Imperatriz - Australian Horse of the Year Finalist

WOW!

We could not be more proud and humbled to learn today that our mighty mare IMPERATRIZ is one of five finalists for the prestigious Australian Horse of the Year award.

The 10-time Group 1 victress, won five Group 1 titles during the 2023/24 season - more than any horse in Australasia - as well as the Group 2 McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley (in track record time. She then broke her own record at her very next start in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.

In her stellar career she won four Group 1 races at Moonee Valley - the only horse to win the Group 1 Sprint Triple Crown at The Valley - and she did it twice! Once in 2023 calendar year and then again in the season!  She was never beaten at The Valley, and remains its "Queen".

She also won two elite Group 1 races at Flemington, in addition to her four New Zealand Group 1 titles.

Imperatriz was bought by David Ellis CNZM at the Magic Million's January yearling sale for A$360,000. She won over $7 million on the track. When sold to Yulong Investments through the Magic Millions' auction company in May 2024, her A$6.6 million price re-wrote history, being a Southern Hemisphere record. 

Hot Off the Press:

The finalists have been unveiled for Australia's Horse of the Year, with the country's best gallopers of season 2023-24 to be honoured in October at Morphetville.

Racing Australia and Racing South Australia announced the list of nominees on Friday morning, with eight winners to be crowned across eight categories on the night.

All multiple Group 1 winners in 2023-24, the Australian Horse of the Year gong will be awarded to one of Imperatriz, Mr Brightside, Pride Of Jenni, Riff Rocket or Without A Fight.

The nominations for the 2023/24 Australian Horse Of The Year are:

Imperatriz - six wins, five G1s, $5.26m prizemoney

Mr Brightside - five wins, four G1s, $5.24m prizemoney

Pride Of Jenni - four wins, three G1s, $8.23m prizemoney

Riff Rocket - six wins, three G1s, $3.49m prizemoney

Without A Fight - two wins, two G1s, $8.26m prizemoney

The nominees in each category have obtained the most votes from more than 70 handicappers, form analysts and members of the nation's racing media.

Chris Waller (G1 Trainer of the Year), James McDonald (G1 Jockey of the Year) and I Am Invincible (Champion Sire) have all had their awards confirmed already, but they will be honoured at the ceremony.

The remaining categories and nominees can be found below:

CHAMPION 2YO

Broadsiding

Hayasugi

Lady Of Camelot

Manaal

Storm Boy

CHAMPION 3YO COLT/GELDING

Celestial Legend

Cylinder

Riff Rocket

Veight

Warmonger

CHAMPION 3YO FILLY

Autumn Angel

Stefi Magnetica

Tropical Squall

Orchestral

Zardozi

CHAMPION SPRINTER

Asfoora

Bella Nipotina

Imperatriz

I Wish I Win

Think About It

CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE

Alligator Blood

Fangirl

Mr Brightside

Pride Of Jenni

Romantic Warrior

CHAMPION STAYER

Circle Of Fire

Fawkner Park

Riff Rocket

The Map

Without A Fight

CHAMPION JUMPER

Bell Ex One

Count Zero

Port Guillaume

Stern Idol

Wil Joh