Trainers Horses Sts Wins
J Symons 5 52 11
M Price 7 49 10
L Freedman 7 43 6
R Jackson 1 13 5
P Stokes 1 14 5
P Maher 2 14 4
M Ellerton 4 29 4
G Kennewell 1 9 4
S Knight 3 22 4
Top Jockey Sts Wins
C Newett 32 9
A G Robinson 5 4
W J Egan 14 4
Dale Smith 15 4
C D Symons 26 4
G Schofield 5 3
N Souquet 9 3
J Lyon 12 3
D Tourneur 11 3
B Rawiller 13 3
Bel Esprit Owners Club Leaderboard Wins Min.2 winners
Michael Duffy 6 Beau Esprit, Diplomatic Strike
Alastair & Patricia McFarlane 6 Esprit de Roses, Esprit de Bullet
Kevin Sheedy 5 Bel Shoes, Diplomatic Strike, Queen Rene
David & Jenny Moodie 5 Spirited Halo, Ibsen.
Mrs C Slade 5 Belcentra, Seasonality, Tassology
Peter & Brian Donohoe 5 Spirited Halo, Diplomatic Strike
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Owner Spotlight, Alistair McFarlane 29/12/08
OWNER SPOTLIGHT
Alistair McFarlane
Alistair McFarlane is an interesting bloke.
Arriving in Australia from Scotland in the early 1950s, he tried his hand at real estate and kangaroo shooting … moved to Canada and worked in a gold and nickel mine, then in a bank, before switching to an electronics company, ending up as a manager.
Eventually Alistair would secure a Ricoh dealership, selling office equipment, before returning to Australia in the mid 90s.
It was then he purchased Tori Park in South Australia and decided to get involved in the thoroughbred caper. But he and wife Patty have certainly made up for lost time: kicking off with just a couple of mares, Tori Park has produced – since August 2004 – 34 winners from 41 runners.
Amazingly, 21% of them are stakes performers including multiple Group One winner Hollow Bullet, Blahnik (Adelaide Guineas-G3), Red Hot Mama (Myer Stakes-LR) and Elysees (Pewsey Vale Stakes-LR), along with the stakesplaced One of a Kind, Lust for Dust, Sebrie, Thesandmancan and Steel My Heart.
An astonishing record!
A proud shareholder in Champion Victorian Sire, Bel Esprit, Alistair was on hand at Cheltenham on Boxing Day to cheer home first starter, Esprit de Bullet, who notched up yet another city win for Tori Park and the highly prolific mare, Beat The Bullet.
The dam of five winners from five to race, Beat The Bullet has produced Hollow Bullet and Red Hot Mama, while Esprit de Bullet – based on his debut – could well become the third to snare black type.
Alistair is adamant Tori Park is going to produce a champion by Bel Esprit and, based on ‘form’, who could argue?
Meanwhile, Tori Park has a Shamardal from Beat The Bullet to sell at Easter ’09 and as you can see from the accompanying photo, Alistair looks like heading to Sydney again in 2010 with the God’s Own colt foaled on 13 November.
Tori Park will also be front and centre in Adelaide, with a pair of Bel Esprits : namely a filly from Bold Reef (who won 10 of 17 starts with Phillip Stokes) and a colt out of home bred Penny Dane, a daughter of Sydney stakeswinner Penny Row and closely related to black typers Tempestuous, Rich Pageantry, Speedy King and Miss Pageantry
Alistair is currently equal 2nd on the Bel Esprit Owners Club Leaderboard, to be published in the New Year.
Alistair McFarlane
Alistair McFarlane is an interesting bloke.
Arriving in Australia from Scotland in the early 1950s, he tried his hand at real estate and kangaroo shooting … moved to Canada and worked in a gold and nickel mine, then in a bank, before switching to an electronics company, ending up as a manager.
Eventually Alistair would secure a Ricoh dealership, selling office equipment, before returning to Australia in the mid 90s.
It was then he purchased Tori Park in South Australia and decided to get involved in the thoroughbred caper. But he and wife Patty have certainly made up for lost time: kicking off with just a couple of mares, Tori Park has produced – since August 2004 – 34 winners from 41 runners.
Amazingly, 21% of them are stakes performers including multiple Group One winner Hollow Bullet, Blahnik (Adelaide Guineas-G3), Red Hot Mama (Myer Stakes-LR) and Elysees (Pewsey Vale Stakes-LR), along with the stakesplaced One of a Kind, Lust for Dust, Sebrie, Thesandmancan and Steel My Heart.
An astonishing record!
A proud shareholder in Champion Victorian Sire, Bel Esprit, Alistair was on hand at Cheltenham on Boxing Day to cheer home first starter, Esprit de Bullet, who notched up yet another city win for Tori Park and the highly prolific mare, Beat The Bullet.
The dam of five winners from five to race, Beat The Bullet has produced Hollow Bullet and Red Hot Mama, while Esprit de Bullet – based on his debut – could well become the third to snare black type.
Alistair is adamant Tori Park is going to produce a champion by Bel Esprit and, based on ‘form’, who could argue?
Meanwhile, Tori Park has a Shamardal from Beat The Bullet to sell at Easter ’09 and as you can see from the accompanying photo, Alistair looks like heading to Sydney again in 2010 with the God’s Own colt foaled on 13 November.
Tori Park will also be front and centre in Adelaide, with a pair of Bel Esprits : namely a filly from Bold Reef (who won 10 of 17 starts with Phillip Stokes) and a colt out of home bred Penny Dane, a daughter of Sydney stakeswinner Penny Row and closely related to black typers Tempestuous, Rich Pageantry, Speedy King and Miss Pageantry
Alistair is currently equal 2nd on the Bel Esprit Owners Club Leaderboard, to be published in the New Year.
Esprit de Bullet 29/12/08
Impressive debut by Esprit De Bullet
SIMON WHITE
December 29, 2008 12:00am
MARK Lewis has lofty ambitions for Esprit De Bullet, an impressive debut winner of Friday's Evright.com Handicap (1000m) at Cheltenham.
While the former Morphettville trainer's immediate plans for Esprit De Bullet extend only to returning to Ballarat and finding a nice 1200m race in Melbourne, in the longer term he intends to target the $755,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 7.
Esprit De Bullet, a half-brother to 2005 VRC Oaks Winner Hollow Bullet, lived right up to his breeding with a barnstorming finish along the rail to beat favourite Just Sybil by a long neck.
"He's got no idea," Lewis said of the green youngster, who was a handful in the yard pre-race.
"We thought he could probably win but until you get them out there, you never know. He actually had three jump-outs and led in all of them, but he didn't have that speed today."
Esprit De Bullet's win was all the more meritorious because of the chequered passage he had in the straight.
The son of Bel Esprit was twice disappointed for a run but when jockey Craig Robertson spotted a gap the colt sprinted quickly and confidently shouldered his way into the open.
"We'll take him straight back to Ballarat and find a good race for him in the city," Lewis said.
"It was a great ride. The horse is still learning but he's been very well educated.
"He'll be given time to grow and develop and he'll take a lot of benefit from today.
"Down the track we'll look at the Australian Guineas. I reckon he's a miler."
The form behind Esprit De Bullet might be worth following, with runner-up Just Sybil again catching the eye after her brilliant debut at Strathalbyn the previous week.
SIMON WHITE
December 29, 2008 12:00am
MARK Lewis has lofty ambitions for Esprit De Bullet, an impressive debut winner of Friday's Evright.com Handicap (1000m) at Cheltenham.
While the former Morphettville trainer's immediate plans for Esprit De Bullet extend only to returning to Ballarat and finding a nice 1200m race in Melbourne, in the longer term he intends to target the $755,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 7.
Esprit De Bullet, a half-brother to 2005 VRC Oaks Winner Hollow Bullet, lived right up to his breeding with a barnstorming finish along the rail to beat favourite Just Sybil by a long neck.
"He's got no idea," Lewis said of the green youngster, who was a handful in the yard pre-race.
"We thought he could probably win but until you get them out there, you never know. He actually had three jump-outs and led in all of them, but he didn't have that speed today."
Esprit De Bullet's win was all the more meritorious because of the chequered passage he had in the straight.
The son of Bel Esprit was twice disappointed for a run but when jockey Craig Robertson spotted a gap the colt sprinted quickly and confidently shouldered his way into the open.
"We'll take him straight back to Ballarat and find a good race for him in the city," Lewis said.
"It was a great ride. The horse is still learning but he's been very well educated.
"He'll be given time to grow and develop and he'll take a lot of benefit from today.
"Down the track we'll look at the Australian Guineas. I reckon he's a miler."
The form behind Esprit De Bullet might be worth following, with runner-up Just Sybil again catching the eye after her brilliant debut at Strathalbyn the previous week.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Bel Esprit Sales 16/2/06
Bel Esprit Makes His Mark
Thursday 16.02.2006
The first crop progeny of Bel Esprit continue to find some 'very good homes' following another successful round of yearling sales staged in Sydney. The first crop progeny of Bel Esprit continue to find some 'very good homes' following another successful round of yearling sales staged in Sydney. The 2006 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale witnessed progeny of Eliza Park's dual Group 1 winning son of Royal Academy fetch up to $160,000 in the Newmarket sales ring and realise an average of $100,000 from three lots sold. Successful Rosehill-based trainer Lee Curtis purchased the most expensive Bel Esprit yearling sold in Sydney, a bay colt from Floribunda (by Brief Truce*) offered by Huntworth Stud, NSW. Following his successful $160,000 bid, Curtis was quoted as saying: "I think he is outstanding. He looks an early-coming type and is just a beautiful looking colt." The Inglis Classic Yearling Sale also witnessed two other yearlings by Bel Esprit fetch a collective $140,000. A colt from Moralee (by Desert Sun) was sold to Slade Bloodstock for $80,000, and a filly from Sumara (by Kaapstad) knocked down to United Syndications of Victoria for $60,000. Rob Slade of Slade Bloodstock explained that his purchase was made following the strong recommendation of Lee Freedman who rated the son of Bel Esprit one of the very best prospects in the sale. The master trainer was very keen to have the youngster in his Markdel Stables for the 2006/07 racing season and was the driving force behind the purchase. The Bel Esprit filly from Sumara is also expected to enter into a top-flight Victorian stable with Mick Price the preferred trainer of United Syndications. Following the completion of both the Magic Millions Gold Coast and Inglis Classic yearling sales, a very healthy number of Bel Esprit’s first-crop progeny have already been snapped-up by several of Australia’s leading trainers or syndicates immediately associated their stables. These include Lee Freedman, Mick Price, John Symons, Clinton McDonald, Lee Curtis and Rick Worthington who will all have at least one Bel Esprit 2-year-old in their charge in season 2006/07.
Thursday 16.02.2006
The first crop progeny of Bel Esprit continue to find some 'very good homes' following another successful round of yearling sales staged in Sydney. The first crop progeny of Bel Esprit continue to find some 'very good homes' following another successful round of yearling sales staged in Sydney. The 2006 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale witnessed progeny of Eliza Park's dual Group 1 winning son of Royal Academy fetch up to $160,000 in the Newmarket sales ring and realise an average of $100,000 from three lots sold. Successful Rosehill-based trainer Lee Curtis purchased the most expensive Bel Esprit yearling sold in Sydney, a bay colt from Floribunda (by Brief Truce*) offered by Huntworth Stud, NSW. Following his successful $160,000 bid, Curtis was quoted as saying: "I think he is outstanding. He looks an early-coming type and is just a beautiful looking colt." The Inglis Classic Yearling Sale also witnessed two other yearlings by Bel Esprit fetch a collective $140,000. A colt from Moralee (by Desert Sun) was sold to Slade Bloodstock for $80,000, and a filly from Sumara (by Kaapstad) knocked down to United Syndications of Victoria for $60,000. Rob Slade of Slade Bloodstock explained that his purchase was made following the strong recommendation of Lee Freedman who rated the son of Bel Esprit one of the very best prospects in the sale. The master trainer was very keen to have the youngster in his Markdel Stables for the 2006/07 racing season and was the driving force behind the purchase. The Bel Esprit filly from Sumara is also expected to enter into a top-flight Victorian stable with Mick Price the preferred trainer of United Syndications. Following the completion of both the Magic Millions Gold Coast and Inglis Classic yearling sales, a very healthy number of Bel Esprit’s first-crop progeny have already been snapped-up by several of Australia’s leading trainers or syndicates immediately associated their stables. These include Lee Freedman, Mick Price, John Symons, Clinton McDonald, Lee Curtis and Rick Worthington who will all have at least one Bel Esprit 2-year-old in their charge in season 2006/07.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Esprit de Bullet 26/12/08
Cheltenham Races Report
The formidable team of Clare Lindop and Leon Macdonald started the day off well when Dancing Elegance scored a long neck win in the opening event of 1450 metres at Cheltenham on Friday.
Being returned at $4.40 the three year old daughter of Danehill Dancer out of a Kenmare mare Elegant Court, Dancing Elegance was well placed and beat Vetinari $16 for David Hayes and Chad Lever. Tawny Miss $7.50 was another head away, filling the minor placing, for Brain Clarke and Justin Potter.
Guiding the son of High Yield, Southern Fortune $6.50 gave Jeffrey Maund the first of three winners in the 1800 metre second race.
Prepared by John Hickmott and out of the Brocco mare Capital Growth, Southern Fortune was last on settling down and remained in a rearward position for a greater part of the event making his run as the field swung for home.
Southern Fortune beat Forez $26 for Peter Moody and Jason Lyon. A farther long head away third was the David Balfour trained Matthew Neilson ridden Wendy Ellen $3.
The combination of Mark Lewis and Craig Roberson were well pleased when Esprit De Bullet scored a long neck victory in race three which was run over 1000 metres.
A $7 chance at barrier rise and being by Bel Esprit out of the Bite the Bullet mare Beat the Bullet, Esprit De Bullet came from a rearward position and beat Just Sybil $4 for Justin Potter and Brian Mueller.
Taken the Road $3-40 was a farther three quarters of a length away third for Amy Herrmann and her master David Balfour.
The formidable team of Clare Lindop and Leon Macdonald started the day off well when Dancing Elegance scored a long neck win in the opening event of 1450 metres at Cheltenham on Friday.
Being returned at $4.40 the three year old daughter of Danehill Dancer out of a Kenmare mare Elegant Court, Dancing Elegance was well placed and beat Vetinari $16 for David Hayes and Chad Lever. Tawny Miss $7.50 was another head away, filling the minor placing, for Brain Clarke and Justin Potter.
Guiding the son of High Yield, Southern Fortune $6.50 gave Jeffrey Maund the first of three winners in the 1800 metre second race.
Prepared by John Hickmott and out of the Brocco mare Capital Growth, Southern Fortune was last on settling down and remained in a rearward position for a greater part of the event making his run as the field swung for home.
Southern Fortune beat Forez $26 for Peter Moody and Jason Lyon. A farther long head away third was the David Balfour trained Matthew Neilson ridden Wendy Ellen $3.
The combination of Mark Lewis and Craig Roberson were well pleased when Esprit De Bullet scored a long neck victory in race three which was run over 1000 metres.
A $7 chance at barrier rise and being by Bel Esprit out of the Bite the Bullet mare Beat the Bullet, Esprit De Bullet came from a rearward position and beat Just Sybil $4 for Justin Potter and Brian Mueller.
Taken the Road $3-40 was a farther three quarters of a length away third for Amy Herrmann and her master David Balfour.
Queen Rene, Esprit de Bullet 26/12/08
BEL BOXES ON WITH DOUBLE
Those who ‘tuned in’ to the Bel Esprit blog yesterday morning might well have tipped into Queen Rene at Wodonga although, sadly, I wasn’t one!
Nor did yours truly have the foresight to hop on Esprit de Bullet who was having his first start at Cheltenham for Mark Lewis
Interestingly, it was the second time in a month that Bel Esprit has produced an Adelaide-Wodonga double within 24 hours.
But back to Queen Rene. We should have known! Brian Donohoe, who pens the Bel Esprit blog, is great mates with Kevin Sheedy, whose family races Queen Rene.
And Queen Rene, closely related to 2YO Group winners De France and Whistler, won with a leg in the air, taking out her 1200m assignment by over three panels.
There was a lot to like about Esprit de Bullet’s victory at Cheltenham too.
Bred and part-owned by Alastair and Patricia McFarlane, who also own the smart Bel Esprit mare Esprit de Roses, Esprit de Bullet came from last in a flying finish to grab the major prize.
Alastair and Patricia could be forgiven for buying shares in the pharmaceutical firm that distributes Valium after the near heart attacks that the ‘Esprit’ pair have given them over the past couple of weeks.
Esprit de Roses has won and been beaten by a short half head at her two previous runs in town, while Esprit de Bullet’s last gasp victory would have had the ticker pumping as well. Still, we’re tipping that if you asked them, they wouldn’t miss it for quids.
Those who ‘tuned in’ to the Bel Esprit blog yesterday morning might well have tipped into Queen Rene at Wodonga although, sadly, I wasn’t one!
Nor did yours truly have the foresight to hop on Esprit de Bullet who was having his first start at Cheltenham for Mark Lewis
Interestingly, it was the second time in a month that Bel Esprit has produced an Adelaide-Wodonga double within 24 hours.
But back to Queen Rene. We should have known! Brian Donohoe, who pens the Bel Esprit blog, is great mates with Kevin Sheedy, whose family races Queen Rene.
And Queen Rene, closely related to 2YO Group winners De France and Whistler, won with a leg in the air, taking out her 1200m assignment by over three panels.
There was a lot to like about Esprit de Bullet’s victory at Cheltenham too.
Bred and part-owned by Alastair and Patricia McFarlane, who also own the smart Bel Esprit mare Esprit de Roses, Esprit de Bullet came from last in a flying finish to grab the major prize.
Alastair and Patricia could be forgiven for buying shares in the pharmaceutical firm that distributes Valium after the near heart attacks that the ‘Esprit’ pair have given them over the past couple of weeks.
Esprit de Roses has won and been beaten by a short half head at her two previous runs in town, while Esprit de Bullet’s last gasp victory would have had the ticker pumping as well. Still, we’re tipping that if you asked them, they wouldn’t miss it for quids.
Backabel, Ibsen 24/12/08
XMAS EVE DOUBLE - IBSEN & BACKABEL
Nice Christmas present for Bel Esprit disciples on 24 December with victories to Ibsen at Ascot and the well named Backabel at Wagga.
It was a tremendous performance by Ibsen to score over the 1000m at Perth’s premier track, racing away to win by near on four lengths.
Raced by some of Victorian breeding’s leading lights – including David and Jenny Moodie, David Kobritz, Peter Anatasiou, Adam Sangster and Peter Sidwell, Ibsen has only been lightly raced with 11 outings, highlighted by two wins and three seconds.
Two of those seconds led up to the Ascot victory, picking up the minors at Pinjarra and Ascot in December after resuming from a six month spell.
Ibsen is racing royalty and the third son of blue hen mare, Scandinavia, to make his presence felt. His year older half brother, Magnus won the AJC Galaxy-G1 and is now standing at Eliza Park (where it all began!), while the year younger half brother, Wilander (sold by Eliza Park for $625,000 at the 2007 Australian Easter Yearling Sale) won the 2008 Schillaci Stakes-G2 during the spring.
Sold by Eliza Park to David Moodie’s Contract Racing for $200,000 at the 2006 Melbourne Premier, Ibsen is certainly well named.
I’m not particularly familiar with the works of Henrik Ibsen, but turns out he was a noted Norwegian playwright of the late 19th century (the equine Ibsen is a grandson of Song of Norway). Some of his works include Peer Gynt, the story of a life based on avoidance (bit like myself come 9am Mondays!).
Ibsen died on 23 May 1906 after a series of strokes. When his nurse assured a visitor that he was a little better, Ibsen sputtered: “on the contrary” and died.
Backabel, on the other hand, doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, but was definitely an omen bet at Wagga on Christmas Eve.
Sent out an $8 pick over the 1200m, Backabel proved too strong for rivals which included another Bel Esprit in the unlucky Royal Express.
Backabel, a 3YO having just his fourth start, is trained and part owned by Rodger Waters at Wantabadgery after being passed in at last year’s Sydney Classic.
A half brother to five winners, including city winners Announcer and From the Boulevard, Backabel is out of an unraced sister to Blue Diamond Stakes-G1 winner Knowledge.
Bel Esprit looks as if he might have a few more winners up his sleeve over the next couple of days and you can check them out on the Bel Esprit blog by clicking here.
Nice Christmas present for Bel Esprit disciples on 24 December with victories to Ibsen at Ascot and the well named Backabel at Wagga.
It was a tremendous performance by Ibsen to score over the 1000m at Perth’s premier track, racing away to win by near on four lengths.
Raced by some of Victorian breeding’s leading lights – including David and Jenny Moodie, David Kobritz, Peter Anatasiou, Adam Sangster and Peter Sidwell, Ibsen has only been lightly raced with 11 outings, highlighted by two wins and three seconds.
Two of those seconds led up to the Ascot victory, picking up the minors at Pinjarra and Ascot in December after resuming from a six month spell.
Ibsen is racing royalty and the third son of blue hen mare, Scandinavia, to make his presence felt. His year older half brother, Magnus won the AJC Galaxy-G1 and is now standing at Eliza Park (where it all began!), while the year younger half brother, Wilander (sold by Eliza Park for $625,000 at the 2007 Australian Easter Yearling Sale) won the 2008 Schillaci Stakes-G2 during the spring.
Sold by Eliza Park to David Moodie’s Contract Racing for $200,000 at the 2006 Melbourne Premier, Ibsen is certainly well named.
I’m not particularly familiar with the works of Henrik Ibsen, but turns out he was a noted Norwegian playwright of the late 19th century (the equine Ibsen is a grandson of Song of Norway). Some of his works include Peer Gynt, the story of a life based on avoidance (bit like myself come 9am Mondays!).
Ibsen died on 23 May 1906 after a series of strokes. When his nurse assured a visitor that he was a little better, Ibsen sputtered: “on the contrary” and died.
Backabel, on the other hand, doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, but was definitely an omen bet at Wagga on Christmas Eve.
Sent out an $8 pick over the 1200m, Backabel proved too strong for rivals which included another Bel Esprit in the unlucky Royal Express.
Backabel, a 3YO having just his fourth start, is trained and part owned by Rodger Waters at Wantabadgery after being passed in at last year’s Sydney Classic.
A half brother to five winners, including city winners Announcer and From the Boulevard, Backabel is out of an unraced sister to Blue Diamond Stakes-G1 winner Knowledge.
Bel Esprit looks as if he might have a few more winners up his sleeve over the next couple of days and you can check them out on the Bel Esprit blog by clicking here.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Will This be a Bel of a Christmas Break?
Bel Esprit has had a great start this Xmas with Backabel(what a great name) winning the 1st race at Wagga(Royal Express came 3rd in the same race) and paying 15/1.
Ibsen won the last race at Ascot, starting favourate and winning with daylight to the 2nd horse. All this happened on Christmas Eve.
Now we are into Boxing Day.
Queen Rene should win at Wodonga(Non TAB).
Sonic Spree is 1st up atCheltenham, won two at 1000m and record 1st up is 1 win, 1 2nd.
Esprit de Bullett is having his 1st start at Cheltenham. In the sales, he was passed in for $190,00 with a reserve of $200,000.
Bel Said, who won her 1st 2 races, is running at Newcastle.
The Package is picked to win at Pinjarra.
Thetoppie is in at Sale(Non TAB).
Another 1st starter is running at Kranji in Singapore, Bel's Ringer.
Tomorrow(Saturday)
!st starter Beltrois, scratched at Ballarat Xmas Eve, is in the 1st at Mornington.
Last start winner, Seasonality, could win at Mornington also.
Drifting Spirit, who seems to scratch often, is named to run at Mornington.
Boy Magician is topweight at Toowoomba in the 5th but drawn barrier 21.
Esprit D'Amour, formerly trained by Gai Waterhouse, is now trained by David Jones and is entered to run at Bunderberg in race 4.
5th at Kembla Grange to Bunderberg, should win this.
Now with all that money in our pockets, we come to Saturday Night At Moonee Valley.
Casabel is running in the 1st.
La Bella Roo is entered in the 7th.
Sunday 28th .
Cardannic, last start winner, is running at Elwick.
Ring My Bel, now with his 3rd trainer, Paddy Payne, is nominated at W'bool.
John's Gem, trained by Mick Price, is to run 1st up at Kilmore, after her only previous start 3rd ,last July .
Monday 29th
Peter Moody has a 1st starter named to run at Stoneycreek, Warrego River, he sold at the sales for $30,000
Bel Esprit has had a great start this Xmas with Backabel(what a great name) winning the 1st race at Wagga(Royal Express came 3rd in the same race) and paying 15/1.
Ibsen won the last race at Ascot, starting favourate and winning with daylight to the 2nd horse. All this happened on Christmas Eve.
Now we are into Boxing Day.
Queen Rene should win at Wodonga(Non TAB).
Sonic Spree is 1st up atCheltenham, won two at 1000m and record 1st up is 1 win, 1 2nd.
Esprit de Bullett is having his 1st start at Cheltenham. In the sales, he was passed in for $190,00 with a reserve of $200,000.
Bel Said, who won her 1st 2 races, is running at Newcastle.
The Package is picked to win at Pinjarra.
Thetoppie is in at Sale(Non TAB).
Another 1st starter is running at Kranji in Singapore, Bel's Ringer.
Tomorrow(Saturday)
!st starter Beltrois, scratched at Ballarat Xmas Eve, is in the 1st at Mornington.
Last start winner, Seasonality, could win at Mornington also.
Drifting Spirit, who seems to scratch often, is named to run at Mornington.
Boy Magician is topweight at Toowoomba in the 5th but drawn barrier 21.
Esprit D'Amour, formerly trained by Gai Waterhouse, is now trained by David Jones and is entered to run at Bunderberg in race 4.
5th at Kembla Grange to Bunderberg, should win this.
Now with all that money in our pockets, we come to Saturday Night At Moonee Valley.
Casabel is running in the 1st.
La Bella Roo is entered in the 7th.
Sunday 28th .
Cardannic, last start winner, is running at Elwick.
Ring My Bel, now with his 3rd trainer, Paddy Payne, is nominated at W'bool.
John's Gem, trained by Mick Price, is to run 1st up at Kilmore, after her only previous start 3rd ,last July .
Monday 29th
Peter Moody has a 1st starter named to run at Stoneycreek, Warrego River, he sold at the sales for $30,000
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Lotsa Grunt 21/12/08
CRANBOURNE WIN WITH GRUNT
We reckon the race caller must have backed Lotsa Grunt.
‘Grunt’ caused the caller to groan when dropping out to last in the 1000m scamper at Cranbourne yesterday (21 December) – some two lengths off the second last horse.
And with less than two furlongs to go, Lotsa Grunt still trailed the field – some eight lengths from the leader.
But the vocal chords picked up a decibel or three when Lotsa Grunt began his wind up, swooping home over the final 50m to score by close to a length.
The first crop son of Bel Esprit has really come into his own this campaign with a win at Echuca followed by a short half head second at Moonee Valley, another sold fourth at the Valley at the start of this month and now his Cranbourne victory.
With nine starts under his belt, Lotsa Grunt has now posted three wins and three seconds and is yet another Bel Esprit who appears to be improving with age.
Royal Esprit, Casabel, Esprit de Roses 20/12/08
BEL'S THREE STATE SECONDS
It was to prove to be a day of ‘seconds’, but Bel Esprit certainly made his presence felt in three states on Saturday (20 December).
Royal Esprit, trained by the Hawkes’ triumvirate – John, Wayne & Michael, put in a power performance at Rosehill to grab the runner up cheque in the Razor Sharp Handicap-LR, while Cascabel (Flemington) and Esprit de Roses (Morphettville) also beat home all but the winner.
Royal Esprit has clearly been one of Bel Esprit’s finest performers north of the Murray, having taking out five of his 15 tasks, along with four placings.
A fourth on debut in the Breeders’ Plate-LR, Royal Esprit has had all but three of his starts in town and was clearly on a roll during his previous campaign, winning at Kembla and Canterbury before running third at Rosehill and then finishing off with victories at Canterbury and Rosehill.
Racing first up at Rosehill on 5 December (beaten a half length) he was sent out favourite in the Razor Sharp. He just seems to keep getting better this horse and, hailing from Bel Esprit’s first crop, is indicative of the progeny’s propensity to train on.
Huge run too from Cascabel who was having his first trip to the city for the 1400m journey at Flemington, taking on a previous city winner in Keano.
Cascabel was something of a giant killer at his most recent outing, defeating Coubertin, the half brother to Haradasun and Elvstroem, at Ballarat in devastating fashion.
The ‘look around’ at headquarters will have done Cascabel no harm and don’t be surprised to see this 3YO shine as the journeys get a tad longer.
While many still remember Bel Esprit as a precocious sprinter, it’s worth noting he did win the Doomben 10,000-G1 over 1350m and ran second in the Caulfield Guineas-G1 after finding more trouble than Flash Gordon.
Furthermore, Cascabel’s mum, Gogo Doll, ran fourth in the SA Oaks-G1 and his half brother Soi Cowboy was fourth in the Victoria Derby-G1.
As for Esprit de Roses, she continued her 1-2 trend when beaten a lip over 1529m at Morphettville.
In a heart stopping finish, Esprit de Roses was beaten by the barest of margins and has now finished first, second, first, second in four runs back from a spell … all in town.
Trained by Phillip Stokes, Esprit de Roses must be given her owners – including Tori Park’s Alastair McFarlane and wife Patricia – heart failure with such close finishes. Still, the mare has now won close to $100,000 in stakes – more than enough to pay for some valium!
Bel Esprit - Song Of The Sun filly
Thoroughbred Magazine Club
The Thoroughbred Magazine Club has been formed to provide members with a greater involvement in thoroughbred racing across Australia. The Thoroughbred Magazine Club will race a filly by Bel Esprit, from the family of Magnus, and members will become part of her career.
The Thoroughbred website - http://www.thethoroughbred.com.au/
The Thoroughbred Magazine Club has been formed to provide members with a greater involvement in thoroughbred racing across Australia. The Thoroughbred Magazine Club will race a filly by Bel Esprit, from the family of Magnus, and members will become part of her career.
The Thoroughbred website - http://www.thethoroughbred.com.au/
Monday, December 15, 2008
La Bella Roo 15/12/2008
La Bella Roo tastes defeat for the first time
15/12/2008 4:00:00 AM
PROMISING Bendigo filly La Bella Roo could head to Adelaide’s autumn carnival after its gallant second placing at Flemington on Saturday.
Trainer Peter Boynton is weighing up his options after La Bella Roo was beaten for the first time by highly rated Tasmanian Tempest Tost in the Qenos Handicap (1000m).
“I’ll see how she goes in the next few days before making up my mind,” Boynton said.
“I could put her out now and give her a good break before some races in Adelaide, or there’s a race for her at a Saturday night meeting at Moonee Valley on December 27.”
Boynton was elated with the performance of La Bella Roo on Saturday.
“We were tickled pink by the run,” he said.
“She ran really well, but was beaten by a better horse on the day.
“The winner is a quality horse and our filly showed she’s going to win a lot of races.”
Tempest Tost will now head to the Magic Millions Carnival on the Gold Coast next month.
The track was heavy at Flemington on Saturday, but La Bella Roo handled the conditions well.
“(Jockey) Dean (Holland) said she’s a better horse on top of the ground, but at least we now know she’s not a duffer in the wet.
”It’s a big bonus if you can handle all conditions.
“It was her first time down the straight and it was blowing a gale, but she did a great job to run so well.”
The daughter of Bel Esprit was purchased for just $2200 and is owned by a group of Kangaroo Flat lawn bowlers.
La Bella Roo won her first two starts at Echuca and Bendigo before Saturday’s second placing.
“The boys had a great day (at Flemington),” Boynton said.
“I said to them that there was nothing to de disappointed about because the horse showed us that we’re going to have a lot of fun with her.”
15/12/2008 4:00:00 AM
PROMISING Bendigo filly La Bella Roo could head to Adelaide’s autumn carnival after its gallant second placing at Flemington on Saturday.
Trainer Peter Boynton is weighing up his options after La Bella Roo was beaten for the first time by highly rated Tasmanian Tempest Tost in the Qenos Handicap (1000m).
“I’ll see how she goes in the next few days before making up my mind,” Boynton said.
“I could put her out now and give her a good break before some races in Adelaide, or there’s a race for her at a Saturday night meeting at Moonee Valley on December 27.”
Boynton was elated with the performance of La Bella Roo on Saturday.
“We were tickled pink by the run,” he said.
“She ran really well, but was beaten by a better horse on the day.
“The winner is a quality horse and our filly showed she’s going to win a lot of races.”
Tempest Tost will now head to the Magic Millions Carnival on the Gold Coast next month.
The track was heavy at Flemington on Saturday, but La Bella Roo handled the conditions well.
“(Jockey) Dean (Holland) said she’s a better horse on top of the ground, but at least we now know she’s not a duffer in the wet.
”It’s a big bonus if you can handle all conditions.
“It was her first time down the straight and it was blowing a gale, but she did a great job to run so well.”
The daughter of Bel Esprit was purchased for just $2200 and is owned by a group of Kangaroo Flat lawn bowlers.
La Bella Roo won her first two starts at Echuca and Bendigo before Saturday’s second placing.
“The boys had a great day (at Flemington),” Boynton said.
“I said to them that there was nothing to de disappointed about because the horse showed us that we’re going to have a lot of fun with her.”
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Bel Esprit/Madame Grange colt 12/12/08
Outstanding 95.2% Clearance in Melbourne
Friday, 12 December 2008: The strong demand for tried horses continued at today's Inglis December Thoroughbred Sale at Oaklands, which closed with a clearance rate of better than 95%.Just eight horses failed to sell today and it's likely that figure will be reduced further, with a number of offers already coming in via the Inglis Make an Offer service.Another feature today was that 32 per cent of the lots offered attracted an on-line bid. “This sale really defied predictions and showed no indication of the recession we have been fearing at this level,” Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.“There was good competition for most horses and one of the really pleasing aspects of today's sale was the number of new people attending the sale, which was very encouraging.”Queensland's Heinrich Bloodstock secured the day's top priced lot, the unraced Galileo mare Madame Grange, with a Bel Esprit colt foal at foot for $110,000.The mare was also sold with a positive test to Swettenham Stud's young Sunday Silence stallion Keep The Faith. Offered by Sutton Grange Stud Pty Ltd, Madame Grange is from the Group 3 winning Kenmare mare Simply Believe, which also produced Group 2 winner Faith Hill, the dam of Lonhro's dual stakes winning filly Black Minx – an entrant at Eagle Farm tomorrow.The day's second highest price was for talented Danehill Dancer four-year-old Kariba Kariba, who was knocked down for $46,000 to William Inglis as agent. In all, 160 lots sold today for a gross of $746,100. Sale Statistics - Lots 1 to 212Lots Catalogued: 212 Lots Sold: 160 (95.2 %) Lots Withdrawn: 43 (20.3 %) Lots Passed In: 8 (4.8 %) Gross Value: $746,100Average Price: $4,663Median Price: $2,250Top Price: (Lot 58) $110,000
Friday, 12 December 2008: The strong demand for tried horses continued at today's Inglis December Thoroughbred Sale at Oaklands, which closed with a clearance rate of better than 95%.Just eight horses failed to sell today and it's likely that figure will be reduced further, with a number of offers already coming in via the Inglis Make an Offer service.Another feature today was that 32 per cent of the lots offered attracted an on-line bid. “This sale really defied predictions and showed no indication of the recession we have been fearing at this level,” Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.“There was good competition for most horses and one of the really pleasing aspects of today's sale was the number of new people attending the sale, which was very encouraging.”Queensland's Heinrich Bloodstock secured the day's top priced lot, the unraced Galileo mare Madame Grange, with a Bel Esprit colt foal at foot for $110,000.The mare was also sold with a positive test to Swettenham Stud's young Sunday Silence stallion Keep The Faith. Offered by Sutton Grange Stud Pty Ltd, Madame Grange is from the Group 3 winning Kenmare mare Simply Believe, which also produced Group 2 winner Faith Hill, the dam of Lonhro's dual stakes winning filly Black Minx – an entrant at Eagle Farm tomorrow.The day's second highest price was for talented Danehill Dancer four-year-old Kariba Kariba, who was knocked down for $46,000 to William Inglis as agent. In all, 160 lots sold today for a gross of $746,100. Sale Statistics - Lots 1 to 212Lots Catalogued: 212 Lots Sold: 160 (95.2 %) Lots Withdrawn: 43 (20.3 %) Lots Passed In: 8 (4.8 %) Gross Value: $746,100Average Price: $4,663Median Price: $2,250Top Price: (Lot 58) $110,000
Friday, December 12, 2008
La Bella Roo 12/12/2008
La Bella Roo Faces Flemington Test
Bendigo trainer Peter Boynton brings unbeaten filly La Bella Roo to town for the first time at Flemington on Saturday when she will be out to complete a winning hat-trick.
La Bella Roo joined Boynton unraced after a stint with a Melbourne stable and won at her race debut by five lengths in an Echuca Maiden (1000m) on Melbourne Cup day before a three-quarter length victory over Johnny Fiasco in a Rating 68 Hcp (1100m) on her home track on November 27.
"She's earned a crack at a city race after those efforts," said Boynton who has had metropolitan success with handy sprinter Spectacular Saint who is currently sidelined with a knee injury.
It was the link with one of Spectacular Saint's part-owners Terry Hurford that lead to Boynton getting La Bella Roo to train.
Hurford, who is also a part-owner of the Anthony Cummings-trained Turffontein, winner of the Group Two 2008 Queensland Guineas and a multiple Group One placegetter, bought her cheaply.
"She had been through a city stable and didn't settle in, as she wouldn't because she's a very hot-headed little filly," Boynton said.
However she has fitted in very nicely with Boynton who has only six or seven horses in work and rides all his own trackwork.
By Blue Diamond Stakes and Doomben 10,000 winner Bel Esprit, La Bella Roo is raced under the Roo Bowlers Racing Syndicate managed by Ron Murphy.
The syndicate is comprised of 16 bowlers from Kangaroo Flat near Bendigo.
Apprentice Dean Holland will ride La Bella Roo in the Qenos Hcp (1000m) down the straight course against seven rivals including smart Tasmanian filly Tempest Tost and last-start Moonee Valley winner Emma Princess.
Holland was been aboard the filly in both of her wins.
Bendigo trainer Peter Boynton brings unbeaten filly La Bella Roo to town for the first time at Flemington on Saturday when she will be out to complete a winning hat-trick.
La Bella Roo joined Boynton unraced after a stint with a Melbourne stable and won at her race debut by five lengths in an Echuca Maiden (1000m) on Melbourne Cup day before a three-quarter length victory over Johnny Fiasco in a Rating 68 Hcp (1100m) on her home track on November 27.
"She's earned a crack at a city race after those efforts," said Boynton who has had metropolitan success with handy sprinter Spectacular Saint who is currently sidelined with a knee injury.
It was the link with one of Spectacular Saint's part-owners Terry Hurford that lead to Boynton getting La Bella Roo to train.
Hurford, who is also a part-owner of the Anthony Cummings-trained Turffontein, winner of the Group Two 2008 Queensland Guineas and a multiple Group One placegetter, bought her cheaply.
"She had been through a city stable and didn't settle in, as she wouldn't because she's a very hot-headed little filly," Boynton said.
However she has fitted in very nicely with Boynton who has only six or seven horses in work and rides all his own trackwork.
By Blue Diamond Stakes and Doomben 10,000 winner Bel Esprit, La Bella Roo is raced under the Roo Bowlers Racing Syndicate managed by Ron Murphy.
The syndicate is comprised of 16 bowlers from Kangaroo Flat near Bendigo.
Apprentice Dean Holland will ride La Bella Roo in the Qenos Hcp (1000m) down the straight course against seven rivals including smart Tasmanian filly Tempest Tost and last-start Moonee Valley winner Emma Princess.
Holland was been aboard the filly in both of her wins.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Bel esprit strs/win ratio 10/12/2008
Owning a Bel Esprit Has Rewards.
Looking at the web site, Stallions and comparing the starters/winners ratio, it reads good for Bel Esprit Owners.
Leaderboard:
Stallion starters winners %
Danetime 81 34 42.0%
Redoute's Choice 149 59 39.6%
Bel Esprit 86 32 37.2%
Fasliyev 141 52 36.9%
Rubiton 106 38 35.8%
Lion Hunter 126 45 35.7%
More Than Ready 112 40 35.7%
Flying Spur 144 51 35.4%
Dash for Cash 85 30 35.3%
Hussonet 85 29 34.1%
Magic Albert 88 30 34.1%
Also, of the 64 starters from the 1st crop, 39 have been winners, 61%, a great achievement.
Looking at the web site, Stallions and comparing the starters/winners ratio, it reads good for Bel Esprit Owners.
Leaderboard:
Stallion starters winners %
Danetime 81 34 42.0%
Redoute's Choice 149 59 39.6%
Bel Esprit 86 32 37.2%
Fasliyev 141 52 36.9%
Rubiton 106 38 35.8%
Lion Hunter 126 45 35.7%
More Than Ready 112 40 35.7%
Flying Spur 144 51 35.4%
Dash for Cash 85 30 35.3%
Hussonet 85 29 34.1%
Magic Albert 88 30 34.1%
Also, of the 64 starters from the 1st crop, 39 have been winners, 61%, a great achievement.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Cardannic 7/12/2008
CROOK PERFORMANCES A TESTIMONY TO CHRIS' PATIENCE
“Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can – seldom in a woman, never in a man”.
Personally, I doubt the veracity of such a statement given that after 40 years of punting I’m still patiently waiting for my ship to come in, but our ‘patience’ award for the month definitely goes to Tasmanian trainer Chris Crook.
Chris is the trainer of Cardannic who turned the Brighton Hotel Maiden over 1100m at Hobart into a cakewalk yesterday (7 December), winning by close to five lengths.
Chris was given the filly to train after Dudley Clark (who sponsored a race later in the program), picked up the Bel Esprit yearling at the 2006 Gold Coast Magic Millions from the Eliza Park draft for $47,500.
Trialling the filly in December of that year, Cardannic won by three lengths and Chris reckoned she had a pretty handy type in her stable.
Trouble was, the filly kept on knocking herself at a full gallop and, when she ran last of 11 on debut in October last year, Chris tipped her out.
Having her second start almost 12 months to the day, the filly again knocked herself and finished eighth of 14.
Undeterred, Chris gave the filly two months before starting her again yesterday.
This time the only one’s knocking themselves were those who hadn’t backed the daughter of Bel Esprit at the juicy odds of $12.90 (word is that a certain Eliza Park staffer got himself an early Christmas bonus after chatting with Chris at Equitana!).
One of five Bel Esprit winners in the past week, Cardannic is a half sister to dual Group winner Cahuita and is out of a half sister to Group One winner Zaparri and the granddam of Magic Millions 3YO winner Tereschenko.
“Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can – seldom in a woman, never in a man”.
Personally, I doubt the veracity of such a statement given that after 40 years of punting I’m still patiently waiting for my ship to come in, but our ‘patience’ award for the month definitely goes to Tasmanian trainer Chris Crook.
Chris is the trainer of Cardannic who turned the Brighton Hotel Maiden over 1100m at Hobart into a cakewalk yesterday (7 December), winning by close to five lengths.
Chris was given the filly to train after Dudley Clark (who sponsored a race later in the program), picked up the Bel Esprit yearling at the 2006 Gold Coast Magic Millions from the Eliza Park draft for $47,500.
Trialling the filly in December of that year, Cardannic won by three lengths and Chris reckoned she had a pretty handy type in her stable.
Trouble was, the filly kept on knocking herself at a full gallop and, when she ran last of 11 on debut in October last year, Chris tipped her out.
Having her second start almost 12 months to the day, the filly again knocked herself and finished eighth of 14.
Undeterred, Chris gave the filly two months before starting her again yesterday.
This time the only one’s knocking themselves were those who hadn’t backed the daughter of Bel Esprit at the juicy odds of $12.90 (word is that a certain Eliza Park staffer got himself an early Christmas bonus after chatting with Chris at Equitana!).
One of five Bel Esprit winners in the past week, Cardannic is a half sister to dual Group winner Cahuita and is out of a half sister to Group One winner Zaparri and the granddam of Magic Millions 3YO winner Tereschenko.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Cascabel 5/12/2008(3)
Blue Blood Coubertin Fifth in Debut
Coubertin, the half brother to multiple Group 1 winners Elvstroem and Haradasun, made his long awaited debut under clear skies at Ballarat this afternoon.
However it didn't all go to script with the easing favourite ($3.10) finishing fifth beaten less then three lengths from the winner.
Imperially bred by leading Australian sire Redoute's Choice from the Group 1 winning dam of Circles of Gold, Coubertin showed that it will be capable over further ground, making some steady ground in the latter part of the straight.
Starting from the already difficult wide alley of gate 14, Coubertin didn't aid the situation after leaving the stalls sluggishly and forcing Danny Brereton to restrain the debutant towards the rear of the field.
Slowly picking his way thought the field whilst the leaders backed off the tempo, Coubertin faced a wall of horses as the rail moved out eight metres from the 600m mark to the winning post.
Although not inconvenienced, Coubertin raced tight around the bend and in the early stages of the straight before obtaining a run on the inside of the Peter Snowden trained Squalls.
However the three year old was unable to rein in Cascabel who made the most of its previous race experience and pulled off a betting plunge of sorts.
Cascabel ($7-$3.50), from the Robbie Griffiths stable, won by one and a quarter lengths with debutants Renounceable ($11-$12) and Awimoweh ($41) in second and third position respectively. With the race starting five minutes behind post advertised start time after the late scratchings of the Matthew Ellerton pair, Drifting Spirit and Rose Of Elegance, winning rider Peter Mertens saw race experience as a big advantage for his mount.
"Especially when he stood in the gates for so long, a lot of those first starters would have gone to sleep in there," before adding "He was quite mature."
Cascabel has plenty of scope for the future according to Mertens after the son of Bel Esprit unsuccessfully protested against the winner and runner-up on debut at Sale when fourth behind Red Hustler.
"I think he'll improve with each run," Mertens said.
Little Bro Misses Out As Other Valuable Youngsters Salute
Story By Nathan Exelby
Thursday, 4 December 2008:
The two most expensive yearling purchases to race in Australia today both won, but the colt who most certainly would have sold for much more had he seen a sales ring was beaten during a most interesting afternoon at Ballarat.Frank TaggPhoto by Racing and Sports$750,000 Exceed And Excel colt Dominguin and $450,000 Encosta De Lago filly Chameleon both opened their winning accounts, but the Tony Vasil trained Coubertin will have to wait another day. The eagerly anticipated debut of Coubertin, the Redoute's Choice three-quarter-brother to Elvstroem and half-brother to Haradasun, fizzed when the colt got well back in the 1200m maiden and never looked a winning hope.Coubertin was sent out an easing favourite after a recent trial win, but couldn't match the debut winning heroics of his famous older siblings, despite making up good ground in the straight.The aim is to have Coubertin heading towards the AJC Derby and he certainly raced like a horse looking for more ground.With two international Group 1 winners to her credit, Circles Of Gold has strong claims on the title of Australasia's most valuable broodmare, especially in light of the fact Haradasun was valued in the vicinity of $50million during his racing career.However, the mare has not had a horse go to sale since the Danehill colt Gold Centre, who made $400,000 in 2004 – prior to Elvstroem's multiple G1 winning four-year-old feats. Each of the Marscay mare's foals since have been retained to race by Frank Tagg and his partners.She missed in 2006 but last year produced another Redoute's Choice colt and this spring foaled a full-brother to Haradasun by Fusaichi Pegasus. Coubertin was beaten into fifth place by the Robbie Griffiths trained Cascabel (Bel Esprit), who was the subject of heavy support after running fourth on debut at Sale.By contrast, Cascabel cost just $18,000 at last year's Inglis Classic Sale in Sydney. He is from the Kala Dancer mare Gogo Doll.The win continued a hot run of winning success for Eliza Park's Bel Esprit – Australia's busiest stallion in 2007 – with seven winners in the past week.
How Many Bels? Not Enough!Breednet
Media Release - Thursday, 4 December 2008
Venturing to last year’s Sydney Classic, trainer Robbie Griffiths took a shine to the Bel Esprit colt from the Kala Dancer mare, Gogo Doll.
With a couple of Bel Esprits already in his Cranbourne stable, Robbie was more than pleased to add another … especially when he snapped up the colt for just $18,000.
Naturally enough, Robbie considers the money well spent with the Bel Esprit – now named Cascabel – grabbing his maiden victory at Ballarat today (4 December) from a ‘hot’ lineup which included Coubertin, a Redoute’s Choice half brother to Elvstroem and Haradasun.
A moral beaten on debut at Sale in mid November, Cascabel showed he has above average ability with jockey, Peter Mertens, forced to use him up early and finding no peace among the front runners.
Moving to the lead on turning for home, Cascabel never looked in danger with Peter easing him down on the line.
Taciturn as ever, Peter was, however, confident that: “he (Cascabel) will just get better with each run”.
The trainer wasn’t backward in coming forward though, predicting Cascabel has a good future and lauding the ability of his sire, Bel Esprit.
When asked how many Bel Esprits he had in his stable, Robbie didn’t blink: “Not enough!”
In reality, Griffiths Racing houses six sons and daughters of Bel Esprit and Robbie hinted at the prospects of another up and comer in the Bel Esprit filly from Song of the Sun, bred by Eliza Park and leased to the stable.
Out of a half sister to Group One winner and sire, Magnus and 2008 Schillaci Stakes-G2 winner Wilander, the filly: “trialled this morning and galloped beautifully”.
Recently cracking the ton, it appears it won’t be long before Bel Esprit produces the winners of another 100 races, particularly with half a dozen winners in the past week including a double last Saturday with Esprit de Roses and Apple Esprit, Spirited Halo at Sandown, the unbeaten La Bella Roo and 5 length winner Beau Esprit.
Coubertin, the half brother to multiple Group 1 winners Elvstroem and Haradasun, made his long awaited debut under clear skies at Ballarat this afternoon.
However it didn't all go to script with the easing favourite ($3.10) finishing fifth beaten less then three lengths from the winner.
Imperially bred by leading Australian sire Redoute's Choice from the Group 1 winning dam of Circles of Gold, Coubertin showed that it will be capable over further ground, making some steady ground in the latter part of the straight.
Starting from the already difficult wide alley of gate 14, Coubertin didn't aid the situation after leaving the stalls sluggishly and forcing Danny Brereton to restrain the debutant towards the rear of the field.
Slowly picking his way thought the field whilst the leaders backed off the tempo, Coubertin faced a wall of horses as the rail moved out eight metres from the 600m mark to the winning post.
Although not inconvenienced, Coubertin raced tight around the bend and in the early stages of the straight before obtaining a run on the inside of the Peter Snowden trained Squalls.
However the three year old was unable to rein in Cascabel who made the most of its previous race experience and pulled off a betting plunge of sorts.
Cascabel ($7-$3.50), from the Robbie Griffiths stable, won by one and a quarter lengths with debutants Renounceable ($11-$12) and Awimoweh ($41) in second and third position respectively. With the race starting five minutes behind post advertised start time after the late scratchings of the Matthew Ellerton pair, Drifting Spirit and Rose Of Elegance, winning rider Peter Mertens saw race experience as a big advantage for his mount.
"Especially when he stood in the gates for so long, a lot of those first starters would have gone to sleep in there," before adding "He was quite mature."
Cascabel has plenty of scope for the future according to Mertens after the son of Bel Esprit unsuccessfully protested against the winner and runner-up on debut at Sale when fourth behind Red Hustler.
"I think he'll improve with each run," Mertens said.
Little Bro Misses Out As Other Valuable Youngsters Salute
Story By Nathan Exelby
Thursday, 4 December 2008:
The two most expensive yearling purchases to race in Australia today both won, but the colt who most certainly would have sold for much more had he seen a sales ring was beaten during a most interesting afternoon at Ballarat.Frank TaggPhoto by Racing and Sports$750,000 Exceed And Excel colt Dominguin and $450,000 Encosta De Lago filly Chameleon both opened their winning accounts, but the Tony Vasil trained Coubertin will have to wait another day. The eagerly anticipated debut of Coubertin, the Redoute's Choice three-quarter-brother to Elvstroem and half-brother to Haradasun, fizzed when the colt got well back in the 1200m maiden and never looked a winning hope.Coubertin was sent out an easing favourite after a recent trial win, but couldn't match the debut winning heroics of his famous older siblings, despite making up good ground in the straight.The aim is to have Coubertin heading towards the AJC Derby and he certainly raced like a horse looking for more ground.With two international Group 1 winners to her credit, Circles Of Gold has strong claims on the title of Australasia's most valuable broodmare, especially in light of the fact Haradasun was valued in the vicinity of $50million during his racing career.However, the mare has not had a horse go to sale since the Danehill colt Gold Centre, who made $400,000 in 2004 – prior to Elvstroem's multiple G1 winning four-year-old feats. Each of the Marscay mare's foals since have been retained to race by Frank Tagg and his partners.She missed in 2006 but last year produced another Redoute's Choice colt and this spring foaled a full-brother to Haradasun by Fusaichi Pegasus. Coubertin was beaten into fifth place by the Robbie Griffiths trained Cascabel (Bel Esprit), who was the subject of heavy support after running fourth on debut at Sale.By contrast, Cascabel cost just $18,000 at last year's Inglis Classic Sale in Sydney. He is from the Kala Dancer mare Gogo Doll.The win continued a hot run of winning success for Eliza Park's Bel Esprit – Australia's busiest stallion in 2007 – with seven winners in the past week.
How Many Bels? Not Enough!Breednet
Media Release - Thursday, 4 December 2008
Venturing to last year’s Sydney Classic, trainer Robbie Griffiths took a shine to the Bel Esprit colt from the Kala Dancer mare, Gogo Doll.
With a couple of Bel Esprits already in his Cranbourne stable, Robbie was more than pleased to add another … especially when he snapped up the colt for just $18,000.
Naturally enough, Robbie considers the money well spent with the Bel Esprit – now named Cascabel – grabbing his maiden victory at Ballarat today (4 December) from a ‘hot’ lineup which included Coubertin, a Redoute’s Choice half brother to Elvstroem and Haradasun.
A moral beaten on debut at Sale in mid November, Cascabel showed he has above average ability with jockey, Peter Mertens, forced to use him up early and finding no peace among the front runners.
Moving to the lead on turning for home, Cascabel never looked in danger with Peter easing him down on the line.
Taciturn as ever, Peter was, however, confident that: “he (Cascabel) will just get better with each run”.
The trainer wasn’t backward in coming forward though, predicting Cascabel has a good future and lauding the ability of his sire, Bel Esprit.
When asked how many Bel Esprits he had in his stable, Robbie didn’t blink: “Not enough!”
In reality, Griffiths Racing houses six sons and daughters of Bel Esprit and Robbie hinted at the prospects of another up and comer in the Bel Esprit filly from Song of the Sun, bred by Eliza Park and leased to the stable.
Out of a half sister to Group One winner and sire, Magnus and 2008 Schillaci Stakes-G2 winner Wilander, the filly: “trialled this morning and galloped beautifully”.
Recently cracking the ton, it appears it won’t be long before Bel Esprit produces the winners of another 100 races, particularly with half a dozen winners in the past week including a double last Saturday with Esprit de Roses and Apple Esprit, Spirited Halo at Sandown, the unbeaten La Bella Roo and 5 length winner Beau Esprit.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Apple Esprit, Esprit de Roses 28/11/08
SHE'LL BE APPLES
Great day at the office yesterday for Bel Esprit with two winners and a second from just three runners.
Esprit de Roses scored the bikkies at Morphettville and I’m Elite just got pipped at Ascot, while Apple Esprit grabbed a deserved victory at Yarra Valley.
Trained by Steve McKinnon, who prepares the mare on behalf of the Nardoo Valley Syndicate, Apple Esprit proved far too for her rivals over the 1000m journey, winning by over 2 lengths.
Apple Esprit has had her hoof on the till from day one, grabbing seconds at Moe and Yarra Valley earlier in the year before an uncharacteristic seventh at Moonee Valley.
Yesterday’s win was only Apple Esprit’s fourth outing and her first run back in over eight months.
As the name would suggest, Apple Esprit is by Champion Victorian Sire Bel Esprit, from the Zeditave mare, Zapple, in turn a daughter of 5-time stakeswinner Apple Danish. Apple Danish is a full sister to the unraced, yet deliciously named Strudel!
Great day at the office yesterday for Bel Esprit with two winners and a second from just three runners.
Esprit de Roses scored the bikkies at Morphettville and I’m Elite just got pipped at Ascot, while Apple Esprit grabbed a deserved victory at Yarra Valley.
Trained by Steve McKinnon, who prepares the mare on behalf of the Nardoo Valley Syndicate, Apple Esprit proved far too for her rivals over the 1000m journey, winning by over 2 lengths.
Apple Esprit has had her hoof on the till from day one, grabbing seconds at Moe and Yarra Valley earlier in the year before an uncharacteristic seventh at Moonee Valley.
Yesterday’s win was only Apple Esprit’s fourth outing and her first run back in over eight months.
As the name would suggest, Apple Esprit is by Champion Victorian Sire Bel Esprit, from the Zeditave mare, Zapple, in turn a daughter of 5-time stakeswinner Apple Danish. Apple Danish is a full sister to the unraced, yet deliciously named Strudel!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Beau Esprit 31/12/06,30/11/08
Werribee Quinella for Bel Esprit
Tara Madgwick - Sunday, December 31, 2006
Eliza Park based Bel Esprit sired the quinella in the juvenile event over 1000 metres at Werribee on New Year’s Eve, with the Lee Freedman trained colt Beau Esprit defeating Rich Forever by two and a half lengths.Beau Esprit was having his second race start having finished fifth to Meurice in the Listed MRC Debutants Stakes at Caulfield during the spring.A $120,000 purchase for respected agent Adrian Nicoll from the draft of Newhaven Park Stud at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Beau Esprit is the second foal of the stakes-winning Centaine mare Centennial (NZ).Beau Esprit is the second winner for dual Group One winner Bel Esprit (pictured) who has 13 yearlings catalogued at Magic Millions with seven to follow at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, then his largest consignment of 25 yearlings to be offered in Melbourne at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
BEAU REIGNS
I didn’t see the run, but the ‘texted’ description of Beau Esprit’s win at Wodonga today (30 November) was accompanied by a term usually associated with heavy rain.Indeed, the margin was quite emphatic on paper (4.25 lengths) but in reality, could have been greater if jockey Brendan Ward had so desired.
Naturally, Beau Esprit’s owners – including original Bel Esprit part-owner, Michael Duffy – were ecstatic with the win: Beau Esprit’s fourth from 17 starts (plus five placings).Winning two of his last three serves to underline his sire’s propensity for producing horses that can win at two and train on.Beau Esprit raced on five occasions at two (twice at stakes level), nine times as a 3YO (for a win and a city placing) and now thrice at four for two wins and a close up fifth.
And while we’re on the Bel Esprit bandwagon, Beau Esprit was his fifth winner in five days.We have only just advertised the fact that Bel Esprit has now produced the winners of over 100
Tara Madgwick - Sunday, December 31, 2006
Eliza Park based Bel Esprit sired the quinella in the juvenile event over 1000 metres at Werribee on New Year’s Eve, with the Lee Freedman trained colt Beau Esprit defeating Rich Forever by two and a half lengths.Beau Esprit was having his second race start having finished fifth to Meurice in the Listed MRC Debutants Stakes at Caulfield during the spring.A $120,000 purchase for respected agent Adrian Nicoll from the draft of Newhaven Park Stud at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Beau Esprit is the second foal of the stakes-winning Centaine mare Centennial (NZ).Beau Esprit is the second winner for dual Group One winner Bel Esprit (pictured) who has 13 yearlings catalogued at Magic Millions with seven to follow at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, then his largest consignment of 25 yearlings to be offered in Melbourne at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
BEAU REIGNS
I didn’t see the run, but the ‘texted’ description of Beau Esprit’s win at Wodonga today (30 November) was accompanied by a term usually associated with heavy rain.Indeed, the margin was quite emphatic on paper (4.25 lengths) but in reality, could have been greater if jockey Brendan Ward had so desired.
Naturally, Beau Esprit’s owners – including original Bel Esprit part-owner, Michael Duffy – were ecstatic with the win: Beau Esprit’s fourth from 17 starts (plus five placings).Winning two of his last three serves to underline his sire’s propensity for producing horses that can win at two and train on.Beau Esprit raced on five occasions at two (twice at stakes level), nine times as a 3YO (for a win and a city placing) and now thrice at four for two wins and a close up fifth.
And while we’re on the Bel Esprit bandwagon, Beau Esprit was his fifth winner in five days.We have only just advertised the fact that Bel Esprit has now produced the winners of over 100
Vivacious Spirit 22/9/08
2nd Stakes Win For Vivacious Spirit.
September 22nd, 2008
Bel Esprit snapped up his second stakes winner for the season with the emphatic victory of Vivacious Spirit in the Group 3 Hocking Stuart South Yarra Stakes (registered name: How Now Stakes) at Caulfield on Saturday (20 September), securing a black type double for Eliza Park stallions at the Heath. It was a much deserved win for Vivacious Spirit who, prior to Caulfield, had won two and placed in six from 10 starts. This includes seconds in the Yallambee Classic-G2, Perri Cutten-G2 and Thoroughbred Club-G3, plus a third in the Kevin Hayes-LR. Indeed, Vivacious Spirit has only been out of the money once when she had no luck in this year’s Group One Goodwood Handicap in Adelaide. Vivacious Spirit showed that after being ridden off the pace and sprinting way too well for her rivals in the straight, the performance was very impressive. Now connections have worked out that the mare can be ridden more quietly to good effect, this very talented daughter of Bel Esprit can go right on with it. To underline the effort it was Vivacious Spirit’s third run back from a spell and she jumped from barrier 18 in the 18 strong field.
September 22nd, 2008
Bel Esprit snapped up his second stakes winner for the season with the emphatic victory of Vivacious Spirit in the Group 3 Hocking Stuart South Yarra Stakes (registered name: How Now Stakes) at Caulfield on Saturday (20 September), securing a black type double for Eliza Park stallions at the Heath. It was a much deserved win for Vivacious Spirit who, prior to Caulfield, had won two and placed in six from 10 starts. This includes seconds in the Yallambee Classic-G2, Perri Cutten-G2 and Thoroughbred Club-G3, plus a third in the Kevin Hayes-LR. Indeed, Vivacious Spirit has only been out of the money once when she had no luck in this year’s Group One Goodwood Handicap in Adelaide. Vivacious Spirit showed that after being ridden off the pace and sprinting way too well for her rivals in the straight, the performance was very impressive. Now connections have worked out that the mare can be ridden more quietly to good effect, this very talented daughter of Bel Esprit can go right on with it. To underline the effort it was Vivacious Spirit’s third run back from a spell and she jumped from barrier 18 in the 18 strong field.
Bel Esprit 11/8/08
Bel is Champ.
August 11th, 2008
Indeed, it was almost a clean sweep for the son of Royal Academy who was Champion Victorian Second Season Sire by earnings, Champion Victorian Second Season Sire by (35) winners (equal with Dash For Cash, but with a superior strike rate), Champion Victorian 2YO Sire by (8) winners and second Leading Victorian 2YO Sire by earnings.Bel Esprit has come a long way since winning his first race – the 1000m Pierre Fontaine at Moonee Valley – back in October 2001. Four straight wins would follow including the Blue Diamond Stakes, his first Group One.
All up, Bel Esprit would start 19 times, all of them in stakes company, and brought home a cheque in 15. He raced in 12 Group Ones, with a 1-2 finish in six. He would bow out with a victory in the Doomben 10,000-G1 and head to stud in the spring of 2003.
Nearly 500 foals and an Australian record 266 covers last season, Bel Esprit is poised to continue re-writing history.
His first winner, Gabbidon, won a 2YO Maiden at Murray Bridge in the spring of 2006 and would win the MRC Thousand Guineas Prelude-G3 12 months on. Injury would prevent a tilt at the Thousand Guineas-G1 as nominal favourite. Shortly before, Bel Mer defeated a star studded field to win the Quezette Stakes-LR, a field which included the Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond winners. In March, Bel Mer repeated the dose in the JRA Stakes for her second stakes victory.
What an amazing performance. With just two crops of racing age, Bel Esprit has been crowned Champion Victorian Sire for 2007-08. Eliza Park can’t say definitively that he’s the only sire to achieve such a distinction and, given that none of us have been around since Scobie Breasley was in short pants, we won’t ‘declare’ it, but it’s a tremendous effort nevertheless.
Belcentra stepped out on Melbourne Cup day at Flemington and won the Lexus-LR by six lengths, Vivacious Spirit is a winner and four times stakes placed from just eight outings, Blue Sky is stakes placed in Melbourne, Tassology, Esprit de Roses, Snip Esprit, Sonic Spree, Babieca Noire and Spirited Halo have all won in town, as has Royal Esprit, winner of three of his last four.
And buyers have responded accordingly with his yearlings selling to $460,000 in 2008. Naturally enough, his new round of 2YO's are with all the leading stables. Interesting times ahead for Victoria’s new king.
August 11th, 2008
Indeed, it was almost a clean sweep for the son of Royal Academy who was Champion Victorian Second Season Sire by earnings, Champion Victorian Second Season Sire by (35) winners (equal with Dash For Cash, but with a superior strike rate), Champion Victorian 2YO Sire by (8) winners and second Leading Victorian 2YO Sire by earnings.Bel Esprit has come a long way since winning his first race – the 1000m Pierre Fontaine at Moonee Valley – back in October 2001. Four straight wins would follow including the Blue Diamond Stakes, his first Group One.
All up, Bel Esprit would start 19 times, all of them in stakes company, and brought home a cheque in 15. He raced in 12 Group Ones, with a 1-2 finish in six. He would bow out with a victory in the Doomben 10,000-G1 and head to stud in the spring of 2003.
Nearly 500 foals and an Australian record 266 covers last season, Bel Esprit is poised to continue re-writing history.
His first winner, Gabbidon, won a 2YO Maiden at Murray Bridge in the spring of 2006 and would win the MRC Thousand Guineas Prelude-G3 12 months on. Injury would prevent a tilt at the Thousand Guineas-G1 as nominal favourite. Shortly before, Bel Mer defeated a star studded field to win the Quezette Stakes-LR, a field which included the Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond winners. In March, Bel Mer repeated the dose in the JRA Stakes for her second stakes victory.
What an amazing performance. With just two crops of racing age, Bel Esprit has been crowned Champion Victorian Sire for 2007-08. Eliza Park can’t say definitively that he’s the only sire to achieve such a distinction and, given that none of us have been around since Scobie Breasley was in short pants, we won’t ‘declare’ it, but it’s a tremendous effort nevertheless.
Belcentra stepped out on Melbourne Cup day at Flemington and won the Lexus-LR by six lengths, Vivacious Spirit is a winner and four times stakes placed from just eight outings, Blue Sky is stakes placed in Melbourne, Tassology, Esprit de Roses, Snip Esprit, Sonic Spree, Babieca Noire and Spirited Halo have all won in town, as has Royal Esprit, winner of three of his last four.
And buyers have responded accordingly with his yearlings selling to $460,000 in 2008. Naturally enough, his new round of 2YO's are with all the leading stables. Interesting times ahead for Victoria’s new king.
Royal Esprit 11/8/08
Royal Esprit at Rosehill.
August 11th, 2008.
Bel Esprit has started the new season off the same way he finished the last with a winner when Royal Esprit took out the 1200 metre welter at Rosehill on Saturday.
Royal Esprit, a $160,000 purchase from the draft of Huntworth Stud at the 2006 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, was recently transferred to John Hawkes at the start of this preparation and he 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 will be placed to further advantage in coming weeks, his overall record now stands at five wins and two placing's with more than $120,000 in earnings from 13 starts.Royal Esprit was bred and offered for sale by Huntworth Stud, and is the first foal of the Brief Truce 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 264 mares last spring at a fee of $20,000 (inc gst).This spring his fee is $33,000 (inc gst).
August 11th, 2008.
Bel Esprit has started the new season off the same way he finished the last with a winner when Royal Esprit took out the 1200 metre welter at Rosehill on Saturday.
Royal Esprit, a $160,000 purchase from the draft of Huntworth Stud at the 2006 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, was recently transferred to John Hawkes at the start of this preparation and he 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 will be placed to further advantage in coming weeks, his overall record now stands at five wins and two placing's with more than $120,000 in earnings from 13 starts.Royal Esprit was bred and offered for sale by Huntworth Stud, and is the first foal of the Brief Truce 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 264 mares last spring at a fee of $20,000 (inc gst).This spring his fee is $33,000 (inc gst).
Tassology 19/6/08
Tassology at Sandown.
June 19th, 2008
The promising juvenile filly Tassology broke her maiden with a very strong win at Sandown over 1400m. Tassology had been unlucky at her last start at Geelong when shuffled back early before getting home strongly to just miss over 1200 metres on the Thoroughtrack. That event was against the fillies and at Sandown she stepped out against the males as well, settling back under Victoria's leading jockey Craig Williams she tracked into the race just before the turn and made a strong run down the middle of the track to score going away.
Tassology is the only foal to race out of In A Teacup (by Mystery Storm), a half-sister to the Group I STC H.E. Tancred Stakes and WATC Australian Derby winner, Heroicity (by Cheraw). She is one of the many success stories that come out of the Lee Freedman yard owned by Slade Bloodstock, which is run by Rob and Corrina Slade. The Slades have named her well as Tassology is a term used for the art of reading tea leaves.
June 19th, 2008
The promising juvenile filly Tassology broke her maiden with a very strong win at Sandown over 1400m. Tassology had been unlucky at her last start at Geelong when shuffled back early before getting home strongly to just miss over 1200 metres on the Thoroughtrack. That event was against the fillies and at Sandown she stepped out against the males as well, settling back under Victoria's leading jockey Craig Williams she tracked into the race just before the turn and made a strong run down the middle of the track to score going away.
Tassology is the only foal to race out of In A Teacup (by Mystery Storm), a half-sister to the Group I STC H.E. Tancred Stakes and WATC Australian Derby winner, Heroicity (by Cheraw). She is one of the many success stories that come out of the Lee Freedman yard owned by Slade Bloodstock, which is run by Rob and Corrina Slade. The Slades have named her well as Tassology is a term used for the art of reading tea leaves.
Vivacious Spirit 10/2/08
Vivacious Spirit at Caulfield.
February 10th, 2008
Talented three filly, Vivacious Spirit was coming back off stakes class to the Sandown Park (U.K.) Hcp at Caulfield on Saturday and took the event with ease.
Jumping away best from barrier four in the 11-strong field under Craig Newitt who allowed the bay daughter of Bel Esprit to stride to the front. Controlling the race off a solid tempo he then allowed her to drift out two or three horses away from the inside rail in the straight. Asking her for another effort she accelerated away from her rivals to score a solid length-and-three-quarters win over La Goulue (Danehill Dancer - Yes She Can Cancan by Canny Lad) with Centexpress (Centaine - Brooke's Express by Snippets) another 2-3/4 lengths away in third.
The win was Vivacious Spirit's second after her excellent third first-up run in the Listed Kevin Hayes (1200m) Stakes at the same track two weeks earlier on return from her short let-up. Along with that black type placing the victory on Saturday was her second and it took her in her earnings past $90,000. Out of the Snippets mare Bit of Bliss who is the dam of the nine time winner Jacques Le Naif (by Encosta de Lago) and descends from a family that's produced the Group One winners, Al Hareb (by El Gran Senor) and Snowland (by Snippets).
February 10th, 2008
Talented three filly, Vivacious Spirit was coming back off stakes class to the Sandown Park (U.K.) Hcp at Caulfield on Saturday and took the event with ease.
Jumping away best from barrier four in the 11-strong field under Craig Newitt who allowed the bay daughter of Bel Esprit to stride to the front. Controlling the race off a solid tempo he then allowed her to drift out two or three horses away from the inside rail in the straight. Asking her for another effort she accelerated away from her rivals to score a solid length-and-three-quarters win over La Goulue (Danehill Dancer - Yes She Can Cancan by Canny Lad) with Centexpress (Centaine - Brooke's Express by Snippets) another 2-3/4 lengths away in third.
The win was Vivacious Spirit's second after her excellent third first-up run in the Listed Kevin Hayes (1200m) Stakes at the same track two weeks earlier on return from her short let-up. Along with that black type placing the victory on Saturday was her second and it took her in her earnings past $90,000. Out of the Snippets mare Bit of Bliss who is the dam of the nine time winner Jacques Le Naif (by Encosta de Lago) and descends from a family that's produced the Group One winners, Al Hareb (by El Gran Senor) and Snowland (by Snippets).
Gabbidon 19/10/06, 7/05/07, 2/9/07, 23/9/07
A First For Bel Esprit
Thursday 19.10.2006
Exciting juvenile Gabbidon's win at Murray Bridge was the first victory by Bel Esprit’s offspring - ringing in a new era in Australian breeding. The ‘Bel’ tolled yesterday with the victory of exciting juvenile, Gabbidon, at Murray Bridge, thus becoming Bel Esprit’s first winner and, potentially, ringing in a new era in Australian breeding.Somewhat fittingly, Gabbidon is from multiple city winning Scenic mare Eliza Park which, technically, makes this Eliza Park’s first Bel Esprit winner too … in more ways than one (just the way we planned it!).A decidedly buoyant, Shane McGrath, believes this is first among many: “For Bel Esprit to notch up his first winner this early in the season … well, it’s simply fantastic.“Let’s face it – on ‘paper’ – Bel Esprit is a moral to be successful: he was unquestionably one of the best 2YOs we’ve seen for a long time, he raced on at three (BTC Doomben 10,000-G1 and Champion 3YO), he’s well bred for Australian conditions (by Royal Academy out of a Vain mare) and he’s powerful.“Having said that, it’s great to get the first winner away.”And, not surprisingly, the ‘esprit de corps’ at Eliza Park is running fairly high, particularly as this Eliza Park filly first saw the light of day at Eliza Park!“They don’t get much more ‘home-bred’ than this,” Shane adds. “Eliza Park was raced by Eliza Park owner, Lee Fleming, and naturally Lee was keen to send her to Bel Esprit when he retired to stud.“Gabbidon was a lovely type from day one and we sent her across to Adelaide where she fetched $110,000 … top price for a Bel Esprit at that sale.”(The first Bel Esprit yearlings would also sell to $200,000 on the Gold Coast, $200,000 in Melbourne and $160,000 in Sydney, underlining his ‘universal’ appeal).“We all can’t wait for the 2007 yearling sales,” Shane emphasises. “If you thought his first crop were nice types, wait until you see his second lot!
Group 3 for Gabbidon
It was group one Goodwood Handicap day at Morphettville in South Australia on Sunday and one of the smart performances on the undercard was turned in by the Bel Esprit filly, Gabbidon, with her victory in the Group 3 The Jansz (1200m).Gabbidon (ex Eliza Park by Scenic) was coming off an unlucky fourth in the Listed SA Stakes (1050m), behind Fasline, got away from her rivals at the top of the straight and scored an impressive half-length win over Purrealist (Tale of the Cat - Surrealist) with Little Arrow (Align - Cupid's Dart) another two lengths away in third.Prepared in South Australia by Gary Kennewell, who told SKY, that she will now head to Queensland for the feature Group 2 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and the Group I T.J. Smith Stakes (1600m). “She’s always been a really nice horse, pretty classy,” Kennewell said. “I fell in love with her the first time I saw here and had to have her.”Kennewell paid $110,000 for the Bel Esprit filly, from the 2006 Magic Millions Adeliade sale from the draft of Eliza Park Stud and provides her young sire with his first stakes winner.Bel Esprit's is well represented by a number of quality youngsters at the forthcoming Magic Millions National Sale at the Gold Coast in June, with seven weanlings catalogued, four colts and three fillies, and another five yearlings are catalogued including a half sister to Group One winner Rockabubble.Bel Esprit's fee remains the same as last year's fee this spring at $20,000 (inc gst).
Gabbidon at Caulfield.
Thursday 19.10.2006
Exciting juvenile Gabbidon's win at Murray Bridge was the first victory by Bel Esprit’s offspring - ringing in a new era in Australian breeding. The ‘Bel’ tolled yesterday with the victory of exciting juvenile, Gabbidon, at Murray Bridge, thus becoming Bel Esprit’s first winner and, potentially, ringing in a new era in Australian breeding.Somewhat fittingly, Gabbidon is from multiple city winning Scenic mare Eliza Park which, technically, makes this Eliza Park’s first Bel Esprit winner too … in more ways than one (just the way we planned it!).A decidedly buoyant, Shane McGrath, believes this is first among many: “For Bel Esprit to notch up his first winner this early in the season … well, it’s simply fantastic.“Let’s face it – on ‘paper’ – Bel Esprit is a moral to be successful: he was unquestionably one of the best 2YOs we’ve seen for a long time, he raced on at three (BTC Doomben 10,000-G1 and Champion 3YO), he’s well bred for Australian conditions (by Royal Academy out of a Vain mare) and he’s powerful.“Having said that, it’s great to get the first winner away.”And, not surprisingly, the ‘esprit de corps’ at Eliza Park is running fairly high, particularly as this Eliza Park filly first saw the light of day at Eliza Park!“They don’t get much more ‘home-bred’ than this,” Shane adds. “Eliza Park was raced by Eliza Park owner, Lee Fleming, and naturally Lee was keen to send her to Bel Esprit when he retired to stud.“Gabbidon was a lovely type from day one and we sent her across to Adelaide where she fetched $110,000 … top price for a Bel Esprit at that sale.”(The first Bel Esprit yearlings would also sell to $200,000 on the Gold Coast, $200,000 in Melbourne and $160,000 in Sydney, underlining his ‘universal’ appeal).“We all can’t wait for the 2007 yearling sales,” Shane emphasises. “If you thought his first crop were nice types, wait until you see his second lot!
Group 3 for Gabbidon
It was group one Goodwood Handicap day at Morphettville in South Australia on Sunday and one of the smart performances on the undercard was turned in by the Bel Esprit filly, Gabbidon, with her victory in the Group 3 The Jansz (1200m).Gabbidon (ex Eliza Park by Scenic) was coming off an unlucky fourth in the Listed SA Stakes (1050m), behind Fasline, got away from her rivals at the top of the straight and scored an impressive half-length win over Purrealist (Tale of the Cat - Surrealist) with Little Arrow (Align - Cupid's Dart) another two lengths away in third.Prepared in South Australia by Gary Kennewell, who told SKY, that she will now head to Queensland for the feature Group 2 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and the Group I T.J. Smith Stakes (1600m). “She’s always been a really nice horse, pretty classy,” Kennewell said. “I fell in love with her the first time I saw here and had to have her.”Kennewell paid $110,000 for the Bel Esprit filly, from the 2006 Magic Millions Adeliade sale from the draft of Eliza Park Stud and provides her young sire with his first stakes winner.Bel Esprit's is well represented by a number of quality youngsters at the forthcoming Magic Millions National Sale at the Gold Coast in June, with seven weanlings catalogued, four colts and three fillies, and another five yearlings are catalogued including a half sister to Group One winner Rockabubble.Bel Esprit's fee remains the same as last year's fee this spring at $20,000 (inc gst).
Gabbidon at Caulfield.
September 2nd, 2007
Racing was back on track after the equine influenza crisis that halted racing last Saturday and in the first race of the 11-race Memsie and McNeil Stakes card, South Australian trainer Gary Kennewell drew first blood when Gabbidon took out the Bourke Street TAB Hcp (1400m) on Saturday at Caulfield. The promising daughter of Bel Esprit had been staying with Graeme Rogerson's Flemington stables for nearly three weeks, and with plenty of time to settle in she ran right up to her top class effort behind Bel Mer at the same track three weeks earlier to claim her third career success from just six starts.Gabbidon had previously shown her ability with a win over highly-rated colt Purrealist in the Group Three The Jansz (1200m) at Morphettville back in May before being spelled.At her first run in Victoria, she was ridden by Nick Ryan in the Quezette Stakes, where the stewards report highlighted she was slowly away and Ryan dropped his whip near the 400m when she finished seventh of eight to Bel Mer in the Listed event when resuming on August 18.On Saturday Gabbidon was ridden by Craig Newitt, from barrier two and she raced in the first four throughout in a slowly-run race with Enjoy the Joureny leading them to the home turn with Catalan Bay just behind her trying to edge off the fence into the clear. Bonded and Gabbidon quickly joined in and Gabbidon ran home very strongly to score by 1-1/4 lengths from Absolut Glam (Snowland - Pine Away by Pine Bluff) with Bonded (Danewin - Betta Fortune by Luskin Star) a neck away in third.Gabbidon, is out of the Scenic mare Eliza Park, she cost her owners the Alpara Lodge syndicate $110,000 at the 2006 Adelaide Magic Millions yearling sale and she has won three of her six starts - with her earnings topping $110,000 in prizemoney she has paid for herself in full.Eliza Park descends from a very good family that features the group one BTC Doomben Cup winner Akhenaton (by Snippets) and the MRC Blue Diamond winner Paint (by Raami).Kennewell will aim the filly towards the Group I Thousand Guineas (1600m) at the same track on October 17, with her next run in the Group 3 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 22.Over in South Australia at Morphettville, Bel Esprit, made it a two-state metropolitan double when Snip Esprit (ex French Snip by Snippets) took out the Allan Scott Hcp (1050m) for three-year-olds by 3-1/4 lengths from Giant Killer (Elusive Quality - Serein by Snippets) with Graskey (Grass Wonder - Key to the Met by Mehmet) in third another neck away.
Group 3 for Gabbidon.
September 23rd, 2007
Bel Mer 19/8/07,4/11/07,30/08/08(4)
Black Trpe For Bel Mer.
At Caulfield on Saturday, Eliza Park's popular sire Bel Esprit, produced his second stakes winner, with a gutsy performance by Bel Mer in the MRC Listed Quezette Stakes (1100m).Prepared by Mick Price and ridden by Craig Newitt, she left barrier four best and ridden very aggressively she was taken straight to the front and set up a huge lead as they cornered. Upon straightening Bel Mer looked to have the race in her keeping, but she got very tired over the final 100m and she had the Blue Diamond winner chasing hard Sleek Chassis (Flying Spur - Tigereye by Kaapstad), however, Bel Mer lasted to score by a half-neck. Chinchilla Rose (Lion Hunter - Chiara by Last Tycoon) was another long head away in third.
Bel Mer had shown ability since her debut with placing's in the metropolitan area and she is the first stakes winner of the new season for Bel Esprit who recently grabbed the Leading Victorian First Season Sire title by winners and it appears the Champion son of Royal Academy is ready to carve a real niche at stud.
Many happy returns for flying Hussler
Tony BourkeNovember 4, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S latest star of the turf Weekend Hussler celebrated his third birthday with a win in the group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200 metres) at Flemington yesterday.Weekend Hussler was foaled on November 3, 2004, and this time next year he may be running in the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup.The gelding put up another stunning performance to notch his fifth successive win and next Saturday may back up against the older horses in the group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600 metres).Trainer Ross McDonald admitted he considered Weekend Hussler was more vulnerable in yesterday's race than in any other he had contested, but simply added: "He's the best horse I've ever trained."He said coming back from the 1600 metres of the Caulfield Guineas at his previous start was "a big ask" and he knew it was not going to be as easy as his odds of $1.65 suggested.Weekend Hussler was boxed up in the field for the first half of the race and jockey Brad Rawiller gave him a backhander with the whip to "click him into gear".Once into full stride, Weekend Hussler came away to beat Bel Mer ($21) by 2½ lengths with Scenic Blast ($11), who had chased him home in the Caulfield Guineas and tried to go with him yesterday when he sprinted, a head away third.While the overall time of one minute and 8.95 seconds was good, Weekend Hussler's final sectional was sensational, running his last 400 metres in 22.4 seconds.
Newitt Swaps One Top Mare For Another.
Craig Newitt enjoyed an association with top mare Miss Andretti which took him round the world, enjoying Group 1 success at Royal Ascot as well as Flemington.Today Miss Andretti's racing career closed on a sad note, with her tailed off a long last in the Clamms Seafood Stakes at Listed level.But Newitt was at the other end of the field, landing first prize with the Mick Price trained Bel Mer, another classy mare which made it 3 stakes wins from 11 starts.Bel Mer has a special liking for Caulfield, with all of her wins at the track. She has a record of 4 Caulfield starts for 3 wins and a second.Bel Mer ($11-$10) got up by a head to beat the David Hayes trained Red Element ($7.00-$7.50-$5.00), which in turn only had a head to spare from Monet Rules ($12-$13-$11).While still starting favourite, Miss Andretti drifted alarmingly on course from an opening quote of $2.00 to start at $3.20.Price gave credit for the win to Newitt whose perfectly timed run from fifth place at the 400 metres produced a head victory over Red Element which shot clear early in the straight.Price reckons he needled Newitt into improving his judgement by comparing him adversely to Damien Oliver."I've spoken to him a few times about the timing of his horses and said he needed to watch D. Oliver ride a few and he has and full credit to him.""He absolutely gets 10 out of 10 for that ride."Price now has lofty plans for Bel Mer which are perhaps made easier with Miss Andretti off the scene."I reckon she's improved and I want to run her in the Manikato", he said."I said to the owners if we win or run second that's where we'll go."The $350,000 Group 1 Cleanevent Manikato Stakes will be run over 1200m at Moonee Valley on the 13th of September.
Bel Mer Wins, Miss Andretti Retired
Story By Alex Steedman
Saturday, 30 August 2008:
Bel Mer and Craig Newitt have teamed up to win the Listed Seafood Stakes at Caulfield today while champion sprinter Miss Andretti ran her last race.Resuming after a four month spell, the Mick Price trained mare jumped from an outside gate and was positioned in midfield on the outside of runners by jockey Craig Newitt.Bel Mer was given a clear run in the straight and then began to reel in the David Hayes trained leader Red Element.The Bel Esprit mare grabbed the lead with about 100m to go and went on to post her third career win by a head over Red Element in second.Monet Rules who also resumed today finished a close third.Today's winner Bel Mer will likely line up in a fortnight in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes on September 13 at Moonee Valley.“I said to the owners as a four-year-old she looks fantastic and if she runs first, second or runs a really good race we'll run in the Manikato so that's where we'll go,” Bel Mer's trainer Mick Price said.It was the eighth time Craig Newitt had ridden Bel Mer and has only finished unplaced on her on one occasion behind Apache Cat in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington in February.“This mare has come along in leaps and bounds,” Newitt said. “Today I was really happy with her, the way she relaxed three deep with a bit of cover. She's got a really sharp turn of foot, it's only short but it's deadly.”While his association with Bel Mer continues to go from strength to strength, another regular ride of Newitt's in the form of Miss Andretti will be retired after her Seafood Stakes effort. “I'll never forget her,” Newitt said. “She took me all around the world and she'll definitely make a nice broodmare.”In her first start since a fourth in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes in March when caught in inferior ground, the five time Group 1 winner at her best would have been a class above her rivals today.Miss Andretti's run in today's Seafood Stakes was her first amongst Listed company since her Straight Six Stakes win in May 2006. Regardless, she was a drifter in the ring, getting out to as much as $3.20 after she opened as an odds-on favourite.
Third Stakes Win For Bel Mer
Story By Nathan Exelby
Saturday, 30 August 2008:
Australia's busiest stallion from last season, Bel Esprit, had his first black type winner for the new term when Bel Mer overcame a poor barrier to take the Listed Clamms Seafood Stakes at Caulfield today.Bel MerPhoto by Racing and SportsWith the EI lockdown, Victorian stallions had their busiest ever year in 2008 and none had more work to do than the G1 Blue Diamond and Doomben 10,000 winner. Bel Esprit worked his way through a massive book of 266 last year, joining fellow Victorian based stallions Elvstroem (222), Dash For Cash (221), Gonski (205) and God's Own (204) in the '200 club' last year.Fastnet Rock (257) was the only NSW based sire to reach 200, although Stratum, Encosta De Lago, Rock Of Gibraltar and Untouchable reached 190 or more. Bel Mer, a $110,000 graduate of the 2006 Magic Millions, was a dual stakes winner last year for Bel Esprit and she also ran second in the Group 1 Ascot Vale Stakes behind Weekend Hussler. She is one of three stakes winners for the stallion, joining fellow mares Belcentra and Gabbidon, who was a winner on this day last year. Bel Mer is one of four winners for the stakes winning At Talaq mare Drop Anchor. Today's race was marred by the poor performance of Horse of the Year Miss Andretti, who ran a long last.Trainer Lee Freedman said he could find nothing physically wrong with the mare, but his recommendation would be to now retire the five times Group 1 winner.
Stakes win for Bel Mer.
September 1st, 2008
Australia's busiest stallion from last season, Bel Esprit, had his first stakes winner of the new season when Bel Mer overcame a bad barrier draw to claim take the Listed Clamms Seafood Stakes (registered name: The Heath) at Caulfield on Saturday.Last spring, Victorian based stallions had their busiest year ever because of the EI lockdown and none had more work than the Group I Blue Diamond and Doomben 10,000 winner, Bel Esprit.Bel Esprit covered a massive book of 264 mares while another Victorian Elvstorem (Danehill) covered 222 mares as did Dash For Cash (Secret Savings) Other Victorian stallions to cover books of more than 200 were Gonski (Danehill) and God's Own (Redoute's Choice).The Heath heralded the return to the track for Horse of the Year 2006-07 Miss Andretti, it was probably her last race. Miss Andretti, ran last. Trained at Rye by Lee Freedman, who said, he could not find anything physically wrong with her, however, she has clearly lost her will to compete and he will recommend retirement for the five time Group 1 winner.Miss Andretti settled second in running for Dwayne Dunn she dropped right out in the straight, while Bel Mer was ridden back in the pack with plenty of cover and although she did it tough, Craig Newitt, produced her at the right time to let down well and get the better of Red Element (Red Ransom - Tracy's Element by Last Tycoon) to score by a head.Monet Rules (Commands - Paris Weekend by Gielgud) was the same margin away in third.Bel Mer is now bound for the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 13th as are the runner-up and third placegetter. Bel Mer, a $110,000 graduate of the 2006 Magic Millions yearling sale, is a triple stakes winner for Bel Esprit, she is one of four winners for her stakes winning dam, Drop Anchor (by At Talaq).Drop Anchor is out of the Sir Dapper mare, Marine Park a winner of eight races including the Listed VRC Straight Six
At Caulfield on Saturday, Eliza Park's popular sire Bel Esprit, produced his second stakes winner, with a gutsy performance by Bel Mer in the MRC Listed Quezette Stakes (1100m).Prepared by Mick Price and ridden by Craig Newitt, she left barrier four best and ridden very aggressively she was taken straight to the front and set up a huge lead as they cornered. Upon straightening Bel Mer looked to have the race in her keeping, but she got very tired over the final 100m and she had the Blue Diamond winner chasing hard Sleek Chassis (Flying Spur - Tigereye by Kaapstad), however, Bel Mer lasted to score by a half-neck. Chinchilla Rose (Lion Hunter - Chiara by Last Tycoon) was another long head away in third.
Bel Mer had shown ability since her debut with placing's in the metropolitan area and she is the first stakes winner of the new season for Bel Esprit who recently grabbed the Leading Victorian First Season Sire title by winners and it appears the Champion son of Royal Academy is ready to carve a real niche at stud.
Many happy returns for flying Hussler
Tony BourkeNovember 4, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S latest star of the turf Weekend Hussler celebrated his third birthday with a win in the group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200 metres) at Flemington yesterday.Weekend Hussler was foaled on November 3, 2004, and this time next year he may be running in the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup.The gelding put up another stunning performance to notch his fifth successive win and next Saturday may back up against the older horses in the group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600 metres).Trainer Ross McDonald admitted he considered Weekend Hussler was more vulnerable in yesterday's race than in any other he had contested, but simply added: "He's the best horse I've ever trained."He said coming back from the 1600 metres of the Caulfield Guineas at his previous start was "a big ask" and he knew it was not going to be as easy as his odds of $1.65 suggested.Weekend Hussler was boxed up in the field for the first half of the race and jockey Brad Rawiller gave him a backhander with the whip to "click him into gear".Once into full stride, Weekend Hussler came away to beat Bel Mer ($21) by 2½ lengths with Scenic Blast ($11), who had chased him home in the Caulfield Guineas and tried to go with him yesterday when he sprinted, a head away third.While the overall time of one minute and 8.95 seconds was good, Weekend Hussler's final sectional was sensational, running his last 400 metres in 22.4 seconds.
Newitt Swaps One Top Mare For Another.
Craig Newitt enjoyed an association with top mare Miss Andretti which took him round the world, enjoying Group 1 success at Royal Ascot as well as Flemington.Today Miss Andretti's racing career closed on a sad note, with her tailed off a long last in the Clamms Seafood Stakes at Listed level.But Newitt was at the other end of the field, landing first prize with the Mick Price trained Bel Mer, another classy mare which made it 3 stakes wins from 11 starts.Bel Mer has a special liking for Caulfield, with all of her wins at the track. She has a record of 4 Caulfield starts for 3 wins and a second.Bel Mer ($11-$10) got up by a head to beat the David Hayes trained Red Element ($7.00-$7.50-$5.00), which in turn only had a head to spare from Monet Rules ($12-$13-$11).While still starting favourite, Miss Andretti drifted alarmingly on course from an opening quote of $2.00 to start at $3.20.Price gave credit for the win to Newitt whose perfectly timed run from fifth place at the 400 metres produced a head victory over Red Element which shot clear early in the straight.Price reckons he needled Newitt into improving his judgement by comparing him adversely to Damien Oliver."I've spoken to him a few times about the timing of his horses and said he needed to watch D. Oliver ride a few and he has and full credit to him.""He absolutely gets 10 out of 10 for that ride."Price now has lofty plans for Bel Mer which are perhaps made easier with Miss Andretti off the scene."I reckon she's improved and I want to run her in the Manikato", he said."I said to the owners if we win or run second that's where we'll go."The $350,000 Group 1 Cleanevent Manikato Stakes will be run over 1200m at Moonee Valley on the 13th of September.
Bel Mer Wins, Miss Andretti Retired
Story By Alex Steedman
Saturday, 30 August 2008:
Bel Mer and Craig Newitt have teamed up to win the Listed Seafood Stakes at Caulfield today while champion sprinter Miss Andretti ran her last race.Resuming after a four month spell, the Mick Price trained mare jumped from an outside gate and was positioned in midfield on the outside of runners by jockey Craig Newitt.Bel Mer was given a clear run in the straight and then began to reel in the David Hayes trained leader Red Element.The Bel Esprit mare grabbed the lead with about 100m to go and went on to post her third career win by a head over Red Element in second.Monet Rules who also resumed today finished a close third.Today's winner Bel Mer will likely line up in a fortnight in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes on September 13 at Moonee Valley.“I said to the owners as a four-year-old she looks fantastic and if she runs first, second or runs a really good race we'll run in the Manikato so that's where we'll go,” Bel Mer's trainer Mick Price said.It was the eighth time Craig Newitt had ridden Bel Mer and has only finished unplaced on her on one occasion behind Apache Cat in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington in February.“This mare has come along in leaps and bounds,” Newitt said. “Today I was really happy with her, the way she relaxed three deep with a bit of cover. She's got a really sharp turn of foot, it's only short but it's deadly.”While his association with Bel Mer continues to go from strength to strength, another regular ride of Newitt's in the form of Miss Andretti will be retired after her Seafood Stakes effort. “I'll never forget her,” Newitt said. “She took me all around the world and she'll definitely make a nice broodmare.”In her first start since a fourth in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes in March when caught in inferior ground, the five time Group 1 winner at her best would have been a class above her rivals today.Miss Andretti's run in today's Seafood Stakes was her first amongst Listed company since her Straight Six Stakes win in May 2006. Regardless, she was a drifter in the ring, getting out to as much as $3.20 after she opened as an odds-on favourite.
Third Stakes Win For Bel Mer
Story By Nathan Exelby
Saturday, 30 August 2008:
Australia's busiest stallion from last season, Bel Esprit, had his first black type winner for the new term when Bel Mer overcame a poor barrier to take the Listed Clamms Seafood Stakes at Caulfield today.Bel MerPhoto by Racing and SportsWith the EI lockdown, Victorian stallions had their busiest ever year in 2008 and none had more work to do than the G1 Blue Diamond and Doomben 10,000 winner. Bel Esprit worked his way through a massive book of 266 last year, joining fellow Victorian based stallions Elvstroem (222), Dash For Cash (221), Gonski (205) and God's Own (204) in the '200 club' last year.Fastnet Rock (257) was the only NSW based sire to reach 200, although Stratum, Encosta De Lago, Rock Of Gibraltar and Untouchable reached 190 or more. Bel Mer, a $110,000 graduate of the 2006 Magic Millions, was a dual stakes winner last year for Bel Esprit and she also ran second in the Group 1 Ascot Vale Stakes behind Weekend Hussler. She is one of three stakes winners for the stallion, joining fellow mares Belcentra and Gabbidon, who was a winner on this day last year. Bel Mer is one of four winners for the stakes winning At Talaq mare Drop Anchor. Today's race was marred by the poor performance of Horse of the Year Miss Andretti, who ran a long last.Trainer Lee Freedman said he could find nothing physically wrong with the mare, but his recommendation would be to now retire the five times Group 1 winner.
Stakes win for Bel Mer.
September 1st, 2008
Australia's busiest stallion from last season, Bel Esprit, had his first stakes winner of the new season when Bel Mer overcame a bad barrier draw to claim take the Listed Clamms Seafood Stakes (registered name: The Heath) at Caulfield on Saturday.Last spring, Victorian based stallions had their busiest year ever because of the EI lockdown and none had more work than the Group I Blue Diamond and Doomben 10,000 winner, Bel Esprit.Bel Esprit covered a massive book of 264 mares while another Victorian Elvstorem (Danehill) covered 222 mares as did Dash For Cash (Secret Savings) Other Victorian stallions to cover books of more than 200 were Gonski (Danehill) and God's Own (Redoute's Choice).The Heath heralded the return to the track for Horse of the Year 2006-07 Miss Andretti, it was probably her last race. Miss Andretti, ran last. Trained at Rye by Lee Freedman, who said, he could not find anything physically wrong with her, however, she has clearly lost her will to compete and he will recommend retirement for the five time Group 1 winner.Miss Andretti settled second in running for Dwayne Dunn she dropped right out in the straight, while Bel Mer was ridden back in the pack with plenty of cover and although she did it tough, Craig Newitt, produced her at the right time to let down well and get the better of Red Element (Red Ransom - Tracy's Element by Last Tycoon) to score by a head.Monet Rules (Commands - Paris Weekend by Gielgud) was the same margin away in third.Bel Mer is now bound for the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 13th as are the runner-up and third placegetter. Bel Mer, a $110,000 graduate of the 2006 Magic Millions yearling sale, is a triple stakes winner for Bel Esprit, she is one of four winners for her stakes winning dam, Drop Anchor (by At Talaq).Drop Anchor is out of the Sir Dapper mare, Marine Park a winner of eight races including the Listed VRC Straight Six
Rich Forever 19/1/2007
Rich Forever
We trust you all snapped up the $3.10 on Rich Forever at Geelong today (Thursday)?Not as if you didn’t get the ‘oil’ …Rich Forever set the alarm bells ringing on debut when he ran a great second behind fellow Bel Esprit 2YO – Beau Esprit – at Werribee on New Year’s Eve.Trainer Tony Vasil declared then that he had an above average young’un in his midst and, while none of us are going to be rich forever on $3.10, it’s better than bank interest.Rich Forever showed ‘em a clean quartet of hoofs at Geelong, sprinting away effortlessly to notch up a comfortable victory over Apple Crumble.The third winner from seven runners for first crop sire Bel Esprit, one of Australia’s favourite racehorses in the past decade and now firmly ensconced at Eliza Park, Victoria.But while Rich Forever may have snuck under the radar, the Bel Esprit's certainly haven’t. Bel Esprit’s 2nd crop of yearlings went under the hammer on the Gold Coast last week, selling up to $145,000 and finding all the right ‘homes’. Indeed three are destined for the all-conquering Freedman stable (trainer of Beau Esprit).
We trust you all snapped up the $3.10 on Rich Forever at Geelong today (Thursday)?Not as if you didn’t get the ‘oil’ …Rich Forever set the alarm bells ringing on debut when he ran a great second behind fellow Bel Esprit 2YO – Beau Esprit – at Werribee on New Year’s Eve.Trainer Tony Vasil declared then that he had an above average young’un in his midst and, while none of us are going to be rich forever on $3.10, it’s better than bank interest.Rich Forever showed ‘em a clean quartet of hoofs at Geelong, sprinting away effortlessly to notch up a comfortable victory over Apple Crumble.The third winner from seven runners for first crop sire Bel Esprit, one of Australia’s favourite racehorses in the past decade and now firmly ensconced at Eliza Park, Victoria.But while Rich Forever may have snuck under the radar, the Bel Esprit's certainly haven’t. Bel Esprit’s 2nd crop of yearlings went under the hammer on the Gold Coast last week, selling up to $145,000 and finding all the right ‘homes’. Indeed three are destined for the all-conquering Freedman stable (trainer of Beau Esprit).
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