Iron filly Bella Nipotina is set to enjoy a well-deserved break after taking third place in Saturday’s Group 1 Champions Sprint at Flemington.

The Ciaron Maher-trained filly is expected to return to racing in 2025, with the exact schedule for her next campaign yet to be determined.

“If he’s going to go to a breeding barn, it’s too late now, so I guess he’ll take a break and come back in the fall,” part-owner Michael Christian said.

“It’s entirely up to Ciaron where he goes, there are a few options for him next year so we’ll wait and discuss that going forward, but it’s up to him.”

Christian gave great credit to Maher and his team, as well as jockey Craig Williams.

Saturday’s race was the final race in a year in which Bella Nipotina became the second-highest prize money winner in Australian racing history, thanks to wins in The Everest and Russell Balding Stakes, as well as group one victories in the Doomben 10,000 and Tattersall’s. Crown.

“The word incredible gets thrown around, but it’s incredible,” Christian said.

“Considering he came back in the Brisbane winter, the idea would be to have two starts, see how it goes and then potentially retire.

“He had four starts, won two Group 1s, was narrowly beaten in two other Group 1s, was extremely unlucky in Concorde and Premiere and then to win Everest and Russell Balding is just incredible, really incredible.

“I’ve been involved in breeding and racing for a long time but this is a dream come true.”

Bella Nipotina, who was tipped as the $4.40 favourite, only finished third to Sunshine In Paris and Right To Party, while Christian was praised for his seven-year-old mare’s effort.

“He was brave again,” Christian said.

“It was an incredible journey.

“I know Sunshine In Paris came back from the Rosehill race last week but she hasn’t raced that much over the spring so full credit to her, she was fantastic, but again our girl was brave, she never failed to disappoint and her integrity and courage is second to none. ”