Image credit: Kerry Millard, Oaklands Stud
By Tony McMahon
It is often said that a picture paints 1000 words.
As recently as just last Saturday, I have been asked “what became of that lovely grey mare you had – Paradis Imperial?”
Tagged the QTIS Queen – Paradis Imperial was a thoroughbred of a lifetime for me as her trainer, wife Jean and our other owner friends.
When this magnificent picture taken by Kerry Millard arrived from Oaklands Stud on Tuesday, I felt it had to be shared.
Paradis Imperial, a daughter of Instinction and Hennessey Beau was the 2016/17 QTIS 2YO champion.
In fact, during that unforgettable 2016-17 racing season, she won seven races as a 2YO becoming the most prolific winner of her age throughout Australia.
It’s an achievement I am proud of; that a country filly trained in the main alongside a car in a Stanwell paddock could reach such amazing heights.
Stable named “Esmee”, she won her first five races straight culminating with a win at Eagle Farm, carrying 58kg on January 21, 2017 - her first under such a weight for a Rockhampton-trained 2YO filly.
In the majority of her wins, Paradis Imperial was ridden by Nathan Day who had a great affinity for his “strawberry roan.”
In March that year, this beautiful and tenacious grey filly Paradis imperial won with 63kg at Callaghan Park.
She capped her exceptional juvenile career winning the $100,000 Townsville 2YO Classic (previously the Parry Nissan Stakes) in July 2017.
Paradis Imperial raced on to win another three races before weight finally caught up with her and she was retired sound after being unplaced under 63.5kg at Callaghan Park on May 5, 2019.
At her first year at stud, Esmee was a reluctant young lass in the spring of 2019.
Her behaviour was quite naughty at times and “missed” regularly after being served by Power (GB) at Oaklands Stud in Toowoomba.
As this photo attests this season, she is loving life and looks a picture of health and contentment being heavily in foal to Power - due to become a mother in September.
Power was a 2YO champion in Ireland, winning on four occasions, so let’s hope his courting Paradis Imperial make for a match made in heaven.
Purchased for $9000 at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sales, Paradis Imperial won ten races and was placed on another 11 occasions, winning $379,975 in prize money.