Ciaron Maher’s stable has announced that seven-year-old Bella Nipotina will not return for another racing preparation.
The 2024 Everest winner was potentially being targeted for the Brisbane winter carnival, but the ownership group has decided she will be sold at public auction in May.
A daughter of Pride Of Dubai, Bella Nipotina started her career with David & Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig at Lindsay Park, before transferring to the care of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in 2021.
Retiring as a four-time Group 1 winner with a record of 11 wins and 26 placings from 56 starts, Bella earned over $22 million in prize money, ranking her second only to Winx.
“She was the most consistent and toughest racehorse I have ever had the pleasure to train,” Maher said. “I feel honoured to have been a part of her journey.”
Jockey Craig Williams, who rode Bella Nipotina in seven of her wins, including The Everest, said her retirement marks the end of an incredible journey.
Below are the top earners in Australian racing:
| Rank | Horse | Career Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winx | $26.45 million |
| 2 | Bella Nipotina | $22.75 million |
| 3 | Nature Strip | $20.75 million |
| 4 | Mr Brightside | $17.38 million |
| 5 | Redzel | $16.4 million |