Superstar mare Imperatriz will go up for public auction at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
The hammer will be raised for rights on the 10-time Group 1-winner as part of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
She is due to be sold about 4.30pm, and is Lot 587.
TJ Smith Stakes winner Chain Of Lightning, who has won $2.7m prizemoney, was bought by Yulong Investments for $2.5 million.
WATCH LIVE: 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale
Despite having an open invite to Royal Ascot, a trip abroad seems unlikely with Yulong boss Vin Cox hinting they are likely to target races in Australia while she is still in the peak of her career.
Confirming their position as one of the most dominant forces in the mares market, Cox said Yulong were keen to be a player in the Magic Millions mares sale.
“Without giving too much away, there are some nice mares here, we have been bidding on a few and we have been beaten on a few,” Cox said.
Chain Of Lightning wins the TJ Smith Stakes.
“I don’t know if we will be putting her on the plane to Europe at this stage, we will have a chat to Peter (Moody). There are some good options here in Australia as well.
“She’s arguably racing in as good a form as she’s ever run having won a TJ Smith, that is outstanding sprint form.”
Having run in the Doomben 10,000 earlier this month and already in Queensland, Cox said she could well hang around in Queensland for another Group 1 assignment.
“The obvious race for her is something like the (Tattersall’s) Tiara, but again, we will talk to Peter about that.”
Imperatriz is tipped to break the record for the most expensive broodmare sold in Australia, which is $5 million for Milanova in 2008.
“There is no doubt Imperatriz will attract global interest and will be the headline act of the auction calendar internationally,” Te Akau principal David Ellis said last month.
“Currently rated the world’s best mare, her outstanding achievements speak volumes about her exceptional talent and tenacity on the track.
“She won more Group 1 races than any other horse world-wide in 2023, solidifying her status as one of the greatest race mares of recent decades.”
American business tycoon John Stewart declared he will go up to $6 million to buy Imperatriz at the Magic Millions sale.
“She fits right in to what I am looking for,” Stewart told Racenet earlier this month.
“She is on our list and there are a few more at that Magic Millions sale we are looking for.
“I think she goes for between $5m and $6m … $6m probably buys her and I would be willing to pay that for her.
Other lots of interest include Thousand Guineas winner Madame Pommery (Lot 487), and Robert Sangster Stakes winner Ruthless Dame (Lot 624).