Imperatriz Sells for Southern Hemisphere Record

NZ Racing News reports:

The world’s highest-rated sprinting mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) is now also Australasia’s most-expensive broodmare ever after she was purchased on Tuesday for A$6.6 million.

The 10-time Group One winner was purchased by Yulong after an opening bid of A$4 million progressed by A$250,000 increments to A$6.5 million until the final bid was lodged.

Imperatriz is the premier sprinting mare in the world so far this year with a 119 mark from her Newmarket Handicap defeat at Flemington in March.

Imperatriz, who cost Te Akau principal David Ellis A$360,000 as a yearling, has accrued A$7 million in stakes' earnings from her 19 career wins.

Her dam Berimbau (by Shamardal) fetched A$1.8 million at sale in 2023.

Previously, Milanova (Danehill) held the Australian record when sold for $5 million in 2008, with Sunlight (Zoustar) going for A$4.2 million in 2020 and the following year another Te Akau mare, Avantage (Fastnet Rock), became the world’s most-expensive online purchase when Coolmore bought her for $4.1 million on gavelhouse.com.