Hopes that eight-time G1 winner Imperatriz, the world’s top-rated sprinter, would visit Royal Ascot in 2024 have been dashed after connections outlined a stay-at-home programme next year for the world #3.
The brilliant five-year-old mare shot to the top of the Royal Ascot wishlist when she won her sixth G1 of the year – more than any other horse on the planet – in the Darley Champions Sprint at the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
However, Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis has ruled out any such prospect for Imperatriz, who is now back in training with Mark Walker after a short break.
“After careful consideration, the decision has been made that Imperatriz will resume in the Group 1 VRC Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington in February 2024,” said Ellis in a statement on the Te Akau website. “She will remain in Australia for her autumn campaign, thus will not be travelling to the northern hemisphere.”
Originally trained in New Zealand, Imperatriz began 2023 with victories in a trio of Kiwi Group races before crossing the Tasman as part of the Te Akau satellite operation, since when she has won four G1s in Melbourne to climb to the #3 spot on Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings. Te Akau, the dominant New Zealand-based team, stand at #7 among owners worldwide.
"We have received a number of international approaches and invitations, and have worked diligently through the various options available to our special mare,” Ellis went on. “Our guiding principle is to always make decisions based on what is right for Imperatriz and her continued wellbeing, and longevity, while maximising her further opportunities to win at the elite level.”
Ellis went on to outline two further G1 races for the daughter of I Am Invincible, saying: "Once safely through the Lightning Stakes, Imperatriz will defend her MVRC William Reid Stakes crown at the Valley and then contest the ATC TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick in April 2024.
“She will then return home to Te Akau Stud for a well-deserved spell,” he went on. “Te Akau Racing, together with her owners, are very humbled by respect and huge support Imperatriz (Berri as we know her) has attracted. The warmth of the welcome wherever she steps out underlines how she has truly endeared herself to the public through her huge heart and will to win.”
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