Imperatriz (horse)


Imperatriz is an Australian-bred and New Zealand raced Thoroughbred racehorse, notable for winning nine Group 1 races in New Zealand and Australia. Imperatriz was bred by Raffles Dancers Pty Ltd.

Racing career

Imperatriz was raced by the Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership, managed by Karen Fenton-Ellis.
Her initial race training was at Matamata and she had her first race on 26 November 2020 at Otaki, ridden by Danielle Johnson, which she won by a short neck. She continued her career in New Zealand, initially ridden by Danielle Johnson until the end of 2021, then Michael McNab and Opie Bosson. She moved to Te Akau's Australia stables in 2023.
In the 2023 McEwen Stakes, Imperatriz ridden by Michael Dee carrying 56.5 kg, broke the 1000m track record at The Valley when winning in 56.56 seconds. A fortnight later with Opie Bosson aboard she bettered her own track record with a 56.47 second victory in the A J Moir Stakes.
Imperatriz won the Moonee Valley Group 1 Sprint Triple Crown in 2023. In 2024, she was also named New Zealand Champion Sprinter/Miler and New Zealand Horse of the year.

Racing career

The following are the races competed in by Imperatriz:
2020
  • 1st Usabus & Coaches beating Mochatini and Silky Red Fox
2021
2022
2023
2024
In 2025 Imperatriz was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.