Empire Rose (1982 - 2002) was one of the most popular Thoroughbred mares to race in New Zealand and Australia. She was a gigantic chestnut, only just fitting into the barrier stalls in Melbourne. Trained by Laurie Laxon, one of New Zealand's foremost trainers, at the Laurie Laxon Racing Stables at Cambridge, New Zealand, Empire Rose raced 48 times for nine wins and eight placings for NZ$2,644,234 (A$1.95 million). Among her major successes were the 1987 New Zealand Cup, the 1988 LKS Mackinnon Stakes, the 1988 Melbourne Cup and the 1989 Trentham Stakes.