Better Life Booked to Sebring

A brilliant winner of the Singapore Derby Sng Gr 1 at Kranji on Sunday, superstar mare Better Life has been confirmed by Widden Stud as being booked to Golden Slipper winner Sebring this spring.

In his post race interview, Better Life’s trainer Hideyuki Takaoka broke the news of her impending retirement.

“I spoke with the owners before the Derby and they have decided to send her to Australia to become a broodmare. I think they have even chosen the stallion, Sebring,” said Takaoka.

“They obviously don’t want to overrace her as it’s not good for a mare to be too tired with racing if she is to become a mother. But look, there is always a chance, no matter how small, they may change their minds, but as we speak today, she has run her last race in Singapore.

“I’m of course very sad I won’t train such a good mare anymore, but I have to respect the owners’ decision. I am 100% behind them.”

A three-time Group I winner in Singapore, Australian bred mare Better Life is a beautifully bred daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones from Sunday Silence mare Quiet Life (USA), a daughter of US Group I winner Storm Song.

“Better Life has been a sensational racemare and we are thrilled to have her coming to Widden Stud to visit Sebring,” said Ryan McEvoy of Widden Stud.

“Mr Takaoka visited Widden after the Easter sale and was naturally taken away with the beauty and professionalism of the stud, so has elected to retire the mare here.

“Satomi Fletcher, representing the owner, booked her in to Sebring a while ago and she will be a great addition to what will be an outstanding book of mares for him this spring.”

Sebring has made a magnificent start to his stud career siring 15 first crop winners of $1.3 million including eight individual stakes horses led by Group II winner Criterion and stakes-winners Dissident and Bring a Ring, while unbeaten Pitcrew looms as a potential spring stakes-winner.

The Golden Slipper winning son of More Than Ready (USA) stands at a fee of $38,500.