Winner Sprinter Bella Nipotina Retires from Racing

Bella Nipotina, one of Australia’s most consistent and durable Australian Female Sprinters, has officially retired from racing. The Ciaron Maher stable confirmed that the seven-year-old mare will not return for another campaign. Instead, she will be offered for sale via a public racehorse auction in May, closing the chapter on an impressive career that saw her compete at the highest level.

Starting training at the partnership of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig in Lindsay Park, Bella Nipotina was a daughter of Pride Of Dubai. She was then taken into care in 2021 by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, coaching who raised her profile as a high-caliber sprinter.

In 56 starts, she scored an impressive 11 wins and placed 26 times, earning more than 22 million in prize money. That makes her second only to the wonderful Winx, who has more career earnings than her. Bella got three Group 1 victories under her belt, the most impressive being the 2024 Everest, where she beat some of her best rivals from the beautiful Australian Female Sprinters.

In conjunction with thoughts that were passed around concerning a last campaign during the Brisbane winter carnival, her owning group finally buckled and decided that it would be ideal for her to abstain from racing.

The career of scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis was succinctly summed up by trainer Ciaron Maher as consistently competitive.

“Bella was the most consistent and toughest racehorse auction I have ever had the pleasure to train. She has given me some of my biggest moments in racing and has had a wonderful career. I feel honored to have been a part of her journey, and the last 12 months have shown the true makings of a genuine Australian Female Sprinter,” Maher shared on social media.

Her regular jockey, Craig Williams, who partnered with her for seven of her 11 wins, also spoke about her impact on his career.

“Her strength, sassy personality, and determination on the track were truly special. She will always hold a place in my heart,” Williams said in a tribute.

Williams rode Bella Nipotina in many of her most memorable performances, including her Everest victory. Her ability to compete consistently against elite competition made her a standout in Australian racing.

Bella Nipotina’s retirement, truly marking the end of an era in Australian sprinting, is another chapter closed. Few mares have been as reliable and tough for several seasons as she has been. Her early days as a good two-year-old leading to her status as a leading Australian Female Sprinter have left a legacy of hard-fought victories, combining strength and will to win.

Bella Nipotina will almost certainly attract great interest at the auction for racehorses with a future in breeding. Her racing ability and pedigree make her a potential producer of future standout Australian Female Sprinter progeny. For breeders, much effort will go into her acquisition, as she is a valuable asset to this Australian bloodline.

Every race she ran showed her determination and tenacity, and therefore her legacy will be remembered not only for the titles she won but for the spirit she brought to all her racing. Bella Nipotina considered herself racing among the best and established her rightful place with them, leaving an imprint on this sport.

As she emerges into this next phase of life, her accomplishments still form a major part of Australia’s racing history. Her name will be mentioned in the same breath as other Australian Female Sprinters of her time, but her impact on the sport will be felt long after her last race.