Peters Investments-bred veteran Western Empire returned to the scene of his greatest triumphs with a powerful victory in the G3 Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Western Empire (Iffraaj) drew wide in the $1.5 million Gold Rush but was always travelling for visiting jockey Billy Egan before letting down to win comfortably from Magnificent Andy (Magnus) and Super Smink (Super One).
Foaled down in New Zealand on the same day WA-bred stayer Boom Time (Flying Spur) won the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in 2017, he was sent to Perth in March 2018 and has never looked back with trainers Grant and Alana Williams.
Western Empire won 7 of his first 12 starts in the cerise and white silks for owner-breeders Bob and Sandra Peters. He claimed the G2 WA Derby (2400m) in April of 2021 and finished that year with a dominant four-length victory in the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m).
Ensuing campaigns with Victorian trainers Danny O’Brien and John Leek didn’t work out as planned and he was placed on the market at the 2023 Inglis October (Early) Online Sale. Victorian agent Dean Harvey bought him on behalf of Williams Racing and Andrew Latassa for $150,000 and he’s subsequently earned over $1.18 million.
“Grant and Alana desperately wanted him back in their stables,” Harvey said on Sunday. “He was obviously a high class horse who had lost his way a little bit but Grant always held the key to him and it’s great that he’s back somewhere near his best.
“I remember straight after that Inglis Digital Sale there were four or five calls from trainers in Perth who were keen to prepare him. He was obviously very popular and $150,000 looks cheap in hindsight!”
Peters Investments bred him from their G2 Perth Cup (2400m) winner Western Jewel (Jeune). She also foaled their LR Bunbury Stakes (1400m) winner Western Temple (Dream Ahead) before changing hands for $55,000 at the 2023 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale.
Now with Darling View Thoroughbreds, she delivered a colt by Playing God at the Mundijong stud in August.
Williams and Andrew Latassa