Bel has Best Average over ALL Seasons
Bel Esprit can proudly boast that he has the best average win percentage of Stallion’s progeny over all seasons.
Stallion--- Wins--Win%--Ind.W--Runs--Ind.R
BEL ESPRIT
-------------201---16%----105----1295--183
MORE THAN READY
-------------535---15%----203----3570--315
REDOUTE'S CHOICE
-------------837---15%----329----5422--457
DANETIME
-------------294---15%----110----1938--155
HUSSONET
-------------218---15%----108----1483--176
ROCK OF GIBRALTAR
-------------203---14%----93-----1495--190
CHOISIR
-------------261---14%----130----1894--231
COMMANDS
-------------910---14%----306----6297--442
SEQUALO
------------1210---13%----368----9358--576
TESTA ROSSA
-------------573---13%----217-----4471--311
ENCOSTA DE LAGO
------------1587---12%----533---12884--640
Friday, July 31, 2009
Bel Esprit 30/07/09
Bel Esprit is Champion Victorian Stallion
30 Jul 2009
Racing Victoria Ltd
The annual Victorian Owners & Breeders Awards event will be held at Caulfield on Saturday to honour outstanding achievements in breeding and racing from the 2008/2009 season.
The event is proudly sponsored by Stable Financial who are strong supporters of the thoroughbred industry, in particular the Victorian breeding sector.
“Stable Financial have enjoyed a long association hosting functions on the Horse’s Birthday so when the opportunity to partner with the industry on an event such as this was presented we jumped at the chance.
“Our firm’s client base consists of a large number of owners and breeders so we are delighted to be honouring them and others on Saturday at Caulfield,” said Stable Financial Director Adam Tims.
The day will see awards presented to the Leading Trainer, Owner and Nominator of Super VOBIS as well as TBV awards including Champion Victoria Stallion, Champion Freshman Stallion and Leading Victorian Breeder.
For the first time, Peter Moody has taken out the Super VOBIS Trainers Premiership which has previously been dominated by David Hayes.
“Our stable has made a conscious decision to target Victorian bred yearlings at the sales to take advantage of the Super VOBIS scheme and we have also received support from a number of Victorian breeders who have retained their yearlings and sent them to us.
“This has obviously paid handsome dividends this season and it is a tribute to the quality stock being produced in Victoria,” said Peter Moody’s Racing Manager Jeff O’Connor.
Not surprisingly the Champion Victorian Stallion has gone to boom sire Bel Esprit.The former champion sprinter has enjoyed a breakout season with Group 1 winner Bel Mer (Robert Sangster Stakes) and boom youngster Black Caviar amongst his successes.
First season honours go to Blue Gum resident Elvstroem which joins an illustrious list of stallions to take out that award over the years.
“Victoria has built up an exciting stallion roster over the past five years and it is testament to the hard work by Eliza Park and Blue Gum Farm that they have won these awards,” said TBV President Tim Johnson.
30 Jul 2009
Racing Victoria Ltd
The annual Victorian Owners & Breeders Awards event will be held at Caulfield on Saturday to honour outstanding achievements in breeding and racing from the 2008/2009 season.
The event is proudly sponsored by Stable Financial who are strong supporters of the thoroughbred industry, in particular the Victorian breeding sector.
“Stable Financial have enjoyed a long association hosting functions on the Horse’s Birthday so when the opportunity to partner with the industry on an event such as this was presented we jumped at the chance.
“Our firm’s client base consists of a large number of owners and breeders so we are delighted to be honouring them and others on Saturday at Caulfield,” said Stable Financial Director Adam Tims.
The day will see awards presented to the Leading Trainer, Owner and Nominator of Super VOBIS as well as TBV awards including Champion Victoria Stallion, Champion Freshman Stallion and Leading Victorian Breeder.
For the first time, Peter Moody has taken out the Super VOBIS Trainers Premiership which has previously been dominated by David Hayes.
“Our stable has made a conscious decision to target Victorian bred yearlings at the sales to take advantage of the Super VOBIS scheme and we have also received support from a number of Victorian breeders who have retained their yearlings and sent them to us.
“This has obviously paid handsome dividends this season and it is a tribute to the quality stock being produced in Victoria,” said Peter Moody’s Racing Manager Jeff O’Connor.
Not surprisingly the Champion Victorian Stallion has gone to boom sire Bel Esprit.The former champion sprinter has enjoyed a breakout season with Group 1 winner Bel Mer (Robert Sangster Stakes) and boom youngster Black Caviar amongst his successes.
First season honours go to Blue Gum resident Elvstroem which joins an illustrious list of stallions to take out that award over the years.
“Victoria has built up an exciting stallion roster over the past five years and it is testament to the hard work by Eliza Park and Blue Gum Farm that they have won these awards,” said TBV President Tim Johnson.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Alesprit 30/07/09
Alesprit Joins Laming Stable
Thursday, 30 July 2009:
Brilliant North Queensland filly Alesprit has recovered from a leg injury and has joined the Bevan Laming stable for a metropolitan campaign. Alesprit was transferred last week from Rockhampton trainer Tom Bourke after her owners decided she deserved a chance to run for bigger prizemoney.
She is the second exciting prospect to leave the Bourke stable this season after he lost another of his stars Abirra - a subsequent Brisbane winner - for the same reason.
Alesprit's first start for Bourke in Rockhampton in February resulted in a 11 lengfths win in 2YO event over 1000m in less than 57 seconds.
She then didn't race until April when she was beaten only a long neck in the Capricorn Classic, a great effort as she was later found to have suffered a fetlock injury that required an operation to remove bone fragments.
She was sent to Laming after pre-training after plans to send her to Melbourne trainer Mick Price for the spring carnival were shelved.
Thursday, 30 July 2009:
Brilliant North Queensland filly Alesprit has recovered from a leg injury and has joined the Bevan Laming stable for a metropolitan campaign. Alesprit was transferred last week from Rockhampton trainer Tom Bourke after her owners decided she deserved a chance to run for bigger prizemoney.
She is the second exciting prospect to leave the Bourke stable this season after he lost another of his stars Abirra - a subsequent Brisbane winner - for the same reason.
Alesprit's first start for Bourke in Rockhampton in February resulted in a 11 lengfths win in 2YO event over 1000m in less than 57 seconds.
She then didn't race until April when she was beaten only a long neck in the Capricorn Classic, a great effort as she was later found to have suffered a fetlock injury that required an operation to remove bone fragments.
She was sent to Laming after pre-training after plans to send her to Melbourne trainer Mick Price for the spring carnival were shelved.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
La Vie Esprit 29/07/09
The Spirit of Life
La Vie Esprit, what a great name and the translation means The spirit of life and the Owners of the racehorse La Vie Esprit, Mrs S Shaw, J A Sh.aw, R & J Kennedy Syn, K G Williams, Mrs B P Williams & P Grace have the spirit of winning today.
Trained by Brian Smith, this Bel Esprit filly won at her fourth start, the Mitty's Two-Years-Old Handicap with Joe Bowditch aboard, over 1500m at Eagle Farm today. She was sold at the Magic Millions sale for $24,000 and the way she won today, that money will be quickly recouped.
La Vie Esprit (AUS) [2006]Brian Smith
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Growing Market (USA)
Sold $22000 at Magic Millions 2007 National Select Weanling Sale by Emerald Thoroughbreds, Wiseman's Ferry NSW
Sold $24000, Magic Millions, QLD at Magic Millions 2008 National Select Yearling Sale by Wise
Siblings
TOPPEAR (AUS) [1999] - DANEHILL (USA)1w-1p-29s $6,300Race: 1100-3000m Won: 1600-1600m Wet: 0w-0p-6s
PHARAOH'S QUEEN (AUS) [2001] - KING OF KINGS (IRE)2w-3p-39s $8,400Race: 806-1868m Won: 1100-1370m Wet: 0w-0p-7s
MARKET STRATEGY (AUS) [2003] - STRATEGIC (AUS)0w-0p-4sRace: 1000-1700m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
VAL DE XAAR (AUS) [2004] - XAAR (GB)0w-0p-8sRace: 1000-2030m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
La Vie Esprit, what a great name and the translation means The spirit of life and the Owners of the racehorse La Vie Esprit, Mrs S Shaw, J A Sh.aw, R & J Kennedy Syn, K G Williams, Mrs B P Williams & P Grace have the spirit of winning today.
Trained by Brian Smith, this Bel Esprit filly won at her fourth start, the Mitty's Two-Years-Old Handicap with Joe Bowditch aboard, over 1500m at Eagle Farm today. She was sold at the Magic Millions sale for $24,000 and the way she won today, that money will be quickly recouped.
La Vie Esprit (AUS) [2006]Brian Smith
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Growing Market (USA)
Sold $22000 at Magic Millions 2007 National Select Weanling Sale by Emerald Thoroughbreds, Wiseman's Ferry NSW
Sold $24000, Magic Millions, QLD at Magic Millions 2008 National Select Yearling Sale by Wise
Siblings
TOPPEAR (AUS) [1999] - DANEHILL (USA)1w-1p-29s $6,300Race: 1100-3000m Won: 1600-1600m Wet: 0w-0p-6s
PHARAOH'S QUEEN (AUS) [2001] - KING OF KINGS (IRE)2w-3p-39s $8,400Race: 806-1868m Won: 1100-1370m Wet: 0w-0p-7s
MARKET STRATEGY (AUS) [2003] - STRATEGIC (AUS)0w-0p-4sRace: 1000-1700m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
VAL DE XAAR (AUS) [2004] - XAAR (GB)0w-0p-8sRace: 1000-2030m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Royal Saint 27/07/09
The Royal Saint of Wellington
Steve Beattie told me he saw a good Bel Esprit filly win at Wellington yesterday. The horse was Royal Saint and it won by five lengths, ridden by Greg Ryan, trained by Phillip Ayoub and handled the slow track very well.
At the Inglis Sales in 2006 she was passed in for $6,000 with a reserve of $15,000 for Chatswood Lodge
Royal Saint had her first race at Ballarat on the 14/12/08, she started favourite and finished third on a heavy track. That day she was trained by Peter Moody.
Next two starts were in Queensland in January finishing a 6.8 length seventh and then started favourite again, finishing thirteen of fifteen at Ipswich and was trained by Kelly Schweida
She beat Unforgivable Woman (won next start) in a trial for her new trainer Phillip Ayoub on 28/06/09, so it's not hard to see why she started at $3.20 in yesterday's RADIO 2 DU MDN HCP over 1100m
Royal Saint (AUS) [2005]Phillip Ayoub
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Poniard (AUS)
Siblings
YOU'RE IN DANGER (AUS) [2002] - DANGEROUS (AUS)0w-1p-6s $1,000Race: 1200-1600m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-3s
PONTCHATEAU (AUS) [2003] - DIATRIBE (AUS)0w-1p-10s $1,700Race: 1100-1400m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
GOLD HELP (AUS) [2004] - DANGEROUS (AUS)4w-9p-29s $159,500Race: 1000-1400m Won: 1200-1400m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
1st DAM
PONIARD, by Lake Coniston (Ire). 1 win at 1400m. 3d BTC Moet & Chandon Maiden H., Gunsynd Garden Betting Maiden H. This is her fourth foal.
2nd DAM
PANGA (IRE), by Thatching. 2 wins at 5, 6f. inc. Leopardstown Silver Flash S.
L. 4th Curragh 2 YO S. Gr 3. Half-sister to CAROL'S TREASURE,FLAME VIOLET, BURAIDA (dam of Desert Royalty). Dam of 4 namedfoals, 3 raced, all winners inc.– SYDNEY GEORGE. 3 wins at 1200, 1300m.PONIARD. See above.
3rd DAM
REALLY SHARP, by Sharpen Up. Unraced. Half-sister to Bydar. Dam of 10 named foals, 9 raced, 6 winners inc.–
CAROL'S TREASURE (c by Balidar). 7 wins at 5, 6f. inc. York Roses S. L,Haydock Field Marshal S. L. 2d Goodwood King George S. Gr 3, SandownTrafalgar House Sprint S. L. 3d Doncaster Flying Childers S. Gr 2,Goodwood Richmond S. Gr 2, Newmarket Palace House S. Gr 3,Goodwood King George S. Gr 3. 4th Newbury Mill Reef S. Gr 2.
FLAME VIOLET (f by Fairy King). 3 wins at 5, 6f. at 2 inc. Leopardstown
Rochestown S. L, Curragh 2 YO Maiden H. Producer.PANGA (IRE). See above. PERUKE. Won Curragh Maiden H. (6f.). 2d Curragh Scurry H.BURAIDA. 1 win at 6f. in Great Britain. Dam of 3 winners inc.–
Desert Royalty (f by Alhaarth). 4 wins inc. Epsom Workwithoptions.Com
H. 2d Haydock Pinnacle S. L. 3d York Galtres S. L. CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE. Placed at 2. Dam of– GOOD CHOCOLATE. 2 wins inc. Rome Premio Divino Amore L.
4th DAM
REAL PARTY, by Realm. 1 win at 5f. at 2. Three-quarter sister to CANTEEN,SAUCY FLIRT (dam of MADAM GAY, British). Half-sister to STAINCROSS. Dam of 13 named foals, 10 raced, 4 winners inc.–
Bydar (g by Balidar). 17 wins in Italy. 3d Milan Premio Delle Scuderie L. BLUE DANISH. 12 wins 1200 to 1400m. inc. Evry Prix de Mereville.
5th DAM PICNIC PARTY, by Honeyway. 2 wins at 6f. Half-sister to ARVAK,
Masquerade. Dam of 15 named foals, 14 raced, 11 winners inc.–STAINCROSS (GB). 4 wins at 5, 6f. inc. Ascot Hyperion S. Sire.CANTEEN. 2 wins at 5f. at 2 inc. Epsom Acorn S., Newmarket Littleport S. SAUCY FLIRT. 2 wins at 6f. 4th Ascot 1000 Guineas Trial S. Gr 3. Dam of–
MADAM GAY (f by Star Appeal). Won Chantilly Prix de Diane Gr 1 .
Steve Beattie told me he saw a good Bel Esprit filly win at Wellington yesterday. The horse was Royal Saint and it won by five lengths, ridden by Greg Ryan, trained by Phillip Ayoub and handled the slow track very well.
At the Inglis Sales in 2006 she was passed in for $6,000 with a reserve of $15,000 for Chatswood Lodge
Royal Saint had her first race at Ballarat on the 14/12/08, she started favourite and finished third on a heavy track. That day she was trained by Peter Moody.
Next two starts were in Queensland in January finishing a 6.8 length seventh and then started favourite again, finishing thirteen of fifteen at Ipswich and was trained by Kelly Schweida
She beat Unforgivable Woman (won next start) in a trial for her new trainer Phillip Ayoub on 28/06/09, so it's not hard to see why she started at $3.20 in yesterday's RADIO 2 DU MDN HCP over 1100m
Royal Saint (AUS) [2005]Phillip Ayoub
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Poniard (AUS)
Siblings
YOU'RE IN DANGER (AUS) [2002] - DANGEROUS (AUS)0w-1p-6s $1,000Race: 1200-1600m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-3s
PONTCHATEAU (AUS) [2003] - DIATRIBE (AUS)0w-1p-10s $1,700Race: 1100-1400m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
GOLD HELP (AUS) [2004] - DANGEROUS (AUS)4w-9p-29s $159,500Race: 1000-1400m Won: 1200-1400m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
1st DAM
PONIARD, by Lake Coniston (Ire). 1 win at 1400m. 3d BTC Moet & Chandon Maiden H., Gunsynd Garden Betting Maiden H. This is her fourth foal.
2nd DAM
PANGA (IRE), by Thatching. 2 wins at 5, 6f. inc. Leopardstown Silver Flash S.
L. 4th Curragh 2 YO S. Gr 3. Half-sister to CAROL'S TREASURE,FLAME VIOLET, BURAIDA (dam of Desert Royalty). Dam of 4 namedfoals, 3 raced, all winners inc.– SYDNEY GEORGE. 3 wins at 1200, 1300m.PONIARD. See above.
3rd DAM
REALLY SHARP, by Sharpen Up. Unraced. Half-sister to Bydar. Dam of 10 named foals, 9 raced, 6 winners inc.–
CAROL'S TREASURE (c by Balidar). 7 wins at 5, 6f. inc. York Roses S. L,Haydock Field Marshal S. L. 2d Goodwood King George S. Gr 3, SandownTrafalgar House Sprint S. L. 3d Doncaster Flying Childers S. Gr 2,Goodwood Richmond S. Gr 2, Newmarket Palace House S. Gr 3,Goodwood King George S. Gr 3. 4th Newbury Mill Reef S. Gr 2.
FLAME VIOLET (f by Fairy King). 3 wins at 5, 6f. at 2 inc. Leopardstown
Rochestown S. L, Curragh 2 YO Maiden H. Producer.PANGA (IRE). See above. PERUKE. Won Curragh Maiden H. (6f.). 2d Curragh Scurry H.BURAIDA. 1 win at 6f. in Great Britain. Dam of 3 winners inc.–
Desert Royalty (f by Alhaarth). 4 wins inc. Epsom Workwithoptions.Com
H. 2d Haydock Pinnacle S. L. 3d York Galtres S. L. CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE. Placed at 2. Dam of– GOOD CHOCOLATE. 2 wins inc. Rome Premio Divino Amore L.
4th DAM
REAL PARTY, by Realm. 1 win at 5f. at 2. Three-quarter sister to CANTEEN,SAUCY FLIRT (dam of MADAM GAY, British). Half-sister to STAINCROSS. Dam of 13 named foals, 10 raced, 4 winners inc.–
Bydar (g by Balidar). 17 wins in Italy. 3d Milan Premio Delle Scuderie L. BLUE DANISH. 12 wins 1200 to 1400m. inc. Evry Prix de Mereville.
5th DAM PICNIC PARTY, by Honeyway. 2 wins at 6f. Half-sister to ARVAK,
Masquerade. Dam of 15 named foals, 14 raced, 11 winners inc.–STAINCROSS (GB). 4 wins at 5, 6f. inc. Ascot Hyperion S. Sire.CANTEEN. 2 wins at 5f. at 2 inc. Epsom Acorn S., Newmarket Littleport S. SAUCY FLIRT. 2 wins at 6f. 4th Ascot 1000 Guineas Trial S. Gr 3. Dam of–
MADAM GAY (f by Star Appeal). Won Chantilly Prix de Diane Gr 1 .
True Persuasion Beltrois 28/07/09
BEL RINGS TWICE AT VALLEY
The Bel Esprit juggernaut rolled through Moonee Valley on Saturday (25 July) with the Champion Victorian Sire scoring a double with exciting 2YO True Persuasion and Beltrois.
The Mick Price trained True Persuasion was lining up against $1.55 hotpot Tan Tat Brav, but the Bel Esprit colt proved too strong in the run home to register a half length win.
Racing for the first time in January (finishing second), True Persuasion resumed in June with a fifth at Flemington before following up with a fast finishing third over 1200m at Sandown on 11 July.
True Persuasion was bred – and is owned – by Marion Smart, a staunch supporter of the Victorian thoroughbred industry, who sent her Brief Truce mare, True Peace, to Bel Esprit after earlier visits to Delago Brom and General Nediym.
A 3-time winner, True Peace is a granddaughter of Group winner Sister Shirley and hails from the family of Vanquished, Party Mood and Potential Star.
True Persuasion (AUS) [2006]Mick Price
Bel Esprit (AUS) - True Peace
Siblings
(AUS)TRUE GENERAL (AUS) [2003] - GENERAL NEDIYM (AUS)10w-11p-27s $64,200Race: 1000-1200m Won: 1000-1200m Wet: 1w-2p-4s
MR EISENHOWER (AUS) [2004] - GENERAL NEDIYM (AUS)4w-3p-14s $52,500Race: 1000-1300m Won: 1100-1208m Wet: 3w-2p-7s
TRUE TARGET (AUS) [2005] - DELAGO BROM (AUS)0w-0p-2s $500Race: 1000-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
The victory of Beltrois was a thriller and breeder and trainer, Robbie Griffiths could be forgiven for reaching for the bottom drawer after his 3YOs gutsy performance.
Coming from well back off the pace, Beltrois swooped over the final stages to knock out Desert Sun gelding Sol Brillante right on the line.
This was the second win on the trot for Beltrois who, 10 days previously, had the distinction of registering win # 200 for his sire Bel Esprit (somewhat fittingly, Beltrois is part owned by Brian Donohoe, who raced Bel Esprit and meticulously compiles data for the Bel Esprit Winners’ Club).
Beltrois has now won three of eight starts with a further three placings and over $130,000 in stakes.
Out of the Noalcoholic mare Vaingt Trois, Beltrois is a half brother to four winners and hails from the immediate family of Golden Slipper/Doncaster winner Tontonan.
Beltrois (AUS) [2005]Robbie Griffiths
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Vaingt Trois (AUS)
Siblings
MORTGAGEE (AUS) [1998] - RANCHO RULER (AUS)0w-0p-1s $400Race: 1200-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
APRES MOI (AUS) [1999] - RANCHO RULER (AUS)2w-9p-19s $27,400Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1400-1400m Wet: 0w-0p-2s
RUBY TROIS (AUS) [2001] - RUBITON (AUS)7w-9p-44s $131,600Race: 1170-1800m Won: 1400-1726m Wet: 0w-0p-2s
VAINGTLAGO (AUS) [2002] - ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS)4w-8p-34s $56,900Race: 1170-2400m Won: 1300-2100m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
FRENCH KING (AUS) [2003] - DESERT KING (IRE)1w-2p-8s $16,400Race: 1400-2200m Won: 1600-1600m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
The Bel Esprit juggernaut rolled through Moonee Valley on Saturday (25 July) with the Champion Victorian Sire scoring a double with exciting 2YO True Persuasion and Beltrois.
The Mick Price trained True Persuasion was lining up against $1.55 hotpot Tan Tat Brav, but the Bel Esprit colt proved too strong in the run home to register a half length win.
Racing for the first time in January (finishing second), True Persuasion resumed in June with a fifth at Flemington before following up with a fast finishing third over 1200m at Sandown on 11 July.
True Persuasion was bred – and is owned – by Marion Smart, a staunch supporter of the Victorian thoroughbred industry, who sent her Brief Truce mare, True Peace, to Bel Esprit after earlier visits to Delago Brom and General Nediym.
A 3-time winner, True Peace is a granddaughter of Group winner Sister Shirley and hails from the family of Vanquished, Party Mood and Potential Star.
True Persuasion (AUS) [2006]Mick Price
Bel Esprit (AUS) - True Peace
Siblings
(AUS)TRUE GENERAL (AUS) [2003] - GENERAL NEDIYM (AUS)10w-11p-27s $64,200Race: 1000-1200m Won: 1000-1200m Wet: 1w-2p-4s
MR EISENHOWER (AUS) [2004] - GENERAL NEDIYM (AUS)4w-3p-14s $52,500Race: 1000-1300m Won: 1100-1208m Wet: 3w-2p-7s
TRUE TARGET (AUS) [2005] - DELAGO BROM (AUS)0w-0p-2s $500Race: 1000-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
The victory of Beltrois was a thriller and breeder and trainer, Robbie Griffiths could be forgiven for reaching for the bottom drawer after his 3YOs gutsy performance.
Coming from well back off the pace, Beltrois swooped over the final stages to knock out Desert Sun gelding Sol Brillante right on the line.
This was the second win on the trot for Beltrois who, 10 days previously, had the distinction of registering win # 200 for his sire Bel Esprit (somewhat fittingly, Beltrois is part owned by Brian Donohoe, who raced Bel Esprit and meticulously compiles data for the Bel Esprit Winners’ Club).
Beltrois has now won three of eight starts with a further three placings and over $130,000 in stakes.
Out of the Noalcoholic mare Vaingt Trois, Beltrois is a half brother to four winners and hails from the immediate family of Golden Slipper/Doncaster winner Tontonan.
Beltrois (AUS) [2005]Robbie Griffiths
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Vaingt Trois (AUS)
Siblings
MORTGAGEE (AUS) [1998] - RANCHO RULER (AUS)0w-0p-1s $400Race: 1200-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
APRES MOI (AUS) [1999] - RANCHO RULER (AUS)2w-9p-19s $27,400Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1400-1400m Wet: 0w-0p-2s
RUBY TROIS (AUS) [2001] - RUBITON (AUS)7w-9p-44s $131,600Race: 1170-1800m Won: 1400-1726m Wet: 0w-0p-2s
VAINGTLAGO (AUS) [2002] - ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS)4w-8p-34s $56,900Race: 1170-2400m Won: 1300-2100m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
FRENCH KING (AUS) [2003] - DESERT KING (IRE)1w-2p-8s $16,400Race: 1400-2200m Won: 1600-1600m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
Bel Esprit's for Sale 28/07/09
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8 horses found, showing results 1-8
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$2,500LAURA'S SPIRITBel Esprit Bay Mare 2004
LAURA'S SPIRIT
Category:
Tried horse
Sire:
Bel Esprit (AUS) 1999
Dam:
Northern Pursuit (AUS) 1999
DOB:
16 September 2004
Location:
Brisbane QLD Australia
Nice looking Bay Bel Esprit Mare, approx 15.3 hh Good to handle. Ideal racing or breeding. Currently spelling.Click here for more info »
$40,000UNNAMEDBel Esprit Bay Filly 2008
BEL ESPRIT WEANLING FILLY
Category:
Weanling
Sire:
Bel Esprit (AUS) 1999
Dam:
Flint (AUS) 2003
DOB:
3 October 2008
Location:
Violet Town VIC Australia
Lovely leggy filly by Second Season GRP1 sire Bel Esprit. Bel Esprit is doing the job as he has already produced a Grp 1 winner and now the very exciting Black Caviar.Click here for more info »
$35,000UNNAMEDBel Esprit Bay Colt 2007
lovely colt
Category:
Yearling
Sire:
Bel Esprit (AUS) 1999
Dam:
Gavroche (AUS) 2002
DOB:
27 September 2007
Location:
Lovely Banks VIC Australia
broken in 100% xray sound Click here for more info »
$55,000UNNAMEDBel Esprit Brown Colt 2008
Bel Esprit Weanling Colt From A Group Winning Mare
Category:
Weanling
Sire:
Bel Esprit (AUS) 1999
Dam:
Overclock (AUS) 2001
DOB:
7 November 2008
Location:
Research VIC Australia
Bel Esprit Weanling Colt, 2nd Live Foal from Overclock(2001)[Xaar/Watch], will nominate to Easter Yearling Sale or Goldcoast Magicmillions if not sell before the auction. Beautiful Action In The... Click here for more info »
Registered with Victorian Owners and Breeders Incentive Scheme
$35,000UNNAMEDBel Esprit Bay Colt 2007
lovely colt
Category:
Ready to run 2/3 yo
Sire:
Bel Esprit (AUS) 1999
Dam:
Gavroche (AUS) 2002
DOB:
28 September 2007
Location:
Lovely Banks VIC Australia
Broken in 100% xray sound Click here for more info »
$33,000UNNAMEDBel Esprit Bay Filly 2008
Bel Esprit Filly
Category:
Weanling
Sire:
Bel Esprit (AUS) 1999
Dam:
My Lady Penelope (AUS) 2001
DOB:
6 August 2008
Location:
Catani VIC Australia
ANOTHER WIN ON THE BOARD FOR CLASSIC RUSH! THIS BEL ESPRIT FILLY IS A CRACKING TYPE. DOB 6/8/08 Nicely related being out of a full sister to Group winning mare Classy Dane, dam of Classic Rush debut... Click here for more info »
$12,000UNNAMEDBel Esprit Bay Filly 2008
Bel Esprit Filly
Category:
Weanling
Sire:
Bel Esprit (AUS) 1999
Dam:
Duendee (AUS) 1993
DOB:
10 November 2008
Location:
Broadford VIC Australia
DUENDEE IS A LISTED & GR 3 WINNER & LISTED PLACED!!!!! SHE'S ALSO A 1/2 SISTER TO A WINNER & A PLACEGETTER! HEAPS OF BLACK TYPE IN THIS DAM LINE!!!INCLUDING HIGHPAK! Click here for more info »
Selling at AuctionUNNAMEDBel Esprit Bay Filly 2007
(As Agent)
Bel Esprit Filly
Category:
Yearling
Sire:
Bel Esprit (AUS) 1999
Dam:
Tamarillo (AUS) 1998
DOB:
9 October 2007
Location:
Kerrie VIC Australia
Click here for more info »
To be auctioned at Melbourne August Thoroughbred Sale, Lot 167, 13-14 Aug 2009
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Bel Mer, No Respite 28/07/09
Bel Mer on trial for Manikato
By Mark Ryan
Melbourne
Monday 27 July 2009, 6:18pm
A bold showing from Bel Mer in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday could set her up for a start in next month's Group One Manikato Stakes.
The mare, who will be a five-year-old on the horses' birthday on Saturday, is one of trainer Mick Price's five individual winners of six Group One races this season, a tally bettered only by Gai Waterhouse with seven.
The daughter of Bel Esprit is a renowned fresh performer and won the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville first-up in March.
"She's come up fine. She's probably not one hundred per cent forward as I had her in the Group One but the Sangster was the main point of that preparation," Price said.
"I've just got her nice to run a good race, she races well fresh and she has had a trial in which she was very good.
"She's as good physically as she was last time in.
"We're running in the Bletchingly and if we get a guide that she's come up we might race her for another year.
"She's going to be a valuable broodmare but I'm pretty sure we can keep her going for another year.
"I'm very happy with her. She's as sound and as bright and sparky as she ever was and if she can nearly win this we'll freshen her up for the Manikato."
Also earmarked for the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 25 are I Am Invincible, unbeaten filly Black Caviar and last year's Bletchingly winner Commanding Hope.
Bel Mer ran eleventh to Typhoon Zed in last year's weight-for-age Manikato but jumped from the outside barrier and Price said she was speared off the track before being beaten 4-1/2 lengths.
Apart from her Sangster victory, Bel Mer's best Group One performance was a 2-1/2 length second to Weekend Hussler in the 2007 Coolmore Stakes (1200m) at Flemington as a spring three-year-old.
"She's a restricted Group One performer, she's just off the top horses," Price said.
"She never has a day when she's quiet. She's full of nervous energy."
Group One winners Let Go Thommo, Mr Baritone and Orange County are also among the 13 nominations for the Bletchingly, as are Group One placegetters Stanzout and exciting Peter Morgan-trained speedster I Am Invincible, a first-up winner of the Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 18.
No Respite For Bargain Hunter
Former jockey Craig Carmody has been searching long and hard for bargains since making the transition to the training ranks and he believes he has found one in No Respite.
The two-year-old Bel Esprit gelding was a $45,000 purchase at the Inglis Classic Sale and has been nominated for three races this week, including a maiden at Warwick Farm on Friday and the 1200 metre The Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday.
Carmody, an 11-time Group One winning jockey who started training in late 2005, said he would most likely bypass The Rosebud in favour of a 1400 metre race on the same program.
"I think they might be a bit sharp for him in the Rosebud and he'll appreciate the extra distance in the Rating 75 race, that's what I'm leaning to at this stage," Carmody said.
No Respite is yet to win from four starts but has been placed three times including a long neck second to the promising Knot Out at Randwick on July 8 over 1150 metres.
The pair was so dominant that the third placed Flaming Rock was another five lengths away.
"He got held up slightly but he had his chance and the winner was too good on the day," Carmody said.
The Randwick trainer has five horses in work and is hoping No Respite can help lure prospective owners.
"Our budget has been pretty low since I've been training and I've been searching hard for bargains," Carmody said.
"But if you search long and hard enough you can find them and I think this horse has a future, hopefully he can put my name out there."
No Respite came from last on the turn at Randwick and made up plenty of ground in the heavy going and Carmody is hoping for plenty of early speed in Saturday's 1400 metre assignment.
"He's got a pattern of being a backmarker and has a great turn of foot, so that's the way we'll continue to ride him," Carmody said.
"He hasn't matured mentally yet and hasn't quite worked out how to start his race yet.
"Until he does he'll continue to be ridden cold."
As a jockey, Carmody was best known for his association with elite gallopers Intergaze and Angst.
Intergaze, who was trained by Carmody's former master Rod Craig, won eight Group One races, seven with Carmody aboard.
The Noel Mayfield-Smith trained Angst made a clean sweep of the four-race Princess series in 1993 before she tragically died after a throat operation.
The now retired Samantha Miss became the only filly to match the feat of Angst when she won all four legs of the 2008 Princess series.
By Mark Ryan
Melbourne
Monday 27 July 2009, 6:18pm
A bold showing from Bel Mer in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday could set her up for a start in next month's Group One Manikato Stakes.
The mare, who will be a five-year-old on the horses' birthday on Saturday, is one of trainer Mick Price's five individual winners of six Group One races this season, a tally bettered only by Gai Waterhouse with seven.
The daughter of Bel Esprit is a renowned fresh performer and won the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville first-up in March.
"She's come up fine. She's probably not one hundred per cent forward as I had her in the Group One but the Sangster was the main point of that preparation," Price said.
"I've just got her nice to run a good race, she races well fresh and she has had a trial in which she was very good.
"She's as good physically as she was last time in.
"We're running in the Bletchingly and if we get a guide that she's come up we might race her for another year.
"She's going to be a valuable broodmare but I'm pretty sure we can keep her going for another year.
"I'm very happy with her. She's as sound and as bright and sparky as she ever was and if she can nearly win this we'll freshen her up for the Manikato."
Also earmarked for the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 25 are I Am Invincible, unbeaten filly Black Caviar and last year's Bletchingly winner Commanding Hope.
Bel Mer ran eleventh to Typhoon Zed in last year's weight-for-age Manikato but jumped from the outside barrier and Price said she was speared off the track before being beaten 4-1/2 lengths.
Apart from her Sangster victory, Bel Mer's best Group One performance was a 2-1/2 length second to Weekend Hussler in the 2007 Coolmore Stakes (1200m) at Flemington as a spring three-year-old.
"She's a restricted Group One performer, she's just off the top horses," Price said.
"She never has a day when she's quiet. She's full of nervous energy."
Group One winners Let Go Thommo, Mr Baritone and Orange County are also among the 13 nominations for the Bletchingly, as are Group One placegetters Stanzout and exciting Peter Morgan-trained speedster I Am Invincible, a first-up winner of the Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 18.
No Respite For Bargain Hunter
Former jockey Craig Carmody has been searching long and hard for bargains since making the transition to the training ranks and he believes he has found one in No Respite.
The two-year-old Bel Esprit gelding was a $45,000 purchase at the Inglis Classic Sale and has been nominated for three races this week, including a maiden at Warwick Farm on Friday and the 1200 metre The Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday.
Carmody, an 11-time Group One winning jockey who started training in late 2005, said he would most likely bypass The Rosebud in favour of a 1400 metre race on the same program.
"I think they might be a bit sharp for him in the Rosebud and he'll appreciate the extra distance in the Rating 75 race, that's what I'm leaning to at this stage," Carmody said.
No Respite is yet to win from four starts but has been placed three times including a long neck second to the promising Knot Out at Randwick on July 8 over 1150 metres.
The pair was so dominant that the third placed Flaming Rock was another five lengths away.
"He got held up slightly but he had his chance and the winner was too good on the day," Carmody said.
The Randwick trainer has five horses in work and is hoping No Respite can help lure prospective owners.
"Our budget has been pretty low since I've been training and I've been searching hard for bargains," Carmody said.
"But if you search long and hard enough you can find them and I think this horse has a future, hopefully he can put my name out there."
No Respite came from last on the turn at Randwick and made up plenty of ground in the heavy going and Carmody is hoping for plenty of early speed in Saturday's 1400 metre assignment.
"He's got a pattern of being a backmarker and has a great turn of foot, so that's the way we'll continue to ride him," Carmody said.
"He hasn't matured mentally yet and hasn't quite worked out how to start his race yet.
"Until he does he'll continue to be ridden cold."
As a jockey, Carmody was best known for his association with elite gallopers Intergaze and Angst.
Intergaze, who was trained by Carmody's former master Rod Craig, won eight Group One races, seven with Carmody aboard.
The Noel Mayfield-Smith trained Angst made a clean sweep of the four-race Princess series in 1993 before she tragically died after a throat operation.
The now retired Samantha Miss became the only filly to match the feat of Angst when she won all four legs of the 2008 Princess series.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Beltrois 25/07/09
Two in a row for Beltrois
Griffiths Racing News
One of the softest victories recorded at Saturday’s Moonee Valley meeting was that by the up-and-comer Beltrois.The winner of two in a row at metropolitan level – having proven too strong at his previous start at a VRC meeting at Sale midweek – the son of Bel Esprit is well regarded by the stable.“He’s a progressive horse going somewhere,” Robbie told the press – “I think there is plenty of upside to him.”Sent out favourite, Beltrois was patiently ridden by Damien Oliver and he was part of a double for that rider and for Bel Esprit.Two particularly proud part owners are Brian & Peter Donohoe who also raced Bel Esprit. They cheered home Beltrois with James Lillie, Shiranee Griffiths, Yvonne Worthington, Brendan & Rebecca Jones, Don Healy, David McBride and Sam Hendry.A special congratulations to Robbie – his skills as a trainer of metropolitan gallopers are well recognised but not only does he prepare Beltrois, but he bred him – and all breeders know how hard it is to get a city class horse!Beltrois has now had eight starts and he is building an impressive record with three wins and three placings to his credit. And he has already amassed over $110,000 in stakes – with plenty more to come!
Jockeys, trainers neck and neck for premierships
Andrew Garvey
July 26, 2009
THE premiership race for leading jockey, trainer and apprentice will all go down to the wire, after Damien Oliver drew level with Craig Williams on 70 wins at Moonee Valley yesterday.
Oliver, who won the last two races on the card, said he was looking forward to the final day of the season at Betfair Park on Wednesday.
"It's going to be a great climax to a great season for both of us. I think we both have some good rides so it will be an interesting day," Oliver said after winning the last race on Commanding Hope.
Oliver said he was mindful that Commanding Hope ($3.70 equal favourite) has a short sharp sprint so held him up for as long as possible before sweeping down the outside to beat In The Shadows by a half-neck with Oliver admitting that he could hear the crowd urging him on.
"Usually you don't pick up a lot from the crowd but I certainly heard a few yelling out, 'Go Ollie' and it was a real buzz," he said.
Robbie Griffiths, trainer of Oliver's first winner Beltrois, thinks he has a horse with a future but at this stage is not sure at what level.
"He's a progressive horse going somewhere. I think there's plenty of upside to him but he's a dry tracker," Griffiths said.
Oliver sets scene for Sandown showdown
Saturday 25 July 2009
Champion jockey Damien Oliver rode the last two winners at Saturday's Moonee Valley meeting to join rival Craig Williams at the top of the Melbourne premiership.
In winning his 69th and 70th races of the season aboard Beltrois and Commanding Hope, Oliver has set the scene for Wednesday's season finale at Sandown.
Williams came into today's meeting with a two-win buffer and most expected him to extend it to three aboard hot favourite Tan Tat Brav in the second event.
But things didn't go to plan for Williams.
Tan Tat Brav was beaten and he left the meeting without a winner.
On the other hand Oliver was back to his brilliant best when notching his late double.
He rode his first winner aboard the Robbie Griffiths-trained Beltrois in the Alternate Railway Safeworking Handicap (1200m).
Just over half an hour later Oliver was back in the winner's stall after winning the Dominant Handicap (1200m) aboard quality sprinter Commanding Hope.
Field Sectional Times
Race Time
Split Times 800m...... 600m....... 400m..... 200m.... 1:12.80
1 5 Beltrois47.58[ 8] 35.98[ 8] 24.45[ 6]12.33[ 6]01:12.8
Runner Sectional Rates
1 5 Beltrois 11.60........11.52.........12.13.......12.33........1:12.80
Griffiths Racing News
One of the softest victories recorded at Saturday’s Moonee Valley meeting was that by the up-and-comer Beltrois.The winner of two in a row at metropolitan level – having proven too strong at his previous start at a VRC meeting at Sale midweek – the son of Bel Esprit is well regarded by the stable.“He’s a progressive horse going somewhere,” Robbie told the press – “I think there is plenty of upside to him.”Sent out favourite, Beltrois was patiently ridden by Damien Oliver and he was part of a double for that rider and for Bel Esprit.Two particularly proud part owners are Brian & Peter Donohoe who also raced Bel Esprit. They cheered home Beltrois with James Lillie, Shiranee Griffiths, Yvonne Worthington, Brendan & Rebecca Jones, Don Healy, David McBride and Sam Hendry.A special congratulations to Robbie – his skills as a trainer of metropolitan gallopers are well recognised but not only does he prepare Beltrois, but he bred him – and all breeders know how hard it is to get a city class horse!Beltrois has now had eight starts and he is building an impressive record with three wins and three placings to his credit. And he has already amassed over $110,000 in stakes – with plenty more to come!
Jockeys, trainers neck and neck for premierships
Andrew Garvey
July 26, 2009
THE premiership race for leading jockey, trainer and apprentice will all go down to the wire, after Damien Oliver drew level with Craig Williams on 70 wins at Moonee Valley yesterday.
Oliver, who won the last two races on the card, said he was looking forward to the final day of the season at Betfair Park on Wednesday.
"It's going to be a great climax to a great season for both of us. I think we both have some good rides so it will be an interesting day," Oliver said after winning the last race on Commanding Hope.
Oliver said he was mindful that Commanding Hope ($3.70 equal favourite) has a short sharp sprint so held him up for as long as possible before sweeping down the outside to beat In The Shadows by a half-neck with Oliver admitting that he could hear the crowd urging him on.
"Usually you don't pick up a lot from the crowd but I certainly heard a few yelling out, 'Go Ollie' and it was a real buzz," he said.
Robbie Griffiths, trainer of Oliver's first winner Beltrois, thinks he has a horse with a future but at this stage is not sure at what level.
"He's a progressive horse going somewhere. I think there's plenty of upside to him but he's a dry tracker," Griffiths said.
Oliver sets scene for Sandown showdown
Saturday 25 July 2009
Champion jockey Damien Oliver rode the last two winners at Saturday's Moonee Valley meeting to join rival Craig Williams at the top of the Melbourne premiership.
In winning his 69th and 70th races of the season aboard Beltrois and Commanding Hope, Oliver has set the scene for Wednesday's season finale at Sandown.
Williams came into today's meeting with a two-win buffer and most expected him to extend it to three aboard hot favourite Tan Tat Brav in the second event.
But things didn't go to plan for Williams.
Tan Tat Brav was beaten and he left the meeting without a winner.
On the other hand Oliver was back to his brilliant best when notching his late double.
He rode his first winner aboard the Robbie Griffiths-trained Beltrois in the Alternate Railway Safeworking Handicap (1200m).
Just over half an hour later Oliver was back in the winner's stall after winning the Dominant Handicap (1200m) aboard quality sprinter Commanding Hope.
Field Sectional Times
Race Time
Split Times 800m...... 600m....... 400m..... 200m.... 1:12.80
1 5 Beltrois47.58[ 8] 35.98[ 8] 24.45[ 6]12.33[ 6]01:12.8
Runner Sectional Rates
1 5 Beltrois 11.60........11.52.........12.13.......12.33........1:12.80
True Persuasion 25/07/09
Bel Esprit Rounds Off Season With Double 
Posted by Michele Cullen Filed under Bel Esprit, Premium Updates, Racing and Breeding
Eliza Park Studs stallion, Bel Esprit, rounded his season with a double at Moonee Valley on Saturday (25 July) with the stallion notching up a double with exciting juvenile True Persuasion and his three-year-old, Beltrois. Bel Esprit’s double was kicked off by the Mick Price trained True Persuasion who was lining up against $1.55 hotpot Tan Tat Brav (Falbrav - Tamari by Nureyev), but the Bel Esprit colt had the better run and proved too strong to register his maiden win by a half-length.
Racing for the first time in January (finishing second), True Persuasion resumed in June with a fifth at Flemington before following up with a fast finishing third over 1200m at Sandown on 11 July.
True Persuasion was bred – and is owned – by Marion Smart, who sent her Brief Truce mare, True Peace, to Bel Esprit after earlier visits to Delago Brom and General Nediym. A three-time winner, True Peace is a grand daughter of group winner Sister Shirley and hails from the family of Vanquished, Party Mood and Potential Star.
The first two colts home are well above average as they ran 1:11-73 for the 1200m while the open sprinters could only manage 1:12-50 and the three-year-olds ran 1:12-80.
Five races later the the victory of Beltrois was a thriller giving his breeder and trainer, Robbie Griffiths, heaping praise on the youngster after the event. Coming from well back off the pace, Beltrois swooped over the final stages to knock out Desert Sun gelding Sol Brillante right on the line.
Griffiths, believes Beltrois is a progressive three-year-old and he believes he’s going somewhere and thinks that the gelding has plenty of upside, especially on dry ground. The win was the second victory on the trot for Beltrois who, 10 days previously, had the distinction of registering win number 200 for his sire Bel Esprit. Beltrois is part owned by Brian Donohoe, who raced Bel Esprit and meticulously compiles data for the Bel Esprit Winners’ Club.
Beltrois has now won three of eight starts with a further three placings and over $130,000 in stakes. Out of the Noalcoholic mare Vaingt Trois, Beltrois is a half brother to four winners and hails from the immediate family of Golden Slipper/Doncaster winner Tontonan.
Bel Esprit stands at Eliza Park Stud at a fee of $16,500 (inc gst).
Jockey persuades trainer to make a winning change
Brad WatersSaturday,
25 July 2009
Caulfield trainer Mick Price’s decision to add blinkers to two-year-old True Persuasion proved to be a masterstroke after the colt’s solid win at Moonee Valley.
True Persuasion chased Denman home at his last two starts and was most expected he’d find the $1.55 favourite Tan Tat Brav too strong in the Top Cat Electronics Handicap (1200m).
Aided by a lovely Craig Newitt ride, True Persuasion was able to collar the flying Tan Tat Brav before the home turn and grind away in the straight to win by a half-length.
Sincengarni raced just off the speed on the inside of True Persuasion and stuck on fairly in the run to the line to hold third spot, 3-1/2 lengths behind Tan Tat Brav.
Price gave credit for the key gear change to jockey Dale Smith who suggested the addition of the blinkers after riding the son of Bel Esprit at his last start at Sandown.
“He just gets to the front and stargazes a little bit,” Price said.
“I was a little bit suss when Craig (Newitt) throttled down on the corner and I think the horse lost a bit of concentration then.
“He fought back really well which was good because obviously the second horse (Tan Tat Brav) has plenty of ability.”
Price said he didn’t have “any great plans” for True Persuasion’s immediate future.
Craig Williams missed the chance to extend his two-win lead in the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership when beaten aboard Tan Tat Brav after Oliver’s mount Finessed was scratched on race morning.
The placings and margins: True Persuasion (C Newitt) 56-1/2kg ($6) defeated Tan Tat Brav (C Williams) 58kg ($1.55 fav) by a half-length with 3-1/2 lengths back to Sincengarni (D Nikolic) 54.5kg ($12) in third place.
Winner’s breeding – True Persuasion is a two-year-old colt by Bel Esprit out of True Peace (Brief Truce (USA)).
The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1200 metres in 1.11.73 with the last 600 run in 35.95 seconds.
What they said – “He always travelled super in the run, I was confident on the turn,” said Craig Newitt, winning rider of True Persuasion.
Small Explosion At Moonee Valley - Only Punters Hurt
The Tan Tat Brav bubble burst this afternoon at Moonee Valley, although only punters t
aking the $1.55 odds on were hurt.
It was obvious the hot pot was under pressure on the turn with rider Craig Williams working hard to try and get an advantage over True Persuasion, ridden by Craig Newitt.
In spite of Williams' efforts True Persuasion ($5-$6) stuck his head in front of Tan Tat Brav at the top of the straight and maintained that lead all the way to the finishing post, winning eventually by a half length.
The pair cleared out from the rest of the field, beating Sincengarni ($8-$12) into third place by 3½ lengths.
Winning trainer Mick Price said:
"I was a little bit suss when Craig throttled down on the corner and I think my horse lost a bit of concentration then but he fought back really well so it was good."
"Obviously the second horse has got plenty of ability and has a little bit to learn"
Price credited the application of blinkers with having a positive influence on True Per
suasion today after running third at Sandown at his last start.
"The blinkers were Dale Smith's advice after Sandown", he said.
"He drew 8 there and we thought he might be able to get in and he had no luck."
"He was deep and he just gets to the front and stargazes a bit.""I haven't got enormous plans for him but a combination of the blinkers and this time of year and hard and fit got the money", Price observed.
Asked if he had lofty ambitions for True Persuasion, Price quipped:
"Afraid not but I haven't told the owner yet."
True Persuasion's owner, Marion Smart was standing beside Price at the time and took
the affront to her horse's ability in good spirit.
"We don't give away information", she whispered, suggesting that Price's real opinion was somewhat higher than he was letting on.
Price does not plan to do much more with True Persuasion this preparation.
"The good horses are just about to come back as three year olds for the stakes races but if we can pinch another Saturday race with him that will be great", he said.
Smart bred True Persuasion by sending her mare True Peace to Victorian sire Bel Esprit.
He is the fourth foal from her mare to race and her third winner.
True Persuasion is a half brother to Mr Eisenhower (4 wins) and True General (10 wins).
The family traces to third dam Sister Shirley (by Kaoru Star) the Group 3 winner of the SAJC Cheltenham Stakes.
Posted by Michele Cullen Filed under Bel Esprit, Premium Updates, Racing and Breeding
Eliza Park Studs stallion, Bel Esprit, rounded his season with a double at Moonee Valley on Saturday (25 July) with the stallion notching up a double with exciting juvenile True Persuasion and his three-year-old, Beltrois. Bel Esprit’s double was kicked off by the Mick Price trained True Persuasion who was lining up against $1.55 hotpot Tan Tat Brav (Falbrav - Tamari by Nureyev), but the Bel Esprit colt had the better run and proved too strong to register his maiden win by a half-length.
Racing for the first time in January (finishing second), True Persuasion resumed in June with a fifth at Flemington before following up with a fast finishing third over 1200m at Sandown on 11 July.
True Persuasion was bred – and is owned – by Marion Smart, who sent her Brief Truce mare, True Peace, to Bel Esprit after earlier visits to Delago Brom and General Nediym. A three-time winner, True Peace is a grand daughter of group winner Sister Shirley and hails from the family of Vanquished, Party Mood and Potential Star.
The first two colts home are well above average as they ran 1:11-73 for the 1200m while the open sprinters could only manage 1:12-50 and the three-year-olds ran 1:12-80.
Five races later the the victory of Beltrois was a thriller giving his breeder and trainer, Robbie Griffiths, heaping praise on the youngster after the event. Coming from well back off the pace, Beltrois swooped over the final stages to knock out Desert Sun gelding Sol Brillante right on the line.
Griffiths, believes Beltrois is a progressive three-year-old and he believes he’s going somewhere and thinks that the gelding has plenty of upside, especially on dry ground. The win was the second victory on the trot for Beltrois who, 10 days previously, had the distinction of registering win number 200 for his sire Bel Esprit. Beltrois is part owned by Brian Donohoe, who raced Bel Esprit and meticulously compiles data for the Bel Esprit Winners’ Club.
Beltrois has now won three of eight starts with a further three placings and over $130,000 in stakes. Out of the Noalcoholic mare Vaingt Trois, Beltrois is a half brother to four winners and hails from the immediate family of Golden Slipper/Doncaster winner Tontonan.
Bel Esprit stands at Eliza Park Stud at a fee of $16,500 (inc gst).
Jockey persuades trainer to make a winning change
Brad WatersSaturday,
25 July 2009
Caulfield trainer Mick Price’s decision to add blinkers to two-year-old True Persuasion proved to be a masterstroke after the colt’s solid win at Moonee Valley.
True Persuasion chased Denman home at his last two starts and was most expected he’d find the $1.55 favourite Tan Tat Brav too strong in the Top Cat Electronics Handicap (1200m).
Aided by a lovely Craig Newitt ride, True Persuasion was able to collar the flying Tan Tat Brav before the home turn and grind away in the straight to win by a half-length.
Sincengarni raced just off the speed on the inside of True Persuasion and stuck on fairly in the run to the line to hold third spot, 3-1/2 lengths behind Tan Tat Brav.
Price gave credit for the key gear change to jockey Dale Smith who suggested the addition of the blinkers after riding the son of Bel Esprit at his last start at Sandown.
“He just gets to the front and stargazes a little bit,” Price said.
“I was a little bit suss when Craig (Newitt) throttled down on the corner and I think the horse lost a bit of concentration then.
“He fought back really well which was good because obviously the second horse (Tan Tat Brav) has plenty of ability.”
Price said he didn’t have “any great plans” for True Persuasion’s immediate future.
Craig Williams missed the chance to extend his two-win lead in the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership when beaten aboard Tan Tat Brav after Oliver’s mount Finessed was scratched on race morning.
The placings and margins: True Persuasion (C Newitt) 56-1/2kg ($6) defeated Tan Tat Brav (C Williams) 58kg ($1.55 fav) by a half-length with 3-1/2 lengths back to Sincengarni (D Nikolic) 54.5kg ($12) in third place.
Winner’s breeding – True Persuasion is a two-year-old colt by Bel Esprit out of True Peace (Brief Truce (USA)).
The time and sectionals – The field covered the 1200 metres in 1.11.73 with the last 600 run in 35.95 seconds.
What they said – “He always travelled super in the run, I was confident on the turn,” said Craig Newitt, winning rider of True Persuasion.
Small Explosion At Moonee Valley - Only Punters Hurt
The Tan Tat Brav bubble burst this afternoon at Moonee Valley, although only punters t
aking the $1.55 odds on were hurt.It was obvious the hot pot was under pressure on the turn with rider Craig Williams working hard to try and get an advantage over True Persuasion, ridden by Craig Newitt.
In spite of Williams' efforts True Persuasion ($5-$6) stuck his head in front of Tan Tat Brav at the top of the straight and maintained that lead all the way to the finishing post, winning eventually by a half length.
The pair cleared out from the rest of the field, beating Sincengarni ($8-$12) into third place by 3½ lengths.
Winning trainer Mick Price said:
"I was a little bit suss when Craig throttled down on the corner and I think my horse lost a bit of concentration then but he fought back really well so it was good."
"Obviously the second horse has got plenty of ability and has a little bit to learn"
Price credited the application of blinkers with having a positive influence on True Per
suasion today after running third at Sandown at his last start."The blinkers were Dale Smith's advice after Sandown", he said.
"He drew 8 there and we thought he might be able to get in and he had no luck."
"He was deep and he just gets to the front and stargazes a bit.""I haven't got enormous plans for him but a combination of the blinkers and this time of year and hard and fit got the money", Price observed.
Asked if he had lofty ambitions for True Persuasion, Price quipped:
"Afraid not but I haven't told the owner yet."
True Persuasion's owner, Marion Smart was standing beside Price at the time and took
the affront to her horse's ability in good spirit."We don't give away information", she whispered, suggesting that Price's real opinion was somewhat higher than he was letting on.
Price does not plan to do much more with True Persuasion this preparation.
"The good horses are just about to come back as three year olds for the stakes races but if we can pinch another Saturday race with him that will be great", he said.
Smart bred True Persuasion by sending her mare True Peace to Victorian sire Bel Esprit.
He is the fourth foal from her mare to race and her third winner.
True Persuasion is a half brother to Mr Eisenhower (4 wins) and True General (10 wins).
The family traces to third dam Sister Shirley (by Kaoru Star) the Group 3 winner of the SAJC Cheltenham Stakes.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Beltrois 15/07/09
200 Wins for Bel Esprit Progeny
And we owned half of the winner
. Today I went to Sale (Metro meeting changed becau
se of the tracks) with a horse that we had been involved with from before he was born.
se of the tracks) with a horse that we had been involved with from before he was born.Don Healy (pictured with Damian Oliver after today's race), a good friend of mine rang me in July 2004 and asked if we would like to do a foal share with a serve of Bel Esprit into a mare owned by Robbie Griffiths.
A lunch was arranged after which we excitedly said yes, we had done a foal share the previous year with David Moody. Bel Esprit was mated with Blazing Aura which we raced under the name of Spirited Halo. Robbie was very professional telling us the history of the mare, her racing career and results so far of her breeding career, he believed that it was a good mix for the stallion and mare
The foal was born on the 15/10/2005, kept at Eliza Park for six weeks, then sent to Damian Gleeson's property at Benalla till he was broken in the following year (he had a sh.JPG)
ort time at another property because of the lack of rain). 
The foal was born on the 15/10/2005, kept at Eliza Park for six weeks, then sent to Damian Gleeson's property at Benalla till he was broken in the following year (he had a sh
.JPG)
ort time at another property because of the lack of rain). 
We remember the 1st time we saw him, a long legged gangly type with a long neck that seemed out of proportion to the rest of his body. He was shy, tried to hide behind his Mother so we couldn't get a good photo, however Damian got him to chase the Mother, Vaint Trois, and we knew we had a champion if only for that day.
Click ph
otos to enlarge.
We had a few great days when we visited him dreaming on the way home of what could be. Our next serious look was when Robbie took us to see him while he was being pre-trained at Robbie's Father's property at Cranbourne just up the road from the racing stables. His sister, Kim (pictured left), brought him from the stable for us to get a photograph and the his father, John, jumped on him and took him around a small circular about six times for us to admire his action. John pointed out his finer attributes and said he had a very long overstep, would grow to be seventeen hands and he had a high opinion of him (so did we with our very limited knowledge)
otos to enlarge.We had a few great days when we visited him dreaming on the way home of what could be. Our next serious look was when Robbie took us to see him while he was being pre-trained at Robbie's Father's property at Cranbourne just up the road from the racing stables. His sister, Kim (pictured left), brought him from the stable for us to get a photograph and the his father, John, jumped on him and took him around a small circular about six times for us to admire his action. John pointed out his finer attributes and said he had a very long overstep, would grow to be seventeen hands and he had a high opinion of him (so did we with our very limited knowledge)
He also showed us a couple of other Bel Esprits in which he was expecting big things from.
He won a private trial after he missed the start by seven lengths, Robbie was excited, he rang us and before you knew we had done another foal share to one of Vaingt Trois's offsprings, Ruby Trois who won seven races in her career.This Bel Esprit gelding had his 1st start as a 3YO at Mornington last Boxing Day
, led by four lengths half way up the straight only to hit the wall and lost by a head, he was white with a lather of sweat when he returned to the winning enclosure, took time to recover and did the same when he went to Stoney Creek a couple of weeks later,a mile in front half way up the straight, this time he won if only by a short half head, in a lather of sweat, at $1.50 the win. It took him an hour to recover.Questions were asked about whether he was breathing during the race. Back to the drawing board for the trainer.
, led by four lengths half way up the straight only to hit the wall and lost by a head, he was white with a lather of sweat when he returned to the winning enclosure, took time to recover and did the same when he went to Stoney Creek a couple of weeks later,a mile in front half way up the straight, this time he won if only by a short half head, in a lather of sweat, at $1.50 the win. It took him an hour to recover.Questions were asked about whether he was breathing during the race. Back to the drawing board for the trainer.Beltrois went for a spell and Robbie and Ivan Culliver agreed that he should be raced more quietly at the rear of the field on his return to the track, only trouble was he drew barrier 10, 10, and 14 at his starts this preparation for a 4th at Bendigo, 4th and a 3rd at Sandown. Now he was relaxed, 
loved to go to the races, no lather of sweat and learning quickly what racing was all about.
loved to go to the races, no lather of sweat and learning quickly what racing was all about.Last start was at Flemington in a $70,000 3YO race, back from 1200m to 1100m, again he drew wide, raced with no cover and was in front 10m from the line only to be grabbed and beat by a short half head by Bertonic who had cover behind Beltrois into the headwind.
Today he drew a barrier in the $30,000 Danzero At Arrowfield Handicap, Super Vobis for 3YO's over 1210m, had Damian Oliver aboard, sat in behind the front runners, moved to the outside fence where the best going was, upon entering the straight and won by 3/4 of a length with only a cut of the whip to keep his mind about the job. This win put Damian Oliver back in front of Craig Williams in the race for the Jockey's Championship.
Robbie rang straight after the race to congratulate us and say that he would be e
ntered for another Super Vovis 3YO race at Moonee Valley on Saturday week (Bugger, I'm going to miss it)
ntered for another Super Vovis 3YO race at Moonee Valley on Saturday week (Bugger, I'm going to miss it)My Son, Peter, Daughter Rebecca, her husband Brendan and I (we have 50% and are square with our investment) are over the moon about the win. Thanks Robbie, everything you said was true, and we look forward to more wins. I thought the occasion was good enough to give Beltrois a kiss.
Click line below to watch race.
Special thanks to R&R, Rose and Reed who looked after the horse on the day.
This was Robbie's sixth Bel Esprit win, four winners, with more to come
Beltrois (AUS) [2005]Robbie Griffiths
Beltrois (AUS) [2005]Robbie Griffiths
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Vaingt Trois (AUS)
Siblings
MORTGAGEE (AUS) [1998] - RANCHO RULER (AUS)0w-0p-1s $400Race: 1200-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
APRES MOI (AUS) [1999] - RANCHO RULER (AUS)2w-9p-19s $27,400Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1400-1400m Wet: 0w-0p-2s
RUBY TROIS (AUS) [2001] - RUBITON (AUS)7w-9p-44s $131,600Race: 1170-1800m Won: 1400-1726m Wet: 0w-0p-2s
VAINGTLAGO (AUS) [2002] - ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS)4w-8p-34s $56,900Race: 1170-2400m Won: 1300-2100m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
FRENCH KING (AUS) [2003] - DESERT KING (IRE)1w-2p-8s $16,400Race: 1400-2200m Won: 1600-1600m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
1st Dam
VAINGT TROIS, by Noalcoholic (Fr). Winner at 1100m. Dam of 6 named foals, all raced, 5 winners
2nd Dam
FORETELL, by Comeram (Fr). Unraced. Dam of 5 named foals, all raced, 3
winners, inc:- Premier Poet. 4 wins at 1100, 1200m. Poetic Fortune. Winner at 1300m.
3rd Dam
Foreshow, by Showdown (GB). 3 wins 1400 to 2400m, AJC Vincent O'Brien H., Balgowlah S., 3d NSW Tatt's RC Tattersall's P., L. Sister to TONTONAN, PRODROMUS, Foreclosure (dam of STARCLOSURE), Timetheus, Near Show. Dam of 9 foals, 6 to race, 4 winners, inc:-
Richlen Lad. 5 wins at 1200, 1400m. Moranic's Lament - Purple Velvet (Mal.). 5 wins 1200 to 1600m in Aust and Malaysia. Class 1 winner in Malaysia. Mystic Mill. Started once. Dam of 2 winners- Miss Diaz. 5 wins 1400 to 2430m, $133,950, MRC Bronzetti H., Ilumquh H.
4th Dam
FOREGO, by Orgoglio (GB). 3 wins–1 at 2–5½f to 7f, VATC St Clair H., 2d VRC Essendon H., VATC Teppo S., 3d VRC 2YO H., 4th VATC Sandown Guineas. Half-sister to SAVOY. Dam of 11 foals, all raced, 9 winners, inc:
TONTONAN (c Showdown) Head of The 1973-74 Aust. 3YO & 1972-73 Aust. 2YO (joint) Free Hs. 12 wins–4 at 2–1100 to 1600m, $241,900, STC Golden Slipper S., AJC Sires' Produce S., Doncaster H.
PRODROMUS (c Showdown) 4 wins–3 at 2–1006 to 1408m, VRC Maribyrnong Trial S., VATC Glenferrie H., Glenhuntly H.
winners, inc:- Premier Poet. 4 wins at 1100, 1200m. Poetic Fortune. Winner at 1300m.
3rd Dam
Foreshow, by Showdown (GB). 3 wins 1400 to 2400m, AJC Vincent O'Brien H., Balgowlah S., 3d NSW Tatt's RC Tattersall's P., L. Sister to TONTONAN, PRODROMUS, Foreclosure (dam of STARCLOSURE), Timetheus, Near Show. Dam of 9 foals, 6 to race, 4 winners, inc:-
Richlen Lad. 5 wins at 1200, 1400m. Moranic's Lament - Purple Velvet (Mal.). 5 wins 1200 to 1600m in Aust and Malaysia. Class 1 winner in Malaysia. Mystic Mill. Started once. Dam of 2 winners- Miss Diaz. 5 wins 1400 to 2430m, $133,950, MRC Bronzetti H., Ilumquh H.
4th Dam
FOREGO, by Orgoglio (GB). 3 wins–1 at 2–5½f to 7f, VATC St Clair H., 2d VRC Essendon H., VATC Teppo S., 3d VRC 2YO H., 4th VATC Sandown Guineas. Half-sister to SAVOY. Dam of 11 foals, all raced, 9 winners, inc:
TONTONAN (c Showdown) Head of The 1973-74 Aust. 3YO & 1972-73 Aust. 2YO (joint) Free Hs. 12 wins–4 at 2–1100 to 1600m, $241,900, STC Golden Slipper S., AJC Sires' Produce S., Doncaster H.
PRODROMUS (c Showdown) 4 wins–3 at 2–1006 to 1408m, VRC Maribyrnong Trial S., VATC Glenferrie H., Glenhuntly H.
Griffiths hoping Oliver fires at Sale
By Robert Windmill
17:10 AEST Tue Jul 14 2009
Damien Oliver will ride two horses at Wednesday's Melbourne Racing Club meeting.
Trainer Robbie Griffiths is hoping Damien Oliver's hunger for an eighth Melbourne jockeys' title will translate into success for his stable at Sale.
Oliver will ride highly fancied Beltrois in the Danzero at Arrowfield Handicap (1210m) and stablemate Midnight Blues in the in the Cyril Beechey Handicap (1410m) at Wednesday's Melbourne Racing Club meeting.
Griffiths, who also has the Dean Holland mount Scion running in the Yangtze Handicap, said Beltrois was his best chance on the program despite drawing wide in barrier 11.
"I'm optimistic the barrier won't be too much of a negative," Griffiths said.
"He has been drawing ordinary barriers all preparation and it has cost him, but on a winter track they might get to the centre of the track anyway at Sale and get out wider to fresh lanes in the straight."
A Stony Creek winner, Beltrois hasn't finished further back than fourth in his six starts and possibly should have won his last two runs when he flew home to finish on the losing end of a three-way photo at Sandown and half head second to Bertronic at Flemington on July 4.
"He (Beltrois) probably got to them a little bit soon at Flemington but that was the way the race panned out and he got beaten a fraction by what looks like is a pretty good horse," Griffiths said.
"He came out of that run in good order and I think he could make amends this time.
Bel breaks through for first city win
A well deserved victory at metropolitan level for Beltrois at the VRC meeting at Sale on Wednesday
A well deserved victory at metropolitan level for Beltrois at the VRC meeting at Sale on Wednesday
– the lightly raced son of Bel Esprit finding plenty to take out the Danzero at Arrowfield Handicap.
Having only his seventh start, the talented bay had only just missed out at Flemington at his previous start and he has been an exceptionally honest racehorse – not once out of the first four.Also a Stony Creek winner back in January, Beltrois was ridden on the pace during his debut campaign – but not finishing off his races as well as hoped.
This time in he has been taught to settle – a tongue tie added to his gear and his riders instructed to let him find his feet early.That style of riding has really suited Beltrois, jockey Damien Oliver agreeing that it sees him get home better – “he finished too strongly for them today,” he said.
Beltrois is raced by Brian & Peter Donohoe (who raced Beltrois’ sire Bel Esprit), James Lillie (one of the stable’s biggest supporters), Shiranee Griffiths (Robbie’s wife), Yvonne Worthington, Brendan & Rebecca Jones, Don Healy, David McBride and Sam Hendry.
Bred by Robbie, Beltrois is out of the lightly raced Noalcoholic mare Vaingt Trois who was well regarded by the stable – bolting in at debut but racing only one more time.At stud Vaingt Trois has done a great job for us – Apres Moi successful at Benalla and Cranbourne, Ruby Trois a triple city winner, Vaingtlago another metropolitan winner and the lightly raced French King also saluting. Not served last year, she has youngsters coming through by Dash For Cash, Not A Single Doubt and Lago Delight.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Phoenician 14/07/09
Finally, a Protest is Won 
Today was the third time a Bel Esprit had been in a protest. Tollesprit lost the protest at Ballarat in April after being first over the line, then, Bellatheball lost the protest at Bendigo in June being first to the post.
Today, there was a different story, the jockey of The Phoenician, Ben Melham, who cut to the inside fence on the turn, decided that the outside fence was the best place to be and headed sharply in 
that direction only to find that News Just In had got there first, so Ben, after a little bump straightened The Phoenician up and went on to win by a long head.
that direction only to find that News Just In had got there first, so Ben, after a little bump straightened The Phoenician up and went on to win by a long head.Nick Hall, rider of News Just In, protested to no avail and the Bel Esp
rit gelding kept the race.
rit gelding kept the race.I remember the night at the Valley last summer when Craig Williams won the protest because his horse was terrorised for the same thing. Different stewards, different result, that's racing.
Watch this race, click line below
Kevin Sheedy is the breeder and he syndicated The Phoenician who is a full brother to Van Der Star, winner last Friday at Bairnsdale, two wins in five days, well done.
The Phoenician (AUS) [2005]Peter Gelagotis
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Georgia (AUS)
Siblings
THE TAUREAN (AUS) [2001] - SCENIC (IRE)3w-6p-49s $34,000Race: 1400-5500m Won: 2000-3127m Wet: 2w-3p-15s
KEEP IT BRIEF (AUS) [2002] - BRIEF TRUCE (USA)2w-7p-26s $28,900Race: 1000-1615m Won: 1200-1400m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
VAN DER STAR (AUS) [2004] - BEL ESPRIT (AUS)0w-1p-10s $4,500Race: 1000-1500m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-3s
PEACH TREE (AUS) [2006] - BEL ESPRIT (AUS)0w-0p-1s $200Race: 1000-1000m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Hangang Ruby 11/07/09
Hangang Goes Bang Again
Brian,
Just to let you know Hangang Ruby had his second outing at Busan today and just as before led from gate to wire to win by four lengths ahead of odds-on favourite Gamun Gongju.
He was sent off second favourite for the five furlong race and was once again ridden by Jung Si Won.
Here's the full result:Race 3: D4 1000M – 1. Hangang Ruby (Jung, SW) 3.0, 1.3; 2. Gamun Gongju (Chae, GJ) 1.1; 3. Wind Force (Kim, TK) 4.5Distances: 4 lengths/2.5 lengths – 9 ran
RegardsAlastair
email from Horse Racing in Korea
Click below to watch race
http://www.youtube.com/user/fallight?gl=GB&hl=en-GB
Brian,
Just to let you know Hangang Ruby had his second outing at Busan today and just as before led from gate to wire to win by four lengths ahead of odds-on favourite Gamun Gongju.
He was sent off second favourite for the five furlong race and was once again ridden by Jung Si Won.
Here's the full result:Race 3: D4 1000M – 1. Hangang Ruby (Jung, SW) 3.0, 1.3; 2. Gamun Gongju (Chae, GJ) 1.1; 3. Wind Force (Kim, TK) 4.5Distances: 4 lengths/2.5 lengths – 9 ran
RegardsAlastair
email from Horse Racing in Korea
Click below to watch race
http://www.youtube.com/user/fallight?gl=GB&hl=en-GB
Friday, July 10, 2009
Van Der Star 10/07/09
A Star at Bairnsdale
The owners of Van Der Star, M H & Mrs R Reardon, M P Howell, I S Petty, S I J
enkins, M J Mather, J Boulter, N Theodossi, A De Luca & K J Sheedy finally got the result they wanted when their Bel Esprit mare won the Vic's East Climate Mdn Plate at Bairnsdale over 1200m today
enkins, M J Mather, J Boulter, N Theodossi, A De Luca & K J Sheedy finally got the result they wanted when their Bel Esprit mare won the Vic's East Climate Mdn Plate at Bairnsdale over 1200m todayThis was Van Der Star's eleventh start and Peter Gelagotis is the third trainer after the mare was previously at Flemington with Danny O'Brien and Wodonga with John Ledger. She has also had eight jockeys, today's winning jockey was Ben Melham
Click line below to watch race
Van Der Star (AUS) [2004]Peter Gelagotis
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Georgia (AUS)
Kevin Sheedy is the breeder of Van Der StarSold $55000, Danny O'Brien Racing, VIC at Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale 2006 by Ultra Thoroughbreds, Melbourne
Siblings
THE TAUREAN (AUS) [2001] - SCENIC (IRE)3w-6p-49s $34,000Race: 1400-5500m Won: 2000-3127m Wet: 2w-3p-15s
THE TAUREAN (AUS) [2001] - SCENIC (IRE)3w-6p-49s $34,000Race: 1400-5500m Won: 2000-3127m Wet: 2w-3p-15s
KEEP IT BRIEF (AUS) [2002] - BRIEF TRUCE (USA)2w-7p-26s $28,900Race: 1000-1615m Won: 1200-1400m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
THE PHOENICIAN (AUS) [2005] - BEL ESPRIT (AUS)0w-1p-7s $3,900Race: 1000-1510m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-2sPEACH TREE (AUS) [2006] - BEL ESPRIT (AUS)0w-0p-1s $200Race: 1000-1000m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
Bel Esprit Owners Leaderboard (2 horse minimum)
Bel Esprit Owners Leaderboard (2 horse minimum)
Kevin Sheedy......................8
Diplomatic Strike2,Bel Shoes4, Queen Rene1, Van Der Star1
Michael Duffy......................7
Diplomatic Strike2, Beau Esprit5
Simon Hearnden-Hunter...7
Snip Esprit6, Babieca Noire1
Steve Harrington................6
Bel Shoes4, Tollesprit2
Peter & Brian Donohoe......6
Diplomatic Strike2, Spirited Halo3, Beltrois1,
Michael Duffy......................7
Diplomatic Strike2, Beau Esprit5
Simon Hearnden-Hunter...7
Snip Esprit6, Babieca Noire1
Steve Harrington................6
Bel Shoes4, Tollesprit2
Peter & Brian Donohoe......6
Diplomatic Strike2, Spirited Halo3, Beltrois1,
I have found a couple of owners who haven't been mentioned before
Simon Hearnden-Hunter who is the Breeder of Snip Esprit and Babieca Noire and Steve Harrington whose Father, Peter, and Uncle, Jack came down from Colac to play football with Essendon.
I was lucky enough to play with them, Jack (a real tough player) won the Best 1st year player in 1953, best clubman in 1954 and 1955 with the Dons and his career was cut short when he had an serious eye injury
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Brent Grayling 8/07/09
P.A. to the Stars:
Stallion handlers tell all
The role of a stallion handler is a vital but under-appreciated part of the thoroughbred
industry. SARAH PEATLING talks to breeding’s unsung heroes and finds horsemen
who are committed to their duty.
You might say you would like to
come back in the next life as a
successful stallion at stud and
why wouldn’t you? Consider this:
You’d have your own home, cleaned
and catered for at all times; you’d
have your own yard to gallop and fool
around in; you’d get to parade and
show off your finest assets to those
people who appreciate you; and, best
of all, you’d have people employed from
matchmaker.com to go out and find you
a suitable companion in the “romance
stakes”, to the point where you could
entertain up to two, three, or even four
different ladies per day (depending on
your stamina capabilities). If you were super
successful at your job and liked to travel,
you’d get to do all of this and more in two
hemispheres each year.
But with all of this activity, of course, you
would need a personal assistant. Basically,
he or she would be there to keep you
happy, amused, and well-groomed, to
work out your personality traits, your likes
and dislikes and to make sure you “get it
on” safely with the opposite sex. He or she
would also be there to keep you in line if
you get too carried away with yourself and
muck up.
That is the role of the stallion handler.
So, what does it take to effectively handle
a 700-kilogram stallion with a body full
of testosterone? The answer can be
summarised in four words: patience,
routine, wit and fairness.
Eliza Park Stud’s Stallion Manager Brent
Grayling shares some interesting thoughts
about his experience in dealing with these
magnificent entires.
“Any person that’s uptight won’t do any
good with stallions because the animal can
feel it. You’ve got to be a very relaxed sort
of person. Being genuine with them and
treating them fairly is also very important.
“For example, if they misbehave you’ve got
to discipline them hard – a sharp jab with
a chain will let them know that they’ve
mucked up. But for the rest of the time,
without being over affectionate, you’ve got
to be kind to them.”
Echoing the the boys from Swettenham,
Grayling believes a good routine is
imperative to a stallion’s mood. “They go
out to their paddock at the same time
every day. They eat at the same time. When
you muck around with their routine, that’s
when they start to get a bit cranky.”
But when it comes to a freshman stallion
covering a mare for the first time - every
horse is different, as Grayling explains.
“They don’t have the benefits of books and
television to know what to do, although
it’s pretty natural for most of them. But
some are a bit slow. It’s Important to have
plenty of people around when a stallion
is covering a mare for the first time. We’ve
had instances where we’ve literally had to
put the stallion into the mare because he
just didn’t know what to do or where to
put it.”
Then there are stallions like Shinzig, who
acted like he’d served 100 mares; he knew
Stallion handlers tell all
The role of a stallion handler is a vital but under-appreciated part of the thoroughbred
industry. SARAH PEATLING talks to breeding’s unsung heroes and finds horsemen
who are committed to their duty.
You might say you would like to
come back in the next life as a
successful stallion at stud and
why wouldn’t you? Consider this:
You’d have your own home, cleaned
and catered for at all times; you’d
have your own yard to gallop and fool
around in; you’d get to parade and
show off your finest assets to those
people who appreciate you; and, best
of all, you’d have people employed from
matchmaker.com to go out and find you
a suitable companion in the “romance
stakes”, to the point where you could
entertain up to two, three, or even four
different ladies per day (depending on
your stamina capabilities). If you were super
successful at your job and liked to travel,
you’d get to do all of this and more in two
hemispheres each year.
But with all of this activity, of course, you
would need a personal assistant. Basically,
he or she would be there to keep you
happy, amused, and well-groomed, to
work out your personality traits, your likes
and dislikes and to make sure you “get it
on” safely with the opposite sex. He or she
would also be there to keep you in line if
you get too carried away with yourself and
muck up.
That is the role of the stallion handler.
So, what does it take to effectively handle
a 700-kilogram stallion with a body full
of testosterone? The answer can be
summarised in four words: patience,
routine, wit and fairness.
Eliza Park Stud’s Stallion Manager Brent
Grayling shares some interesting thoughts
about his experience in dealing with these
magnificent entires.
“Any person that’s uptight won’t do any
good with stallions because the animal can
feel it. You’ve got to be a very relaxed sort
of person. Being genuine with them and
treating them fairly is also very important.
“For example, if they misbehave you’ve got
to discipline them hard – a sharp jab with
a chain will let them know that they’ve
mucked up. But for the rest of the time,
without being over affectionate, you’ve got
to be kind to them.”
Echoing the the boys from Swettenham,
Grayling believes a good routine is
imperative to a stallion’s mood. “They go
out to their paddock at the same time
every day. They eat at the same time. When
you muck around with their routine, that’s
when they start to get a bit cranky.”
But when it comes to a freshman stallion
covering a mare for the first time - every
horse is different, as Grayling explains.
“They don’t have the benefits of books and
television to know what to do, although
it’s pretty natural for most of them. But
some are a bit slow. It’s Important to have
plenty of people around when a stallion
is covering a mare for the first time. We’ve
had instances where we’ve literally had to
put the stallion into the mare because he
just didn’t know what to do or where to
put it.”
Then there are stallions like Shinzig, who
acted like he’d served 100 mares; he knew
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Huribel 7/07/09
A Cheap Bel at Bairnsdale
This Bel Esprit filly was a cheap buy and if the owners, Hancox Bloodstock Pty Ltd
Hurimar Syndicate (Mgr S Hancox) & C G M Syndicate, had a couple of bob on her today, they would probably be square. Speaks well when Shelly Hancox syndicates Bel Esprit progeny
Hurimar Syndicate (Mgr S Hancox) & C G M Syndicate, had a couple of bob on her today, they would probably be square. Speaks well when Shelly Hancox syndicates Bel Esprit progenyHuribel had finished 2nd at Ballarat two starts back and was entitled to start favourite at $2.50 with the Bookies in the Galaxy Print & Design Mdn Plt and was patiently ridden by Danny Adam
Click line below to watch race
Huribel (AUS) [2005]Greg Eurell
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Hurimar (AUS)
Sold $7000, Hancox Bloodstock, VIC at William Inglis and Son Ltd. 2007 Autumn Yearling by Tara Farm, Torquay
KISS 'N' FLY (AUS) [1999] - FLYING SPUR (AUS)2w-7p-22s $16,000Race: 1100-1400m Won: 1200-1400m Wet: 0w-2p-4s
KISS 'N' FLY (AUS) [1999] - FLYING SPUR (AUS)2w-7p-22s $16,000Race: 1100-1400m Won: 1200-1400m Wet: 0w-2p-4s
THE SANGSTER (AUS) [2001] - LAST TYCOON (IRE)0w-2p-11s $1,200Race: 1000-1800m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-1p-2s
YPRES SALIENT (AUS) [2002] - BRIEF TRUCE (USA)0w-6p-12s $12,100Race: 1100-1612m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-1p-4s
1st DAM
HURIMAR, by Marscay. Unraced. Half-sister to EBONY NIGHT, HURRY
UPEL. This is her fourth foal, 3 raced, 1 winner-
KISS 'N' FLY (f by Flying Spur). 2 wins at 1200, 1400m.
YPRES SALIENT (f by Brief Truce (USA)). Placed.
THE SANGSTER (g by Last Tycoon (Ire)). Placed.
2nd DAM
HURRY UP DEAR, by Century. 3 wins 1200 to 1500m. Dam of 8 named foals,
6 raced, 4 winners inc.–
EBONY NIGHT (g by Marauding (NZ)). 3 wins - 1 at 2 - 1000 to 1800m.
and $311,100. VRC Winter Championship L, VATC Rancher S. L, MRC
Floorworld H. 2d MVRC Alister Clark S. Gr 2, MRC Journal H., Weary
Dunlop Foundation H. 3d VATC Veuve Clicquot S. L, MRC Potrero H.,
Dark Purple H., Sky Channel H. 4th MVRC AAMI Vase Gr 2.
HURRY UPEL (f by Al Hareb (USA)). 5 wins 1200 to 1600m. and $105,595
inc. VATC Mercedes-Benz S. L, Impulsive H., MVRC Toy Factory H. 4th
VATC Gwyn Nursery L, MVRC Great Western S. L. Dam of–
BILLIE'S DREAM. 1 win at 1000m. Dam of–
TULLY STORM. 3 wins at 1200, 1209m. inc. MRC George A. Davis H.
SPIT RUST. 1 win at 1100m. 3d VATC Tralee H., Shankhill Lass H.
3rd DAM
BRUNISSE, by El Seetu (USA). 4 wins at 1600, 2000m. SAJC Oaks Gr 1, VRC
Whitty H., VATC Balmoral H., QTC Welter H. 2d AJC Princess H. L. 3d
BTC Clive Uhr Quality H. L, VATC 'The Local' H. 4th VRC Wakeful S. Gr
2. Sister to PUISSANCE (dam of JAKPIL). Half-sister to GONDOLIER,
Diatric. Dam of 10 named foals, 9 raced, 5 winners inc.–
RADISSE. 6 wins - 3 in succession - 1600 to 2450m. inc. SAJC Corse Plus H.
COMISSE. 5 wins at 1817 to 2500m. inc. SAJC Grant Burge Wines H.
1st DAM
HURIMAR, by Marscay. Unraced. Half-sister to EBONY NIGHT, HURRY
UPEL. This is her fourth foal, 3 raced, 1 winner-
KISS 'N' FLY (f by Flying Spur). 2 wins at 1200, 1400m.
YPRES SALIENT (f by Brief Truce (USA)). Placed.
THE SANGSTER (g by Last Tycoon (Ire)). Placed.
2nd DAM
HURRY UP DEAR, by Century. 3 wins 1200 to 1500m. Dam of 8 named foals,
6 raced, 4 winners inc.–
EBONY NIGHT (g by Marauding (NZ)). 3 wins - 1 at 2 - 1000 to 1800m.
and $311,100. VRC Winter Championship L, VATC Rancher S. L, MRC
Floorworld H. 2d MVRC Alister Clark S. Gr 2, MRC Journal H., Weary
Dunlop Foundation H. 3d VATC Veuve Clicquot S. L, MRC Potrero H.,
Dark Purple H., Sky Channel H. 4th MVRC AAMI Vase Gr 2.
HURRY UPEL (f by Al Hareb (USA)). 5 wins 1200 to 1600m. and $105,595
inc. VATC Mercedes-Benz S. L, Impulsive H., MVRC Toy Factory H. 4th
VATC Gwyn Nursery L, MVRC Great Western S. L. Dam of–
BILLIE'S DREAM. 1 win at 1000m. Dam of–
TULLY STORM. 3 wins at 1200, 1209m. inc. MRC George A. Davis H.
SPIT RUST. 1 win at 1100m. 3d VATC Tralee H., Shankhill Lass H.
3rd DAM
BRUNISSE, by El Seetu (USA). 4 wins at 1600, 2000m. SAJC Oaks Gr 1, VRC
Whitty H., VATC Balmoral H., QTC Welter H. 2d AJC Princess H. L. 3d
BTC Clive Uhr Quality H. L, VATC 'The Local' H. 4th VRC Wakeful S. Gr
2. Sister to PUISSANCE (dam of JAKPIL). Half-sister to GONDOLIER,
Diatric. Dam of 10 named foals, 9 raced, 5 winners inc.–
RADISSE. 6 wins - 3 in succession - 1600 to 2450m. inc. SAJC Corse Plus H.
COMISSE. 5 wins at 1817 to 2500m. inc. SAJC Grant Burge Wines H.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Belvain 6/07/09
A Vain Winner at Wagga
After finishing third to Targa Lady (backed off the map) on 12 June on a heavy 
track, Belvain started in a Maiden at Narrandra (heavy track) on the 22 June and won by two and a half lengths over 1000m.
track, Belvain started in a Maiden at Narrandra (heavy track) on the 22 June and won by two and a half lengths over 1000m.Today this Bel Esprit filly had her next start, again on a heavy track, again 1000m and won by one length ridden by Robyn Freeman who has been aboard in all starts this time in.
The trainer, Mark Kavanagh, had saddled up Bel Fame twice (including at trip to Adelaide) between Belvain's wins for no success, so today might make up for it.
Watching the race, you would have got the feeling that the way she pulled away from the second horse in the last 100m, there are more wins in store for this stylish filly. At the finish Belvain was doing better than any other horse in the race. You should have taken this one to Adelaide, Mark.
Belvain (AUS) [2005]Brett Cavanough
Belvain (AUS) [2005]Brett Cavanough
Bel Esprit (AUS) - Aces In Vain (AUS)
Siblings
CARRY ON VAIN (AUS) [1998] - CARRY THE CROWN (CAN)10w-15p-64s $53,400Race: 800-1200m Won: 800-1100m Wet: 0w-0p-3s
CARRY ON MATE (AUS) [1999] - CARRY THE CROWN (CAN)4w-7p-20s $48,000Race: 900-1100m Won: 900-1100m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
CARRY ON ACE (AUS) [2000] - CARRY THE CROWN (CAN)7w-23p-85s $75,500Race: 960-1900m Won: 1200-1500m Wet: 0w-5p-12s
THE TAKE (AUS) [2003] - CLANG (AUS)3w-4p-12s $90,900Race: 900-1400m Won: 1000-1250m Wet: 1w-3p-4s
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Snip Esprit 4/07/09
Spencer Knights Snips Sixth Win
Noticing that Snip Esprit was running and has a record of two wins and two secon
ds first up, I looked up Spencer Knight's Auburn Ark Stable website, www.auburnarkstable.com.au/news.php and found it was being updated, missing the comments before today's win at Belmont.
This was the Bel Esprit gelding's sixth win (seven placings) from twenty starts, most number of wins of any of his progeny.
Trainer Spencer Knight is pictured right
Stable News by Spencer Knight
1. Saturday 4th July at Belmont Park
The stable had a good day of racing today at Belmont Park. We only had the
two runners in Insurgency and Snip Esprit. Insurgency was up against midweek up and comer Zuytdorp who had won his last three on the trot and in a thrilling finish today just managed to beat Insurgency on the line. Insurgency and Zuytdorp had a keen go in the ring just before the barriers opened and eventually the winner started favourite on jumping.
Snip Esprit who was beaten in the Northam Sprint at his last start had since been freshened up for this event and in a eye catching performance today beat his opposition at his leisure. As they turned for home Snip Esprit clearly looked the winner and all jockey Jason Brown needed to do was obtain clear running. When this came Jason quickly let the horse down and he put the race beyond all doubt.
It was a good day for our stable.
Broodmare French Snip was out of Snippets who is the sire of Scandinavia (AUS) 1994, dam of the $200,00 Ibsen and the $460,000 Vasa (yet to race)
Snip Esprit (AUS) [2004]Spencer KnightBel Esprit (AUS) - French Snip (AUS)
Sold $43000, Craig Curtis, SA at Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale 2006 by Erinvale Thoroughbreds, Nagambie Vic
French Snip died in October 2005 with a 100% strike rate
Sibling
BABIECA NOIRE (AUS) [2005] - BEL ESPRIT (AUS)1w-3p-9s $62,000Race: 940-1200m
Won: 1000-1000m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
1st dam
FRENCH SNIP, by Snippets. 2 wins at 1100m, 1300m. This is her first foal.
2nd dam
FRENCH RESORT, by Bonhomie. 9 wins-2 at 2-from 1000m to 3200m, A$447,040, SAJC Adelaide Cup, Gr.1, West End Draught S., Gr.3, VRC Bagot H., L, Matron S., L, Grace Darling Hotel H., Schiavello Interiors 2YO H., 2d QTC PJ O'Shea S., Gr.2, VRC Collex Waste H., 3d VRC Rising Star S., L, Sidewalk Cafe H., VATC Access Programs H., Warrnambool RC Warrnambool Cup, VRC Magnifique H., New Year at Flemington H., MVRC Tackle Diabetes H., Sawasdee Thai Restaurant H., VATC Mistress Anne H., 4th VRC Devon Park Stud S., Gr.3. Half-sister to Perfect Prospect. Dam of 5 named foals, 4 to race, 3 winners, inc:-
Resort to Rory. 4 wins-1 at 2-from 1000m to 1800m to 2004-05, 2d MRC Kenvain H., 4th MRC Blue Diamond Preview (c&g), Gr.3.
French Snip. 2 wins. See above.
Our Last Resort. 2 wins at 2.
3rd dam
MAHOGANY ISLE, by Luskin Star. Unplaced. Dam of 7 named foals, 6 to race, 4 winners, inc:-
FRENCH RESORT (Bonhomie). 9 wins. See above.
Perfect Prospect (Gold Carat). 7 wins-2 at 2-to 1200m, 2d MVRC Alister H., VATC Avon H., Whips N Spurs Club H., 3d VATC Debutante S., Gr.3, MVRC Gillies Blue Ribbon Cakes H., Oceana H., VATC Taylors College H. Dam of-
Frappe. 16 wins from 1000m to 2100m, A$119,720, to 2005-06, MVRC City of Moonee Valley H.
Future Perfect. 9 wins to 1500m, A$142,450, to 2004-05, MVRC Join Winners Club Today H., MRC Idolou H., 2d VATC IGA Ninja H.
Night Warrior. 7 wins from 1150m to 1600m.
Noticing that Snip Esprit was running and has a record of two wins and two secon
ds first up, I looked up Spencer Knight's Auburn Ark Stable website, www.auburnarkstable.com.au/news.php and found it was being updated, missing the comments before today's win at Belmont.This was the Bel Esprit gelding's sixth win (seven placings) from twenty starts, most number of wins of any of his progeny.
Trainer Spencer Knight is pictured right
Stable News by Spencer Knight
1. Saturday 4th July at Belmont Park
The stable had a good day of racing today at Belmont Park. We only had the
two runners in Insurgency and Snip Esprit. Insurgency was up against midweek up and comer Zuytdorp who had won his last three on the trot and in a thrilling finish today just managed to beat Insurgency on the line. Insurgency and Zuytdorp had a keen go in the ring just before the barriers opened and eventually the winner started favourite on jumping.Snip Esprit who was beaten in the Northam Sprint at his last start had since been freshened up for this event and in a eye catching performance today beat his opposition at his leisure. As they turned for home Snip Esprit clearly looked the winner and all jockey Jason Brown needed to do was obtain clear running. When this came Jason quickly let the horse down and he put the race beyond all doubt.
It was a good day for our stable.
Broodmare French Snip was out of Snippets who is the sire of Scandinavia (AUS) 1994, dam of the $200,00 Ibsen and the $460,000 Vasa (yet to race)
Snip Esprit (AUS) [2004]Spencer KnightBel Esprit (AUS) - French Snip (AUS)
Sold $43000, Craig Curtis, SA at Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale 2006 by Erinvale Thoroughbreds, Nagambie Vic
French Snip died in October 2005 with a 100% strike rate
Sibling
BABIECA NOIRE (AUS) [2005] - BEL ESPRIT (AUS)1w-3p-9s $62,000Race: 940-1200m
Won: 1000-1000m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
1st dam
FRENCH SNIP, by Snippets. 2 wins at 1100m, 1300m. This is her first foal.
2nd dam
FRENCH RESORT, by Bonhomie. 9 wins-2 at 2-from 1000m to 3200m, A$447,040, SAJC Adelaide Cup, Gr.1, West End Draught S., Gr.3, VRC Bagot H., L, Matron S., L, Grace Darling Hotel H., Schiavello Interiors 2YO H., 2d QTC PJ O'Shea S., Gr.2, VRC Collex Waste H., 3d VRC Rising Star S., L, Sidewalk Cafe H., VATC Access Programs H., Warrnambool RC Warrnambool Cup, VRC Magnifique H., New Year at Flemington H., MVRC Tackle Diabetes H., Sawasdee Thai Restaurant H., VATC Mistress Anne H., 4th VRC Devon Park Stud S., Gr.3. Half-sister to Perfect Prospect. Dam of 5 named foals, 4 to race, 3 winners, inc:-
Resort to Rory. 4 wins-1 at 2-from 1000m to 1800m to 2004-05, 2d MRC Kenvain H., 4th MRC Blue Diamond Preview (c&g), Gr.3.
French Snip. 2 wins. See above.
Our Last Resort. 2 wins at 2.
3rd dam
MAHOGANY ISLE, by Luskin Star. Unplaced. Dam of 7 named foals, 6 to race, 4 winners, inc:-
FRENCH RESORT (Bonhomie). 9 wins. See above.
Perfect Prospect (Gold Carat). 7 wins-2 at 2-to 1200m, 2d MVRC Alister H., VATC Avon H., Whips N Spurs Club H., 3d VATC Debutante S., Gr.3, MVRC Gillies Blue Ribbon Cakes H., Oceana H., VATC Taylors College H. Dam of-
Frappe. 16 wins from 1000m to 2100m, A$119,720, to 2005-06, MVRC City of Moonee Valley H.
Future Perfect. 9 wins to 1500m, A$142,450, to 2004-05, MVRC Join Winners Club Today H., MRC Idolou H., 2d VATC IGA Ninja H.
Night Warrior. 7 wins from 1150m to 1600m.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Beau Desert 3/07/09
A Beau Bel. 
As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, he is now chasing the 200th win before the end of the 2008-09 season and today Beau Desert brought up the 193rd.
June was a very good months for Bel Esprit's progeny. Fourteen wins and last week Bel had his 100th winner in the short time the progeny have been racing.
As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, he is now chasing the 200th win before the end of the 2008-09 season and today Beau Desert brought up the 193rd.Another Bel, Bellatheball started favourite in the race, but didn't handle the heavy track while having his sixth start, Beau Desert went to the front as he usually does and upon entering the straight , he put a 
gap on the rest of the field and held it till the post.
gap on the rest of the field and held it till the post.He is trained by Shane Nichols, ridden by Andrew Mallyon, making a double for Shane as he also won the fifth race with Rouge Rose. The owners being S P Nichols, Ms P J Charlton, E Richardson, Ms D M Richardson, Ms L Richardson, R Portaro, B J Bourke & Mrs P L Bourke. Well done to all involved
Click line below to watch race.
Beau Desert (AUS) [2005]Shane NicholsBel Esprit (AUS) - Desert Strike (NZ)
Psd $75,000 Res $80,000, at Magic Millions Gold Coast Conrad Jupiters 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale Session 1-4 by Eliza Park, Kerrie Vic
Siblings
KYZYL (NZ) [1995] - KREISLER (IRE)0w-0p-3sRace: 1200-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
KYZYL (NZ) [1995] - KREISLER (IRE)0w-0p-3sRace: 1200-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
REAL TIME (NZ) [1996] - DESERT SUN (GB)7w-13p-40s $214,500Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1000-1450m Wet: 0w-1p-3sG2 0w-0p-1s, G3 0w-2p-3s, LR 1w-2p-10sTWIN DESERTS (NZ) [1997] - DESERT SUN (GB)1w-7p-35s $7,100Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1200-1200m Wet: 0w-1p-9sLR 0w-0p-1s
DESERT FAME (NZ) [1999] - CLASSIC FAME (USA)0w-0p-2s $200Race: 800-1200m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-0s
ARONDAN (AUS) [2000] - ANZIYAN (USA)5w-3p-24s $70,600Race: 1000-1600m Won: 1050-1450m Wet: 1w-0p-2sLR 0w-0p-3s
REAL DEAL (AUS) [2004] - DESERT SUN (GB)0w-3p-6s $1,900Race: 1000-1206m Won: 0-0m Wet: 0w-0p-1s
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Brian Donohoe 1/07/09
BREEDER PROFILE - BRIAN DONOHOE
Brian Donohoe is one of the more interesting people you’ll find treading the turf. Th
e founder of Donohoe Ice, Brian has also had a close association with Essendon Football Club and our very own racetrack star, Bel Esprit. Read on …
Brian Donohoe doesn’t fancy talking about himself very much … and is definitely not the type to blow his own trumpet.
Preferring to operate behind the scenes, even Google struggles to fill in the blanks.
Yet, for nigh on five decades, Brian has mixed it with captains of industry and icons of sport.
Brian is a highly successful businessman with a penchant for innovation … has been integrally involved – both as player and administrator – with one of Australian Football’s most successful clubs … and a passionate part owner of a true ‘rags to riches’ star of the turf and breeding barn.
He works hard – loves his footy – loves racing. In a nutshell, Brian Donohoe is the quintessential Australian story.
Growing up in Moonee Ponds (long before Dame Edna Everage brought international fame to the Melbourne suburb), Brian was a fair hand at footy, playing 35 first grade games with Essendon between 1956-60.
Although tied up with the neighbouring Aberfeldie football club for a spell, and spending some time coaching in Tasmania, Brian’s love affair with Essendon continues unabated.
But he also needed to earn a crust and, by the late 60s, early 70s, Brian was toiling away at his mum’s milk bar in Moonee Ponds.
With families becoming more mobile during this time (yes, children, there was a time when households didn’t have three cars), Brian cottoned onto the idea of selling ice to road warriors on their way to the beach or a barbie.
Purchasing an ice maker for the shop, that machine churned out 30 bags a day and Brian began catering to some hotels in the district.
Soon enough, demand began outstripping supply and Brian was determined to step up to the plate.
Thus Donohoe Ice was formed and a business legend born.
From those humble milk bar beginnings, Donohoe Ice can now produce up to 150 tons of ice per day.
Sure, you might not recognise the name, but it’s odds on you’ve sampled their product at some stage.
For starters, the company now supplies Qantas, Virgin and Jet Star and, in fact, every plane departing Melbourne carries Donohoe’s frozen water.
And what about all those times you’ve ducked into a Mobil, BP, Caltex or United servo to keep the slab and chardy cool … Donohoe Ice.
While it should come as no surprise that its clientele is diverse, the ‘honour roll’ is remarkable and testimony to Donohoe Ice’s reputation: with over 500 independent customers retailing in supermarkets, liquor outlets, restaurants, bars and hotels, catering groups ensure that the coldies remain cold Formula 1, Australian Open Tennis, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Telstra Dome, Royal Melbourne Show and, in particular, the spring carnival.
If it’s all sounding a little Melbourne-centric, Donohoe Ice also carted semi trailer loads of ice to Sydney each day for the 2000 Olympics.
With Christmas around the corner, ‘Mexicans’ can rest assured that their seafood has been kept fresh as Donohoe Ice is the sole supplier for the Melbourne Fish Market too.
It’s a matter of great pride for Brian – who has sons Peter and Rohan on board – that Donohoe Ice continues to kick goals from all over the park, purchasing and consolidating Polar Ice, Pure Ice and City Ice in recent years.
Advances in technology have been substantial as well. Given that yours truly can’t make it from the tap to the fridge without spilling half the ice tray, it’s difficult to explain the intricacies but the refrigeration is monitored 24/7, with backup machinery, while its packaging unit cuts and seals the plastic without any human contact.
So, in effect, you can be guaranteed there is no contamination right up until the time you throw the ice on the ground and start stomping on it with your dirty size 10s.
Donohoe Ice also has a cold storage division at its Tullamarine base, where 3000 pallets of frozen food is stored by Cadbury Schweppes, Top Cut, Gold Field Turkeys, Harry and Larry Ice Cream, Victoria Cold Store and Decicco Cream to name a few.
Cold storage is nothing new … those industrious Persians started the caper in approximately 400BC, but Donohoe Ice has turned it into an art form.
So much so that one of its divisions includes Ice Carving, supplying all the major hotels in Melbourne with those fancy ice sculptures.
Evidently they’re all the rage at parties, weddings, corporate functions, anniversaries, Christmas dos and the like, but you’ll be a long time dead before one raises its icy head at Gazza’s backyard barbie.
Maintaining close ties with Essendon FC despite the pressures of growing his business, Brian was made chairman of selectors in 1980, a position he held for seven seasons.
It coincided with an era of amazing success for the Bombers, who took out the AFL flag in 1984-85.
Under the coaching of Brian’s great mate, Kevin Sheedy, the roster included greats such as Simon Madden, Paul Salmon, Tim Watson, Terry Daniher, Mark Harvey, Mark Thompson, Paul Vander Haar and company.
Brian was also appointed chairman of recruiting in 88-96, a period which saw the likes of James Hird, Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas, Michael Long and Darren Bewick introduced to the club.
Fittingly, Brian took up the reins in establishing the Essendon Hall of Fame in 1994, taking a three month sabbatical to put that baby to bed.
By the late 90s, Brian could kick back a bit and enjoy the spoils of his toil, deciding to take a share in a horse with his old mate, Michael Duffy.
A member of Essendon’s inner circle, Michael was a minister in the Hawke Government and is now chairman of Racing Victoria Limited.
“A group of us – Michael included – get together every three or four months and have lunch … been doing it since 1980,” Brian reveals. “Anyway, Michael asked if I wanted to go into this horse with him …”
The horse was called Pretrial and while he was no world beater, he did win four in the Riverina and Brian was sold.
Yet, if Pretrial baited the hook, Brian’s next neddy would seal his fate.
Following the 2001 Sydney Classic Yearling Sale, Michael phoned Brian and asked him if he’d fancy taking a share or two in a Royal Academy colt that John Symons had picked up for a mere $9,000.
With Kevin Sheedy on board as well, Brian and son Peter took two sevenths of the partnership and the rest, as they say, is history.
The colt – named Bel Esprit – would go on to win his first five races, including the Blue Diamond Stakes-G1.
A bold front runner who captured the hearts and minds of Australia’s race going public, Bel Esprit was ridden by Wayne ‘Smokey’ Treloar, whose head bobbing and vigorous riding accentuated the horse’s catch me if you can tactics.
A real barrier rogue, at least in the early days, Brian’s blood pressure must have gone through the roof as attendants struggled to get the colt into the starting blocks.
But once those gates flew open, he was poetry in motion.
Asked when he first knew Bel Esprit was something special, Brian said: “Breakfast with the stars on the Tuesday prior to the Blue Diamond. Do you know, they even changed the time of the race to accommodate Kevin (Sheedy) who was coaching that day.”
Although tasting defeat for the first time in the Golden Slipper, Bel Esprit would go on to win the Doomben 10,000-G1 and run seconds in four other Group Ones, eventually retiring to Eliza Park Stud in the spring of 2003.
Just as Bel Esprit could find the line, so too it would seem, do his progeny and with only two crops of racing age, the son of Royal Academy is reigning Champion Victorian Sire.
And while it’s safe to assume that Bel Esprit has a rapidly growing fan base (covering an Australian record 266 mares last year), there is no-one that worships at the altar more than Brian Donohoe.
Recently commencing a Bel Esprit ‘blog’, Brian has maintained records of EVERY Bel Esprit runner and every one of their starts (some 700 by mid-December).
And he has kept just about every scrap of information written about his pride and joy.
It’s a drive synonymous with everything Brian has tackled in life – his business, football administration, playing, coaching, ‘recreation’ and racehorse ownership.
One thing the internet did throw up about Brian was quotes from the Australian Story: a piece they did on Kevin Sheedy in the wake of his sacking as Essendon coach last year.
Lauding his long-time mate, Brian told the ABC: “He had a passion about what he wanted to do in his life” and “Kevin’s the sort of bloke you’d go to war with”.
I’m tipping that if you asked a few people who have benefited from his passion, they’d say the same thing about Brian Donohoe.
Brian Donohoe is one of the more interesting people you’ll find treading the turf. Th
e founder of Donohoe Ice, Brian has also had a close association with Essendon Football Club and our very own racetrack star, Bel Esprit. Read on …Brian Donohoe doesn’t fancy talking about himself very much … and is definitely not the type to blow his own trumpet.
Preferring to operate behind the scenes, even Google struggles to fill in the blanks.
Yet, for nigh on five decades, Brian has mixed it with captains of industry and icons of sport.
Brian is a highly successful businessman with a penchant for innovation … has been integrally involved – both as player and administrator – with one of Australian Football’s most successful clubs … and a passionate part owner of a true ‘rags to riches’ star of the turf and breeding barn.
He works hard – loves his footy – loves racing. In a nutshell, Brian Donohoe is the quintessential Australian story.
Growing up in Moonee Ponds (long before Dame Edna Everage brought international fame to the Melbourne suburb), Brian was a fair hand at footy, playing 35 first grade games with Essendon between 1956-60.
Although tied up with the neighbouring Aberfeldie football club for a spell, and spending some time coaching in Tasmania, Brian’s love affair with Essendon continues unabated.
But he also needed to earn a crust and, by the late 60s, early 70s, Brian was toiling away at his mum’s milk bar in Moonee Ponds.
With families becoming more mobile during this time (yes, children, there was a time when households didn’t have three cars), Brian cottoned onto the idea of selling ice to road warriors on their way to the beach or a barbie.
Purchasing an ice maker for the shop, that machine churned out 30 bags a day and Brian began catering to some hotels in the district.
Soon enough, demand began outstripping supply and Brian was determined to step up to the plate.
Thus Donohoe Ice was formed and a business legend born.
From those humble milk bar beginnings, Donohoe Ice can now produce up to 150 tons of ice per day.
Sure, you might not recognise the name, but it’s odds on you’ve sampled their product at some stage.
For starters, the company now supplies Qantas, Virgin and Jet Star and, in fact, every plane departing Melbourne carries Donohoe’s frozen water.
And what about all those times you’ve ducked into a Mobil, BP, Caltex or United servo to keep the slab and chardy cool … Donohoe Ice.
While it should come as no surprise that its clientele is diverse, the ‘honour roll’ is remarkable and testimony to Donohoe Ice’s reputation: with over 500 independent customers retailing in supermarkets, liquor outlets, restaurants, bars and hotels, catering groups ensure that the coldies remain cold Formula 1, Australian Open Tennis, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Telstra Dome, Royal Melbourne Show and, in particular, the spring carnival.
If it’s all sounding a little Melbourne-centric, Donohoe Ice also carted semi trailer loads of ice to Sydney each day for the 2000 Olympics.
With Christmas around the corner, ‘Mexicans’ can rest assured that their seafood has been kept fresh as Donohoe Ice is the sole supplier for the Melbourne Fish Market too.
It’s a matter of great pride for Brian – who has sons Peter and Rohan on board – that Donohoe Ice continues to kick goals from all over the park, purchasing and consolidating Polar Ice, Pure Ice and City Ice in recent years.
Advances in technology have been substantial as well. Given that yours truly can’t make it from the tap to the fridge without spilling half the ice tray, it’s difficult to explain the intricacies but the refrigeration is monitored 24/7, with backup machinery, while its packaging unit cuts and seals the plastic without any human contact.
So, in effect, you can be guaranteed there is no contamination right up until the time you throw the ice on the ground and start stomping on it with your dirty size 10s.
Donohoe Ice also has a cold storage division at its Tullamarine base, where 3000 pallets of frozen food is stored by Cadbury Schweppes, Top Cut, Gold Field Turkeys, Harry and Larry Ice Cream, Victoria Cold Store and Decicco Cream to name a few.
Cold storage is nothing new … those industrious Persians started the caper in approximately 400BC, but Donohoe Ice has turned it into an art form.
So much so that one of its divisions includes Ice Carving, supplying all the major hotels in Melbourne with those fancy ice sculptures.
Evidently they’re all the rage at parties, weddings, corporate functions, anniversaries, Christmas dos and the like, but you’ll be a long time dead before one raises its icy head at Gazza’s backyard barbie.
Maintaining close ties with Essendon FC despite the pressures of growing his business, Brian was made chairman of selectors in 1980, a position he held for seven seasons.
It coincided with an era of amazing success for the Bombers, who took out the AFL flag in 1984-85.
Under the coaching of Brian’s great mate, Kevin Sheedy, the roster included greats such as Simon Madden, Paul Salmon, Tim Watson, Terry Daniher, Mark Harvey, Mark Thompson, Paul Vander Haar and company.
Brian was also appointed chairman of recruiting in 88-96, a period which saw the likes of James Hird, Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas, Michael Long and Darren Bewick introduced to the club.
Fittingly, Brian took up the reins in establishing the Essendon Hall of Fame in 1994, taking a three month sabbatical to put that baby to bed.
By the late 90s, Brian could kick back a bit and enjoy the spoils of his toil, deciding to take a share in a horse with his old mate, Michael Duffy.
A member of Essendon’s inner circle, Michael was a minister in the Hawke Government and is now chairman of Racing Victoria Limited.
“A group of us – Michael included – get together every three or four months and have lunch … been doing it since 1980,” Brian reveals. “Anyway, Michael asked if I wanted to go into this horse with him …”
The horse was called Pretrial and while he was no world beater, he did win four in the Riverina and Brian was sold.
Yet, if Pretrial baited the hook, Brian’s next neddy would seal his fate.
Following the 2001 Sydney Classic Yearling Sale, Michael phoned Brian and asked him if he’d fancy taking a share or two in a Royal Academy colt that John Symons had picked up for a mere $9,000.
With Kevin Sheedy on board as well, Brian and son Peter took two sevenths of the partnership and the rest, as they say, is history.
The colt – named Bel Esprit – would go on to win his first five races, including the Blue Diamond Stakes-G1.
A bold front runner who captured the hearts and minds of Australia’s race going public, Bel Esprit was ridden by Wayne ‘Smokey’ Treloar, whose head bobbing and vigorous riding accentuated the horse’s catch me if you can tactics.
A real barrier rogue, at least in the early days, Brian’s blood pressure must have gone through the roof as attendants struggled to get the colt into the starting blocks.
But once those gates flew open, he was poetry in motion.
Asked when he first knew Bel Esprit was something special, Brian said: “Breakfast with the stars on the Tuesday prior to the Blue Diamond. Do you know, they even changed the time of the race to accommodate Kevin (Sheedy) who was coaching that day.”
Although tasting defeat for the first time in the Golden Slipper, Bel Esprit would go on to win the Doomben 10,000-G1 and run seconds in four other Group Ones, eventually retiring to Eliza Park Stud in the spring of 2003.
Just as Bel Esprit could find the line, so too it would seem, do his progeny and with only two crops of racing age, the son of Royal Academy is reigning Champion Victorian Sire.
And while it’s safe to assume that Bel Esprit has a rapidly growing fan base (covering an Australian record 266 mares last year), there is no-one that worships at the altar more than Brian Donohoe.
Recently commencing a Bel Esprit ‘blog’, Brian has maintained records of EVERY Bel Esprit runner and every one of their starts (some 700 by mid-December).
And he has kept just about every scrap of information written about his pride and joy.
It’s a drive synonymous with everything Brian has tackled in life – his business, football administration, playing, coaching, ‘recreation’ and racehorse ownership.
One thing the internet did throw up about Brian was quotes from the Australian Story: a piece they did on Kevin Sheedy in the wake of his sacking as Essendon coach last year.
Lauding his long-time mate, Brian told the ABC: “He had a passion about what he wanted to do in his life” and “Kevin’s the sort of bloke you’d go to war with”.
I’m tipping that if you asked a few people who have benefited from his passion, they’d say the same thing about Brian Donohoe.
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