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The exceptional mare Bella Nipotina, sired by Pride Of Dubai, achieved her third career Gr.1 victory at the Tatt's Tiara at Eagle Farm, elevating her earnings to nearly US$11 million.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, Bella Nipotina has demonstrated remarkable consistency, never finishing worse than sixth in her last 17 starts and coming within 2.3 lengths of the winner in 16 of those races.
Over the past three months, she has competed in multiple states across Australia, participating in four Gr.1 races during the Brisbane Winter Carnival and finishing in the quinella on each occasion, including two wins.
Despite having to race three-wide without cover from barrier 17, jockey Ryan Maloney expertly guided her to an effortless victory.
The 6YO mare will now undergo a period of rest before being prepared for the US$20 million The Everest race at Randwick in October.
Bella Nipotina, bred and raced by Michael Christian, was acquired for just US$80,000 from the Rosemont Stud draft at the Premier Yearling Sale by Lindsay Park, Andrew Williams, and Mt Hallowell Stud.
She is among the 99 individual Group One -winning Inglis graduates since 2018, with 44 of them being purchasable for US$100,000 or less during that period.
Following her latest victory, Christian described Bella Nipotina as a "freak".
“I’m numb all over, I’m just in awe of her,’’ a delighted Christian said.
“It’s been an amazing day and she’s an amazing mare, a freak of a mare. In 51 starts before today, she’d only started favourite two or three times and while she doesn’t know the odds, it was quite nerve-racking today knowing so many people had backed her and I was just happy for the mare that she was able to deliver for those who had their money on her.
“The Everest is the clear goal now. Based on what she’s done against the absolute best sprinters – not only up here in Queensland but her 2nd in the Gr.1 TJ Smith she beat home some very good horses that day – I think she’s proven once and for all she can mix it with and defeat the best.’’
Winning trainer Maher added: “She’s just phenomenal, I don’t know what else to say about her.
“To race in all four [Grade Ones in Brisbane] and be as good in the last as she was in the first, and that’s on the back of going to Perth and running in the autumn in Sydney, it’s phenomenal.’’