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Icebath leads home Inglis graduates' trifecta in G1 Empire Rose

29th Oct 2022

There wasn’t a horse in training around the nation that deserved a G1 win more than Icebath and today at Flemington, the admirable mare scored the most deserving of victories at the top level.

Heading into the G1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington, the Brad Widdup-trained Icebath was already the earner of $4.6m in prizemoney thanks to five G1 placings, a further six Stakes placings and victory in last year’s $2m The Invitation.

Despite the broad success of her career, Icebath had yet to win a black type race prior to today but she has now joined the illustrious G1 club, and nobody begrudges her of that.

In a big result, Icebath (pictured) defeated the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Mirra Vision and Ben and JD Hayes’ Excelida in today’s Empire Rose in another G1 trifecta for Inglis graduates.

Widdup purchased Icebath for just $100,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Sledmere Stud.

She is bred by Waikato Stud, who enjoyed a mighty day as the co-owners of I Wish I Win, who won the $10m Golden Eagle at Rosehill.

Sledmere’s Royston Murphy was thrilled with the result, which came just seven days after the Sledmere-sold Arksansaw Kid won the $500,000 Inglis Banner, as well as the inaugural $200,000 Inglis Pink Bonus at Moonee Valley.

“It’s just so exciting to be involved in this mare’s success, she’s been an absolute beauty and to have offered her at Classic on behalf of Waikato Stud is very satisfying,’’ Murphy said.

“We’ve got a strong draft of over 40 yearlings for Classic next year, which again contains many Waikato horses so we’re already looking forward to that and to selling our next Icebath.’’

The catalogue for next year’s Classic Yearling Sale will be confirmed next month.

Icebath becomes the 78th G1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018 and one of 36 who could have been bought for $100,000 or less, while her earnings now surpass $5.2m.

Her win comes a week after fellow consistent mare Bella Nipotina – an Inglis Premier graduate – scored a deserving G1 win in the Manikato Stakes having been placed three times at the top level prior.

Earlier on today’s program, the regally-bred Argentia (Frankel x Princess Coup) relished a return to the Flemington straight course with a stunning victory in the G3 Rising Fast Stakes.

Not since her debut win 16 months ago had the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mare raced down the straight but she yet again showed her liking for the unique course with another dominant display.

Argentia is raced by John and Deb Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds, having been purchased by James Harron for $670,000 at the Easter Yearling Sale, where she was offered by her breeder Tony Bott of Evergreen Stud.

She has now won three of her nine starts and appears destined for much more Stakes success.

“What an absolute thrill to see those Fairway colours salute on Derby Day,’’ a delighted Deb Camilleri said.

“Sam and Anthony have done such a wonderful job with the mare.’’

The Freedman’s will now give thought to backing Argentia up in next Saturday’s G1 Champions Sprint at Flemington before targeting the G1 Newmarket Handicap - again up the Flemington straight – next autumn.

Meanwhile in Sydney, Private Eye continued his spectacular spring when winning the $3m Nature Strip Stakes at Rosehill.

For Nick Dimitrakis – who purchased 5% of Private Eye on Inglis Digital just last month for $60,000 – today was “what dreams are made of’’.

“I’m lost for words, I thought the win at Flemington first-up was amazing but then to run second in The Everest and now win this $3m race, this is out of control.’’

The Joe Pride-trained Private Eye – who represented Inglis in The Everest a fortnight ago – will back up next Saturday in the G1 Champions Mile at Flemington.

And in Perth tonight Miss Conteki (Eurozone) continued her amazing record over the 1000m at Ascot with a dominant win in the G3 Prince Of Wales Stakes.

The Simon Miller-trained 6YO mare has now raced nine times at the track over the sprint trip for eight wins and a second.

Today’s win took her overall career record to 11 wins from 16 starts and $500,000 in prizemoney.

She’s a $55,000 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale purchase for Amelia Park Racing and Breeding from the Coolmore draft.