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| Staff Writer |
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On a sunlit October afternoon at Randwick, Bella Nipotina rewrote racing history by becoming the first mare to capture the world's richest turf race, The Everest, now elevated to Group One status. The 7YO mare's triumph, worth AUD$20 million, wasn't just a victory against the odds – it was the crowning achievement of breeder Michael Christian's 22-year journey in Thoroughbred excellence and a testament to the durability and class that has defined her remarkable career.
The victory shattered three of racing's most formidable barriers: she became the first mare in The Everest's history to claim victory in a race traditionally dominated by geldings and stallions; she overcame the dreaded barrier 12 draw (the widest in the field of 11 – after the late scratching of Traffic Warden); and at seven years of age - when most elite horses are enjoying retirement - she outran competitors several years her junior. These three factors combined to make her triumph one of the most remarkable in Australian racing history.
Drawing barrier 12 in an elite field of 11 runners on a Soft5 track that wasn't ideal, the prospects looked challenging. "The plan was to be really positive and aggressive early, and see if we could get across the field and sit outside the leader," Christian recalls, his voice still carrying the excitement of that moment. "But it didn't quite work out because Storm Boy and Growing Empire kicked up on the inside. So Bella was left three wide without cover."
What followed was a display of raw courage that has now entered Australian racing folklore. Under the masterful guidance of jockey Craig Williams, Bella Nipotina overcame her wide run to engage in a thrilling battle with defending champion Giga Kick in the final furlong.
"I had a sinking feeling that there was no way she could win from there, given the quality of the field," Christian admits. "But she is just so tough and brave and kept trying to the line. I thought for a moment that Giga Kick was going to beat us, but she just kept fighting and managed to put her head in front, which was just incredible."
The margin of victory – 0.2 lengths – tells the story of a performance that saw her hold off multiple challengers, with Growing Empire finishing third and Lady Of Camelot a close fourth.
"She had the hardest run in the race and was still able to win, which I think is a great credit to her. I don't think anyone could argue that it wasn't an outstanding performance." Michael declares.
The victory marked Bella Nipotina's fourth Group One success, but perhaps more remarkably, it came in her 55th career start. Starting as an AUD$80,000 yearling purchase at Book 1 of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for Lindsay Park Racing, Andrew Williams Bloodstock, and Mt Hallowell Stud, she has now amassed earnings that place her third on the all-time prizemoney list in Australia.
Trainer Ciaron Maher, who enjoyed an unforgettable hour by also winning the Caulfield Cup with another runner, has masterfully managed her lengthy career. The partnership with Craig Williams has proven instrumental over the past three years.
"Craig has dropped everything to make sure that he is available to ride Bella," Christian emphasises. "I'm not sure she would have won if anyone else had been on her on Saturday. Craig just knows her so well. So we have a great trainer with the best training, and facilities, a great jockey and then you've got Bella herself who is an absolute star”.
Behind this historic victory lies a tale of perseverance that began two decades ago with a yearling named Bella Inez. The foundation mare would prove her worth immediately, producing Group Two winner and multiple Group 1 placed, Hallowell Belle as her first foal, followed by Group Three winner Fuddle Dee Duddle.
However, tragedy struck when Bella Inez, carrying a Fastnet Rock foal, succumbed to colic. She left behind a five-week-old filly who would be named Bella Orfana – ‘Beautiful Orphan’ in Italian. Though Bella Orfana's own racing career was cut short by a heart condition, her legacy would prove far more significant in the breeding barn as Bella Nipotina's dam.
"To think that you could breed and raise an Everest winner is something that dreams are made of. You just don't think it will ever happen. But it did, and I just feel incredibly proud of Bella ."
The naming tradition has carried through the generations, with Bella Nipotina meaning 'beautiful granddaughter' in Italian, a touching tribute to her granddam's influence on the family.
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The victory celebrations extended throughout the week in Sydney, though Christian's feet remain firmly on the ground having this week returned to Longwood Thoroughbred Farm that he owns with his wife, Siobhan amd brother Brad. "Working on the farm brings you back to Earth pretty quickly," he says with a gentle laugh. "The whole week, our family talked about just enjoying the buildup, the functions, and the race day itself win, lose or draw."
The immediate future remains uncertain for Bella Nipotina. “ The plan at the start of the spring was to contest 4 races culminating in the AUD$3 million Russell Balding Stakes at Rosehill on November 2 but it all depends on how Bella has come through the Everest and whether Ciaron wants press on to that race” Christian said. The mare is also leading the Sports Bet bonus sprint series, with potential bonuses pushing the next prize money opportunity to AUD$4.7 million.
Despite this unprecedented success, Christian's breeding philosophy remains unchanged. "Our philosophy is about breeding young, precocious speed horses," he states. "Our goal has always been to breed a Golden Slipper winner. But in some ways, this was even better. Although Bella raced as an October 2YO, she didn't race in the Golden Slipper, but she raced very competitively at Stakes level as a 2YO."
The commitment to excellence extends to being present for every moment of Bella Nipotina's journey. "We decided almost 18 months ago that surely she hasn't got that long left to race, and Siobhan, Brad and I made a commitment to attend every one of her races all around the nation to ensure we’d be there for her last race. And it’s quite remarkable that we are still going to the races!”
"I just feel so proud. I'm in awe of her in terms of what she's achieved. I just admire her bravery, strength and determination."
The success has reaffirmed Christian's approach to his breeding operation. "Our main business is breeding, and we like to build families by retaining a percentage of our fillies to race where possible," he explains.
But I'm not ruling out that we wouldn't buy a nicely bred filly at some point to race and ultimately breed from ."
As the dust settles on this historic Everest victory, Michael Christian continues his daily duties at Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, where the next generation of champions is already taking shape. The legacy of three generations of remarkable mares – from Bella Inez through to Bella Nipotina – stands as a testament to perseverance, passion, and the enduring spirit of Thoroughbred racing.
In an industry where immediate success is often prioritised, Bella Nipotina's story reminds us that sometimes the most precious victories are those decades in the making. As she prepares for her next challenge at Rosehill, she carries not just the hopes of her connections but the legacy of a breeding programme built on patience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Joining Nature Strip as only the second 7YO to win The Everest, Bella Nipotina's name now sits alongside racing greats like dual winner Redzel, Yes Yes Yes, Classique Legend, and Giga Kick in the honour roll of this prestigious race. However, for Michael Christian, her greatest achievement might be proving that sometimes the longest journeys yield the sweetest victories.