Class prevailed in the G3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) on Saturday when Western Empire powered home to post his 11th black-type victory for leading trainers Grant and Alana Williams.
Racing first-up on the first day of the Belmont season, Western Empire (NZ) came off the back of Sentimental Hero (Al Maher) into the straight and then let down for Willie Pike to run down Rope Them In (Playing God).
“They put the handbrake on early and that made it a bit scrappy but I was happy to bide my time,” Pike reported. “I always thought we could win with clear running but Rope The In is a good horse and is hard to pass.
Western Empire wins a second Belmont Sprint / Western Racepix
“He’s getting on and does take some management with Grant and Alana but he’s still going strong and makes me look good.” It was the veteran galloper’s second win in the Belmont Sprint and it came a day after Pike learned he will be inducted into the WA Hall Of Fame.
Western Empire (8g Iffraaj – Western Jewel by Jeune) was bred by Peters Investments and came of age in their cerise and white silks winning the G2 WA Derby (2400m) and G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in 2021.
Ensuing campaigns with Victorian trainers Danny O’Brien and John Leek didn’t work out and he was sold for $150,000 at the 2023 Inglis October Online Sale. Victorian agent Dean Harvey bought him on behalf of Williams Racing and Andrew Latassa and he’s subsequently earned over $2 million.
“Grant and Alana desperately wanted him back in their stables,” Harvey recalled. “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.”
Western Empire is one of eight winners from G2 Perth Cup (2400m) winner Western Jewel (Jeune) and she was also on-sold by Peters Investments to Darling View Thoroughbreds for $55,000 at the 2023 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale.
Her Playing God yearling colt sold for $140,000 to Neville Parnham at the 2026 Perth Magic Millions and her final foal is an early-season filly by Lightsaber.
Western Empire was one of three winners bred by Peters Investments yesterday starting with Antique Star (Pierro) in the Free Entry To Belmont Park Hcp (2200m). It sent the 5yo mare’s earnings through $250,000 and there’s value-added residual benefits as a half-sister to G3 La Trice Classic (1800m) winner Antique Miss (Domesday).
Their dam Antique Belle (Redoute’s Choice) was a Listed winner of the 2012 Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) and 2014 Jungle Mist Classic (1200m).
Another Pierro mare Astro World claimed the final race for Williams Racing and Willie Pike in the Senturf Hcp (1600m). She was sold by Peters Investments to local owner Alan Carver for $42,500 at the 2026 Magic Millions January Digital Sale.
Her dam Awaken (Dream Ahead) won the LR Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) in 2017. Yarramalong Park bought her for $2,000 at the 2024 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale and her most recent foal for the Queensland-based stud is a filly by Alpine Edge (Better Than Ready).
