'The quintessential Australian racehorse' - Bella Nipotina confirmed for Inglis Chairman’s Sale

Inglis have been elected to sell the four-time Group 1-winning sprinter Bella Nipotina and she will go through the ring at their Chairman’s Sale at Riverside on Thursday, May 8.

Having won 11 of her 57 starts and placed in a further 26, the reigning Everest champion was retired on Tuesday, with her prize-money earnings of A$22,757,624 placing her second behind only Winx on the highest earners list in Australia.

Trained by Ciaron Maher throughout most of her career, having started life with David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Bella Nipotina earned a Timeform rating of 123 and was the first, and currently only, female to win Randwick's $20 million sprint. 

Bred by Longwood Thoroughbred Farm’s Michael Christian, who raced her with his wife Siobhan Miller and his brother Brad, Tim and Bronny Porter, Wayne and Vicki Pelchen, Mick and Alise Johnston and Andy Ingersole, Bella Nipotina will be offered at the boutique sale as a breeding prospect.

“The night is going to be a real celebration of her achievements and it’s going to be all about her and recognising what she’s achieved, it’s going to be a special night for sure, a memorable night,’’ Christian said.

“I just feel so humbled and proud that she earned a reputation of being so tough and uncompromising. That’s what I’m most proud of, that she was never beaten far when she was beaten and that earned her enormous respect from the racing fraternity and we will celebrate all that is Bella Nipotina at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in May.’’

Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch said was 'incredibly grateful' to be handed the opportunity to sell Bella Nipotina at this year's Chairman's Sale.

“She is one of the most accomplished racehorses in Australian racing history, so it’s a real honour for Inglis to have the opportunity to bring her to market at the Chairman’s Sale,’’ Hutch said.

“Bella Nipotina is the quintessential Australian racehorse, a high-class two-year-old who thrived in competition, progressing to become a world-class, uncompromising sprinter with an insatiable will to win.

“On a very practical level, she possesses a series of attributes that would be desirable in any quality racehorse and for that reason alone it is exciting to think what she might be capable of achieving as a broodmare. 

“We are incredibly grateful to the ownership group for their support of Inglis and are excited to share with them what is going to be a special night at Riverside on May 8.’’

Bella Nipotina will be joined at the sale by the likes of high-class mare I Am Me, who was announced as part of the sale on Tuesday, Group 1 winner Royal Merchant, top-flight placegetter Semana, and Group winners Estriella and Honey Girl.

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