The retired champion Imperatriz will have a race named after her from this season’s Cox Plate Day, with the open 1000-metre handicap now renamed the Imperatriz Sprint.
The race’s prizemoney will rise from $150,000 to $200,000 and will be run over the same course where Imperatriz claimed the Group 2 McEwen Stakes and G1 Moir Stakes in 2023.
In the Moir, she set The Valley’s 1000-metre course record at 56.47 seconds.
Imperatriz retired with an unbeaten five-win record at The Valley, including the 2023 G1 Manikato Stakes and both the 2023 and 2024 G1 William Reid Stakes, becoming one of only three dual winners alongside Apache Cat and Black Caviar.
“Imperatriz retired as the highest-rated sprinting mare in the world,” the Moonee Valley Racing Club said, noting her $6.6 million sale to Yulong Investments.
Now in foal to Pierata, Imperatriz is thriving in her broodmare role, marking a fitting tribute as the William Reid Stakes celebrates its 100th year.
