The $1.5million Group I WATC Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) is the highlight event in Australian racing on Saturday and it’s a good time to reflect on arguably the most impressive winner of this race in recent years as her first foal will be offered at Magic Millions in January.
A homebred for Bob and Sandra Peters, Graceful Girl was a progressive stakes-winning mare going into the Winterbottom, but came out of it covered in glory following a remarkable ride from Willie Pike.
The Grant and Alana Williams trained mare went back to last from the outside gate and showed a rare brand of acceleration to mow down her rivals and win by nearly three lengths.
Soundness issues curtailed the career of Graceful Girl not long after that freakish victory and the daughter of Nicconi was retired after three unplaced runs in the Eastern States the following spring.
Widden Stud seized the opportunity to purchase Graceful Girl at the 2023 Inglis Chairman’s Sale paying $1.1million to secure the well related mare.
She is a half-sister to G2 winners Respondent and State Solicitor from G2 winner Avenida Madero, an exceptional producer that left 10 winners from 10 foals to race!
Graceful Girl was covered by Widden’s champion sire Zoustar in her first year at stud and the result of that mating is a filly that will be offered in the Widden draft at Magic Millions as Lot 330.
Graceful Girl obliged with another filly this spring by the late champion sire Snitzel.
