped to Hong Kong, leaving her in the capable hands of Mark Walker who replaced him. Given her subsequent exploits in NZ, it is probable that anyone who bothered to watch racing out of the Shaky Isles would have marked her down as one of that country’s all-time greats even before she ever raced in Australia.

Although it is fair to say that the extent of her incredible improvement astonished even trainer Mark Walker. Bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, the Group One supremo carries the (AUS) suffix denoting her country of origin, however there’s a wealth of Kiwi connections in her make-up. The most apparent is the Te Akau Racing syndicate, who signed into the ownership of the I Am Invincible filly after David Ellis had paid A$360,000 for her at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale in January 2020.

In the opinion of Opie Bosson, Imperatriz stands out as the most exceptional horse he has ever had the privilege of riding, which is a significant statement considering his extensive experience. Her sheer exceleration is a wonder to witness and few can match her ability in either country. She has raced against the best and beaten the best, creating a magnificent lasting legacy.

Imperatriz achieved remarkable success in 2023, emulating the accomplishments of the legendary Sunline. She secured eight victories out of nine starts, including six at the highest level of competition. Notably, Imperatriz accomplished the unprecedented feat of completing the Moir/Manikato/Champions Stakes Gr.1 treble, setting new track records in the process. It remains uncertain whether the mare's participation in The Everest would have resulted in a victory, but it would have been incredible to see her there. Imperatriz did beat I Wish I Win in New Zealand, and that horse ran a close 2nd to the eventual winner, Think About It in the 2023 edition. In lieu of pursuing immediate financial gain, the connections strategically prioritised the pursuit of Group One glory for the purpose of enhancing the horse's long-term value as a broodmare. That said, Imperatriz has earned a staggering amount within a very short period of time, AU$6 million in fact with a record of 25 starts for 19 wins, 2 seconds and a 3rd placing.

The 12-year-old broodmare Berimbau, dam of Imperatriz and daughter of Shamardal (USA), sold for $1.8 million at the 2023 Inglis Chairman’s Sale. She was offered in foal to I Am Invincible, so a full sibling to the champion mare is expected.

Imperatriz returned in 2024, contesting the Lightning Stakes, and although her trial work was average, the class of the horse proved too good for the opposition on raceday. The Te Akau camp then carefully planned the assignment of the Newmarket, William Reid and TJ Smith for Imperatriz. The mare could have headed north for the Canterbury Stakes in Sydney on the same day, but they've opted to stick around in Melbourne. The mighty mare has feasted on weight-for-age sprints the past 12 months, carrying 56.5kg, which suits her perfectly. She ran a hard fought 2nd to Cylinder in the Newmarket at Flemington burdened with topweight of 58kg, before returning to her favoured Valley course for the 2024 Gr.1 William Reid. Opie found himself and Imperatriz trapped wide, and was running four wide on the turn, but quickly strode to the the lead, however her sheer strength of power drove her to the line over the fast finishing roughie, Johnny Rocker. It bought up her 10th Group one race victory, with 19 wins in total.

Unfortunately, a worked up Imperatriz looked a mess prior to the TJ Smith at Randwick, sweating up profusely behind the barriers and super agitated. On an unsuitable heavy track after a mass of rain on the Friday, Opie had the horse in a good position early but she was unable to pick up winner Chain of Lightning, finishing 4th behind Bella Nipotina and I Wish I Win, ending her campaign.

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 wellbeing before spelling, which led to the decision to retire her from racing. Imperatriz was sold for an Australian record A$6.6 million at the Magic Million Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast in 2024. The large Yulong bloodstock group gained the services of the trophy mare for future breeding purposes.

RACE RECORD - 27:19-2-1

EARNINGS - NZ$7,600,000

G2 Eclipse Stakes

G2 Foxbridge Plate

G3 Northland Breeders Stakes

G1 Levin Classic (2022)

G1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (2022)

G1 Railway Stakes (2023)

G1 BCD Group Sprint (2023)

G1 William Reid Stakes (2023, 2024)

G1 Moir Stakes (2023)

G1 Manikato Stakes (2023)

G1 Champions Sprint (2023)

G1 Lightning Stakes (2024)