Fourth G1 Win for I Am Invincible Mare Imperatriz

Tara Madgwick - Saturday February 11

In a field that oozed quality from top to bottom with half of the twelve runners boasting wins at Group I level it was flying four-year-old Imperatriz who proved best on the day when she took out the Group I BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Despite the attentions of the riderless Mustang Valley, Imperatriz wins the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa Photo: Trish Dunell

The Mark Walker-trained daughter of I Am Invincible went into the race off the back of a narrow but impressive victory over race rival Babylon Berlin in the Group I Sistema Railway (1200m) at the venue on New Year’s day followed by a decisive win in the Group II Westbury Classic (1400m) at Pukekohe on January 21.

Hunting her third stakes win in a row and her fourth at the highest level, rider Opie Bosson had her perfectly positioned on the fence ahead of midfield as Babylon Berlin set up a solid pace, enhanced by the riderless Mustang Valley, who dropped Wiremu Pinn shortly after the start and continued on around the field.

Advertisement

Bosson was giggling to himself at the 600m as he had a lapful of horse and so it proved as he unleashed the mare in the run home, where she quickly moved alongside Babylon Berlin before forging clear to win with ridiculous ease in a slick 1.20.70 for the 1400m, the fastest since Mrs Selleck won the race back in 1992.

Strapper Laura Macnab showers Imperatriz with plenty of love after her stunning Te Rapa victory Photo: Trish Dunell

Bosson couldn’t believe how well Imperatriz had travelled throughout the contest and admitted he was counting the money a long way from home.

“She was never going to get beaten as I felt like I was in a race by myself with no one near me or around me,” Bosson said.

“She just went through her gears and she is awesome to sit on.

“It was over at the 600m as the splits just kept coming and I had a lapful of horse.

“It was a very good field, but when she is on her A-game there is not much that can beat her.”

Walker was also thrilled with the result and admitted his charge has a special affinity for the Te Rapa track where she remains unbeaten in five starts, all at stakes level.

“When the loose horse was out there, I was a little bit mindful of what was going on, but she is the real deal,” he said.

“I would love to get her to Australia in this form and maybe get a Group One over there.

“We have trained her a little bit different this time in and Opie has such confidence in her.

“She has a great record here and we were pretty confident coming into today as she was flying in her trackwork and just in her general demeanor.”

Imperatriz was a Magic Millions purchase for David Ellis.

Imperatriz was bought for $360,000 at Magic Millions from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft by David Ellis and was bred by Raffles Dancers Pty Ltd.

Imperatriz has the overall record of 12 wins from 17 starts and is the best of two winners from Berimbau, a Group II placed half-sister by Shamardal (USA) to stakes-winner Vinco, who is also by Imperatriz’s sire I Am invincible.

The family also features Group winners Royal Courtship and Poor Judge as well as stakes-winner Proud Player.

Berimbau produced a colt by Capitalist last spring and was then covered again by Australia's reigning champion sire I am Invincible.

Visit the profile page for I Am Invincible

I Am Invincible in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - Bcd Group Sprint Gr1 1400m

Te Rapa Track: Good(3) Time: 1:20.70
1
Imperatriz
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Berimbau (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: O P Bosson 57
I Am Invincible
2
4.5
Babylon Berlin
- 5m All Too Hard (AUS) x You Can'T Say That (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: B W Foote Rdr: K Asano 57
All Too Hard
3
6.0
Levante
- 6m Proisir (AUS) x Island Doy (GB) (Doyoun (IRE))
Tnr: K & B Kelso Rdr: R T Elliot 57
4
6.8
Maven Belle
- 3f Burgundy (NZ) x Doyenne (NZ) (Kilimanjaro (GB))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: C Zackey 53.5
5
7.3
La Crique
- 4m Vadamos (FR) x Destiny Cove (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: S & K Alexander Rdr: C J Grylls 57
6
7.8
Dragon Leap
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Pontiana (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: W B Kennedy 59
7
8.8
Bonny Lass
- 4m Super Easy (NZ) x Posh Bec (NZ) (Le Bec Fin (NZ))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: Jake Bayliss 57
8
10.8
Faithful Feat
- 5m Per Incanto (USA) x On Yer Feet (NZ) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: P W Lock Rdr: S C Spratt 57
9
13.2
Justacanta
- 9g Per Incanto (USA) x Just Casual (NZ) (Casual Lies (USA))
Tnr: S & E Clotworthy Rdr: M Hashizume 59
10
21.8
Gino Severini
- 9g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Green Castle (IRE) (Indian Ridge (IRE))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: V A Colgan 59
11
27.5
True Enough
- 9g Nom Du Jeu (NZ) x Valda's Dream (NZ) (Sakura Seeking (USA))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: J K Riddell 59
More Reading...
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
10 Time G1 Winner Imperatriz Retired
Australasia’s darling of the turf, Imperatriz, has been retired from racing.
She’s Invincible! Imperatriz Wins Tenth G1 in William Reid
With a big weight advantage Cylinder was able to win the G1 VRC Newmarket Handicap at the expense of mighty I Am Invincible mare Imperatriz, but he was not a factor when she added a 10th Group One victory to her collection with another supreme performance in Saturday’s $1 million Group I MVRC William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Imperatriz Crowned NZ Horse of the Year
Te Akau Racing collected top honours at the 2024 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards on Sunday evening, which was headlined by Imperatriz, who was named Horse of the Year, while the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson partnership were Trainer of the Year.
Te Akau Chase Back to Back G1 William Reid with Imperatriz
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand at The Valley on Saturday, with their seven-strong charge being led by their sprinting sensation Imperatriz, who will attempt to defend her crown in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m).
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.