Royal Esprit 11/8/2008

ROYAL WINNER FOR BEL ESPRIT
11 August 2008
The 1200 metre welter at Rosehill on Saturday was won by progressive Bel Esprit four year-old Royal Esprit, a $160,000 purchase from the draft of Huntworth Stud at the 2006 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Transferred to John Hawkes at the start of this preparation, Royal Esprit has blossomed winning four of his five starts since resuming with a win on May 31.
The powerful bay stormed home to win for in-form jockey Glyn Schofield and can doubtless be placed to further advantage in coming weeks, his overall record now standing at five wins and $128,500 from 13 starts.
Royal Esprit is an interesting horse as he won an early season barrier trial as a two year-old and looked a good horse in the making when fourth to Murtajill in the Listed AJC Breeders Plate, but it has taken until now for him to fulfil that early potential.
Bred and offered for sale by Peter Stewart and Bridget-Woodford-Smith of Huntworth Stud, Royal Esprit is the first foal of the Brief Truce (USA) mare Floribunda, a half-sister to Group Three winning sprinter Stormy Regent.
He is one of a number of smart gallopers sired by Eliza Park’s Bel Esprit , who covered a record 266 mares last spring at a fee of $20,000.
This spring his fee has been raised to $33,000 and one mare definitely going to visit him is the John Symons trained Danehill (USA) mare Admiral’s Lady who won the last race at Flemington on Saturday.