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.