The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old filly Quinceanera (Pierro), a daughter of the great Winx who made headlines when selling for a record-breaking A$10 million to Debbie Kepitis's Woppitt Bloodstock at the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, has been retired without making it to the racetrack.
Owner Woppitt Bloodstock confirmed the decision via X, stating, “We made the tough decision to retire her following veterinary advice and in consultation with Chris Waller.”
Quinceanera was the star attraction of the 2024 Inglis Easter sale, where a dramatic bidding duel saw American owner John Stewart, who had publicly declared in the lead-up, “We're 100% buying the Winx filly”, emerge as the underbidder. Stewart later posted, “I am so happy for Debbie. Well played. Lots of respect.”
A visibly emotional Kepitis ultimately secured the filly, continuing her association with the legendary mare Winx, whom she raced in partnership with Peter and Patty Tighe's Magic Bloodstock and the late Richard Treweeke.
Kepitis later revealed that she had not initially intended to buy the filly when the decision was made to offer her at auction, but had a change of heart in the weeks leading up to the sale.
“I didn't come here to buy this horse originally,” she said. “We put her up for auction and then in the last few weeks, all of the family, we started to miss our daughter, granddaughter, so we just decided as best we could, if we could get her we would.
“I'm privileged to be able to secure this filly on behalf of my family to be able to see if she can get to the racetrack. If she can't get to the racetrack she'll be an amazing mum.
“She's Australian forever.”
While her racing career never materialised, Quinceanera now transitions to the next phase of her career with considerable residual value as a broodmare prospect.
A little video of our girl Quinceanera in the stable before we made the tough decision to retire her following veterinary advice and in consultation with Chris Waller. Although disappointing, it's in her best interest to now begin her career as a broodmare. @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/LF9wCOQzZg
— Woppitt Bloodstock (@WoppittB) April 7, 2026
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