Bella Verona Inglis Bracelet success marked the biggest victory of her career as the four-year-old mare captured the $350,000 contest at Flemington on Oaks Day for trainer Matt Laurie. She defeated Sass Appeal, while Group 1 winner Fireball Miss finished third.
Purchased by Laurie for $90,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Bella Verona continued her impressive progress with another significant success. The daughter of Castelvecchio was offered by Arrowfield, which co-bred her with Waltrin.
The mare improved her career record to four wins and three minor placings from seven starts, taking her total earnings to $307,000. Her spring campaign proved particularly successful, with three victories from four starts.
Bella Verona Inglis Bracelet Victory Followed Strong Spring Campaign
Laurie expressed satisfaction with the mare’s performance and explained that the application of blinkers helped sharpen her up for the race. He also praised her determination in the closing stages after she had overcome an earlier health setback.
Bella Verona previously suffered a bout of colic that required surgery. She returned to racing during the second half of her three-year-old season and continued to develop with each preparation.
Laurie said the stable had always held the mare in high regard and believed she had considerable potential. He also highlighted her strong finishing effort in the Inglis Bracelet.
Arrowfield’s Jon Freyer celebrated the victory, drawing comparisons with Verona Rose, another daughter of Castelvecchio who won the 2025 Inglis Bracelet. Both mares were purchased from Arrowfield’s Inglis Classic drafts for less than $100,000.
Verona Rose subsequently established herself as a Group 2 winner and multiple Group placegetter, further highlighting the success of the Inglis Race Series.
Before the main contest, UK racing media personality Frankie Foster judged the Best Turned Out award and selected Sass Appeal, trained by Danny O’Brien, as the best-presented horse. Her strapper, James Brownley, received the $500 prize.
The Inglis Race Series was scheduled to return to Flemington on Saturday with the $400,000 Listed Inglis Banner for two-year-olds. The programme also included another Best Turned Out award and an Inglis Pink Bonus of up to $200,000.
Bella Verona Inglis Bracelet victory at Flemington delivered the biggest career success for trainer Matt Laurie, extending the mare’s impressive spring campaign.
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