News

Better Life claims Singapore Derby on her way back to Australia

15th Jul 2013

Australian bred and Inglis sold galloper Better Life capped off a tremendous racing career on Sunday when claiming the S$1.15 million Group 1 Singapore Derby over 2000m.

Better Life ($150,000 2010 Easter, 4m Smarty Jones-Quiet Life) was a clear favourite with punters and the racing public to claim Singapore’s most prestigious domestic event and she did not disappoint, racing away to a strong victory at Kranji over Wild Geese and Tropaios.

Replay of Better Life’s Singapore Derby win can be viewed online HERE

The victory was a tremendous training effort by Hideyuki Takaoka which had his mighty mare first up since the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup in May.

“I wasn’t too concerned about her going into the Derby without any prep runs since the SIA Cup. We’ve done everything there was to do with her, bearing in mind she is a filly, and to me, she had enough work and I was confident she would be fit for the Derby,” said Takaoka.

Immediately after the race connections confirmed that the triple Group 1 winner would be retired back to the country she was born, raised and sold.

Bred by Jananth Pty Ltd, Better Life was sold to her owners the Suzuka Racing Stable for $150,000 from the draft of Torryburn Stud at the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Better Life retires with S$2,061,650 in earnings thanks to eight wins and 3 placings from 14 starts.

In addition to the Derby the topline middle-distance performer claimed the first and third legs of last year’s Singapore Triple Crown, the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) and the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) on her way to being crowned Singapore’s Champion Miler and Champion Stayer. The Derby and Gold Cup are Singapore’s two richest domestic events.

Better Life is booked to be covered this coming spring by Widden Stud’s resident stallion Sebring, which has made a strong start to his stud career siring 15 first crop winners of A$1.3 million including Group 2 winner Criterion.

Sunday’s win was Hideyuki Takaoka’s second victory in the Singapore Derby having claimed the race in 2009 with Jolie’s Shinju, which was also retired to stud in Australia at the end of her racing career.

“The first time is always exciting, but winning a second Derby is also a great source of happiness. Both are champion mares, though they are so different in their styles,” Takaoka said.

“Jolie’s Shinju went at the same speed and had so much stamina. This one (Better Life) sits off the pace and has a finishing burst,” explained the winning trainer.

Breeders are reminded that entries are now being taken for the 2014 Inglis Select Yearling Sales Series, including the prestigious Australian Easter Yearling Sale which will be conducted at Newmarket on 8, 9 & 10 April 2014 during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

For more information visit www.inglis.com.au or speak to Inglis’ bloodstock team in Sydney on +61 2 9399 7999 or Melbourne +61 3 9333 1422.