Feature race action returns to Ascot on Saturday with the seventh running of the $100,000 Listed Miss Andretti Stakes (1100m).
The race is named in honour of one of Western Australia’s best sprinters, Miss Andretti, who also showcased her sprinting prowess on the eastern seaboard and internationally.
Miss Andretti, a daughter of Ihtiram, stepped out for her race debut under the guidance of trainer, David Mueller, at Pinjarra in 2005 and went on to win nine of her first 13 starts.
Her first major success arrived nine months later in the Listed Ruabon Stakes (1200m) at Belmont when she edged out Rescuer by a narrow margin.
She claimed the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and Group Three Prince Of Wales Stakes (1200m) before transferring to the stable of leading Victorian trainer, Lee Freedman.
Miss Andretti won 10 races for Freedman including the Manikato Stakes, Schillaci Stakes, Lightning Stakes, Newmarket Handicap and Australia Stakes.
Her most notable win came in 2007 when she won the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in England, breaking the course record over 1000m.
After her international triumph American and European syndicates offered up to $10 million for Miss Andretti, but they were rejected.
Miss Andretti, crowned Australian Horse of the Year in 2007, retired with 19 wins and five placings from 31 starts and prizemoney of $2, 848, 991.
She was inducted into the Western Australian Racing Hall Of Fame in 2012.
The Miss Andretti Stakes, previously known as the Ruabon Stakes, was first run in 2010 and won by Escadaire.
Other winners include: Mekong Miss (2011), Power Princess (2012), Mabel Grace (2013), Hussy By Choice (22014) and Dawn Approach (2015).
RWWA