‘She gave me my biggest win’: Trainer Lees mourns loss of Queen Elizabeth Stakes-winning mare Lucia Valentina

Trainer Kris Lees learned of the passing of his former topliner Lucia Valentina the same day one of her last surviving foals returned to training at his Newcastle stables.

Trainer Kris Lees with Lucia Valentina back in 2014. Picture: David Caird

Trainer Kris Lees learned of the passing of his former topliner Lucia Valentina the same day one of her last surviving foals returned to training at his Newcastle stables.

Lucia Valentina, who won three Group 1 races including the 2016 Queen Elizabeth Stakes and earned more than $4.3 million prizemoney, suffered a colic attack on Wednesday. She was 14.

• Enriched by Winx: Collett makes winning a family affair

“It was sad to learn what happened to Lucia Valentina, she was an outstanding horse and probably gave me my biggest win as a trainer in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes,” Lees said.

“But I’m fortunate to have one of her foals, an I Am Invincible filly that John Singleton purchased at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale earlier this year and has named Erin Jo.

“Ironically, the filly has just come back into my stables to start training for her two-year-old season.”

• Boom filly can add to McEvoy’s Spring Glow

Lucia Valentina has only had three foals to race, the talented Luella Cristina who was Group 1-placed in the Levin Classic last year, the best performed one.

The mare has a yearling colt by Per Incanto in New Zealand

Meanwhile, at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, Lees will saddle up two starters with Bubba’s Bay contesting the Mounties Group Handicap (1200m) and Ucalledit in the Bankstown Sports Handicap (1500m).

Bubba’s Bay won three Brisbane races in succession before resuming with minor placings at Randwick and Rosehill, the latter when beaten less than a length behind Kazou and Terra Mater over the 1200m course two weeks ago.

“I realise Bubba’s Bay is in a tough race but she is going very well,” Lees said.

“We had her in at Doomben as well but she drew awkwardly there so we are happy to stay home and run her at Rosehill.”

What a win to Kazou at Rosehill! 😮

She comes from last to win and it's trebles to @mcacajamez and @cwallerracing! pic.twitter.com/5S6LpEgEiR

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 17, 2024

• The Everest wildcard on track for Group 1 tilt

Bubba’s Bay seems generous odds at $26 in fixed odds markets behind $4 favourite Willaidow.

Ucalledit is also at big odds of $23 after a pleasing comeback effort when fifth to Tom Kitten at Rosehill two weeks ago.

“I thought Ucalledit turned his form around at big odds the other day,” Lees said. “He has drawn a bit sticky (barrier 10) but I’m happy with how he has trained on and he should run a competitive race.”