Fastest Progeny 6/03/09

Fastest Progeny of Bel Esprit.
Alesprit's race record prompts the question of which are the fastest racehorses from Bel Esprit's three crops.

Fastest Times
900m
GABBIDON----- 900 2yo M BR... 18-Oct-06.... 51.9
BEL SAID-------900 2yo MWBK.. 8-Jan-08.... 53.8
BEL SAID-------900 2yo MWBK 13-Apr-08.... 53.8
1000m
ALESPRIT----------1000 2yo ROCK..3-Mar-09......56.76
BELLS ALL ROUND 1000 3yo SW H.. 30-Sep-07.... 55.8
MILAKAI---------- -1000 4yo SW H.. 28-Sep-08.... 56.3
1100m
BEL ESPRIT---------1100 3yo CAUL...31-Aug-02....62
.......................................Caulfield record 61.84
ESPRIT LAD---------1100 4yo NMNE 17-Aug-08....63.9
LA BELLA ROO------1100 3yo BDGO..27-Nov-08....63.9
1200m
BEL MER------------1200 3yo CAUL..1-Mar-08....68.5
VIVACIOUS SPIRIT1200 3yo CAUL..9-Feb-08....69
ESPRIT LAD---------1200 4yo LTH....9-Aug-08....69.2
1300m
I'M ELITE-----------1300 3yo PINJ...1-Mar-09.....76.8
VIGNERON---------.1300 4yo CANB..19-Sep-08....77.4
PRINCESS SPARKLE1300 3yo GEES...25-Jul-08....77.7
1400m
BELCENTRA--------1400 3yo FLEM...6-Nov-07....83.1
BEAU ESPRIT------.1400 4yo WOD....23-Jan-09....83.8
GABBIDON---------.1400 3yo CAUL...22-Sep-07....83.9
SNIP ESPRIT-------.1400 3yo BLMT..3-May-08....83.9
1600m
KHAIRESPRIT------1600 4yo ARAT.....3-Feb-09....96.7
ESPRIT DE ROSES--1600 4yo MORP..29-Nov-08....96.8
KHAIRESPRIT------1600 4yo TER......20-Jan-09....96.9

Mooring 4/03/09

Bel Mer's Brother Bolts in Singapore

Headstrong Mooring gets the job done
Craig Brennan

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Described by trainer Michael Freedman as a “head case”, Mooring broke through for his initial victory in the $35,000 Maiden Stakes over 1000m on Wednesday night.

And in the process the three-year-old son of Bel Esprit went within 0.4 seconds of the 1000m course record on the Polytrack surface held by My Hero.
Ridden by Robbie Fradd, Mooring was getting tired over the final 100m but held on to defeat Magic Key (John Sundradas) by a length with Tough Question (Erasmus Aslam) four-and-a-half lengths back in third place.

Mooring (Robbie Fradd) redeems himself on Wednesday after running last at debut.

Mooring was the last to load into his inside draw, but began smartly before Fradd allowed Big Momoko to cross and lead and then easing to the outside of that filly.

Fradd held a firm rein on Mooring to the hometurn before quickly taking the lead and opening up a five length lead.

Despite getting tired he held sway to the line, running the smart time of 59.6 seconds.

“I suppose he was entitled to get weary,” said Freedman. “He’s run good time but he gets himself well and truly worked up.

“I’m hoping with a bit of racing and maturity he may learn to race a bit softer. If he could just look after himself mid-race I’m sure he could win a good race.”

For that reason Freedman has no specific plans with Mooring.

“There is no use making any plans with him at this stage,” said Freedman. “We’ll just keep racing him for the time being and hopefully he’ll settle down.

“Once he learns what its all about then we can think about loftier plans.”

Fradd echoed Freedman’s thoughts about Mooring and also believes there could be a good win in the gelding.

“He’s like riding five horses,” said Fradd. “He just goes that strong.

“He gets himself so worked up before the race. I’m sure that the more racing he gets and learns about it, the better he will become.”
Mooring was an A$130,000 yearling purchase in Australia. He’s from the At Talaq mare Drop Anchor and took his prizemoney past the $20,000 mark for the Mummify Stable with Wednesday night’s victory.

Alesprit 3/03/09

Alesprit Breaks Course Record at Rockhampton

When Alesprit had her 1st start, she ran 4th and the Stewards reported she was slow to begin, the Vet report said she was lame in the off fore

Today was a different story, Alesprit, trained by Tom Bourke and ridden by Michael Cullen jumped from barrier 1 and broke Sequalo Morn's course record of 56.47 seconds set in 2007 by .48 of a second (3 lengths), running the 1000 metres in an amazing 55.99 seconds. The other 1000 metre races were run in 58.31 and 58.12.

This Bel Esprit filly won by eleven and one quarter lengths carrying 54.5kg and started favourite at $2.60

Owned by Mr S W & Mrs D F Everingham, Alesprit is out of a Rory's Jester mare, Rory's Babe who had five starts for one win at Sandown winning $27,300. The Filly was sold at the 2007 MM National Weanling Sale Select Session, Qld (236) by Oaklands Stud to MAGIC MILLIONS (AS AGENT) for $2,000 .Belle Society is another filly out of a Rory's Jester mare, Tendency, who has won.

Alesprit shatters sprint record
Tony Mcmahon 3rd March 2009

A COURSE record was shattered while behind the scenes integrity and technical science officers swooped and swabbed as many as 50 horses in a day of sensations at Rockhampton's Callaghan Park racecourse yesterday.
Awesome juvenile filly Alesprit (Michael Cullen, $2.60) took just 55.99 seconds to thrash her rivals in the opening race of the eight-race TAB card, the $20,000 QTIS 2YO Handicap (1000m).
She smashed the track record of 56.31 seconds held by open-class sprinter King Hunter.
What's more, juvenile Bel Esprit filly Alesprit could probably have gone faster in her freakish 11.25 lengths win as she wasn't pushed right out to the finish.
“It was only a matter of her jumping on terms with the field to win. If she jumped she just wins,” trainer Tom Bourke said of Baralaba owner Sid Everingham's filly.
Pin-hooked at the 2007 Magic Millions Weanling Sale for a meagre $2000, Alesprit was bought by Everingham for $32,000 when offered as a yearling by Kerrod and Glenda Smyth's Laurel Glen Equine Nursery at last year's Capricorn Yearling Sale.
Bourke said it was now likely that Alesprit would not race again before the $119,000 Capricorn Sales Classic (1200m) at Callaghan Park on Saturday, April 4.
“We will see how she pulls up. She had a few little leg issues last campaign but she is over them now,” he said.
At Alesprit's only other start before a stable change, she finished fourth at Callaghan Park on November 4, 2008, after being slow to begin and subsequently pulling up lame in the off foreleg.
The 1200 metres of the Classic shouldn't prove an obstacle for Alesprit, as her mother, the five-times-raced Rory's Jester mare Rory's Babe won over that distance at her only win, ironically almost seven years ago to the day in March, 2002, at Sandown, Melbourne.
Arguably the busiest spot at Callaghan Park was the swabbing stall as Brisbane based officials pre-race swabbed and post race swabbed 50 starters.
On arriving at their designated race-day stall, the officials swooped directing trainers to present selected horses for blood samples and in some case urine swabs.
“Some horses were pre-race swabbed while others were held on course for up to three hours to be post race swabbed,” Queensland Racing Limited's integrity investigative officer Bevan Turner said.
The “swabbing swoopers”, although unannounced, came as no surprise after rumours have been circulating in Rockhampton about horses being stomach tubed with substances, some within hours of race time.
To ascertain any legitimacy to these rumours, it is likely that officials will revert to a former practice, successful as a deterrent to unscrupulous trainers, whereby random visits are made to stables on race morning.

GOOD ALE SMASHES ROCKY RIVALS
We didn’t see the run, so not too sure if the filly had the use of an outboard motor, but Alesprit’s performance at Rockhampton yesterday (3 March) was monumental to say the least.
Having her second start on the central Queensland circuit, the Bel Esprit 2YO decimated rivals with an 11 and a quarter length victory over the 1000m, breaking 56 seconds in the process.
Trainer Tom Bourke obviously has a top notcher taking up box space and it shouldn’t be long before Alesprit makes a trip to the big smoke.
Sold for $35,000 at last year’s Capricorn Yearling Sale, Alesprit ran fourth on debut on Melbourne Cup day before being tipped out for almost four months.
The break has obviously done her the world of good with a 5.5 length trial victory preceding yesterday’s romp.
A daughter of the Rory’s Jester mare, Rory’s Babe, a city winner at two, the pedigree’s a little light on black type up close, but not on form. Indeed, although this is Rory’s Babe’s first winner from one to race, the previous four dams have produced 35 winners from 39 to race.
The Bel Esprit, Rory’s Jester cross is starting to take shape too with two winners from three runners, including debut winner Belle Society.

I'm Elite 1/03/09

I'm Elite and Very Fast
A very good trial followed by two seconds over 1000 metres and 1200 metres in his 1st preparation when he was immature, was the grounding for this big horse, I'm Elite. He was rested for sixty five days before he trialled and won over 1000 metres.
This was the build up to Sunday's start over 1400metres with prize money of $40,000 with a good class of 3 year olds. From barrier 9, he went forward and led all the way to win by one and three quarter lengths easing up, a very emphatic performance from this Bel Esprit Gelding.
I'm Elite is out of a Marauding Mare and the only other starters by Mares out of this Stallion are Dashing Spirit and Mythical Spirit, both winners. He sold for $30,000 at the Perth Magic Millions Sale in February 2007.
Another Colt out of a Marauding Mare was sold for the same price to John Moloney at the Inglis sales at Oatlands in Victoria, yesterday.

Sales 1-4/03/2009

Bel Esprits in Sales 1-4th March 2009
Lot Col Sex--- Sire----Dam-----DOB--------Vendor
33 B.Colt- Bel Esprit Roskeel 31/10/07 Eliza Park, Kerrie
56 B.Filly Bel Esprit Shahana 18/08/07 Eliza Park, Kerrie
64 B.Colt- Bel Esprit Sheeza Classic 20/10/07 Shady Lane Thoroughbreds, Ballarat
187B.Colt- Bel Esprit Above the Edge 18/09/07 Flinders Park Stud, Flinders
213B.Colt-Bel Esprit Apalachicola 30/08/07 Eliza Park, Kerrie
224Br.ColtBel Esprit Aura Raider 18/12/07 Glentree Downs, Modewarre
302B.Colt Bel Esprit Costa Reiko 30/09/07 Arundel Farm Estate, Keilor
318B.Filly Bel Esprit Dantain 19/09/07 Kulani Park, Willow Tree, NSW
380B.Filly Bel Esprit Floral Emblem 21/10/07 Caithness Breeding, Wallan
393B.Colt-Bel Esprit Gazania 30/08/07 J. Matthews & L. Backwell, Lancefield
419B. or Br.Colt Bel Esprit Helsinge 30/09/07 Swettenham Stud, Nagambie
464B.Colt-Bel Esprit Lady Acumen (NZ) 03/09/07 Oakford Thoroughbred Farm, Maldon
471B.Filly Bel Esprit Larnie (NZ) 08/09/07Rosemont Stud, Ceres
541B.Filly Bel Esprit My Jaspa (NZ) 24/09/07 Little Plains Stud, Wangaratta
545B.Colt Bel Esprit Naturalist 04/09/07 Chatswood Stud, Seymour
549Br.ColtBel Esprit No Limit 30/10/07 Little Plains Stud, Wangaratta
572B.Colt-Bel Esprit Palixandre 15/11/07 Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, Corinella
594B.Filly Bel Esprit Presidential Suite 20/09/07 Erinvale Thoroughbreds, Nagambie
750B.Filly Bel Esprit Lanadee 07/09/07 Swettenham Stud, Nagambie
753B.Colt Bel Esprit Let's Begin 05/10/07 Eliza Park, Kerrie

Bel Esprit Colt 24/02/09

Bel Esprit/Tenets Foal Update


Subscribe to the Thoroughbred Magazine and read the continuing story of the foal that was born after the mating reported on 26/01/09 (Bel Esprit at Eliza Park) and be a small Owner of another winner (hopefully)

The Thoroughbred website - http://www.thethoroughbred.com.au/

Snip Esprit 21/02/09

Stable News by Spencer Knight
1. 22/02/09
Snip Esprit simply too good
Snip Esprit gave a great sight for stable followers yesterday at Ascot winning the last race on the program in brilliant fashion.
Paul Harvey settled the gelding back in 11th position on the fence. At the 600m it wasn’t looking to rosy for the son of Bel Esprit though with nothing but horses’ rumps in front of him it took the skill and experienced of Harvey to find clear running for Snip Esprit.
When the gap appeared Snip showed his wonderful sprint and raced away to triumph by 1 lengths. From here it is now onto the Bunbury stakes over 1400m in a race which he should be very competitive in.
1. 19/02/09
Snip Esprit ready to roll
Stable star Snip Esprit will compete in a 0-79 1200m handicap at Ascot on Saturday. First up the son of Bel Esprit ran a good race when coming from at least 10 lengths off the leader on the turn to go down by just over 6 lengths.
Paul Harvey has been put on this week and will start from a favourable barrier, 7. Transaction will be hardest to bear after a strong win last time out at Ascot whilst Henry The Pharoah and Follow The Road will be tough opposition first up in their campaigns.

High Esprit 20/02/09

High Esprit, Bred to Win.
After finishing fourth at her 1st start at Seymour in September, High Esprit was spelled and ran again at Cranbourne on 1st February, finishing third and ran home very well.
All was set for yesterdays start at Sale, she jumped well, sat behind the leaders and surged to the line and win by two lengths with the third horse another two lengths away.
Being out of a At Talaq mare as is Bel Mer (Bel Esprit's Group 1 winning mare), she has double cross to Vain and Sans Tares. High Esprit is bred and raced by Mr G Gathercole with Graebar Park Pty Ltd, trained by Jason Warren at Mornington and ridden by B. Meldam.
Congratulations to all involved
Trainer profole

Jason Warren, at the age of thirty, is a young man with experience that belies his years. A self starter, Jason's lifelong love of horses meant that a career as a racehorse trainer was always going to be his pursuit.As a trainer perhaps Jason's greatest asset is a complete understanding of the animal that is a racehorse. This broad understanding comes from having worked in many varied but intertwined fields that fall under the sphere of racing.
Jason has just begun training outright again after a 15 month break where he worked as a foreman for Australia's leading trainer, Lee Freedman. It was a calculated hiatus from training outright that Jason used as a valuable teaching lesson. Working in such close proximity to the best trainer and best racehorses in Australia has been a huge learning experience for Jason:“I just wanted to give myself every possible chance to learn as much as I could about my craft. I don't think you could ask for any more than to be working for and be tutored by the best in the business. Although I have my own way of training horses there are definitely lesson I’ve learned from Lee that I will apply to my own training philosophies.”Jason has the right mix of ambition and experience to make it to the top in training racehorses. Maybe it will be your horse that is Jason's first Cox Plate winner?!
Jason has gained extensive experience working with horses at the revered Eliza Park Stud. He has also run a highly successful business out of his fully equipped 25 acre Moorooduc property, Coral Park, where he specialises in breaking in, pre training, and agisting racehorses. This business continues to thrive today. Jason has also of course been a racehorse trainer. He has enjoyed considerable success through training multiple provincial and metropolitan winners.

Bel Esprit Breeding 19/02/09

27,000 Mares Used in Australia in 2008 Season
Michael Ford, the Keeper of the Australian Stud Book, has released statistics for the 2008 breeding season which show that the number of broodmares used has bounced back to nearly 27,000, about the same number as 2006, but over 2000 more than served in 2007.
In the latter year, one in which the equine influenza epidemic curtailed the season in New South Wales and Queensland, the number used fell to 24,512, the lowest for 30 years.
The numbers have held steady in recent years, but are nearly half of the record number of mares, 44,413, served in1988, a time in which breeding boomed around the world and then got flattened by an economic recession.
Michael Ford reports that 826 sires served mares in 2008 out of which557 were born in Australia, 61 in New Zealand, 20 in South America and the others in North America or Europe.
A quarter of century ago there were more than 2000 sires at stud in Australia but very few had books in excess of 50 and a big percentage had less than 15. Most of the top sires now each look after over 100 and the busiest in 2008 was the Coolmore based Danehill sire Fastnet Rock with 248 mares. This was 18 less than the Australian record 266 looked after by Bel Esprit at the Eliza Park Stud at Kerrie in Victoria in the2007 season. The sires used in 2008 included 114 by Danehill and 60 by his sons or grandsons.

New Avenue 17/02/09

New Avenue, Another Brief Truce Mare.
After getting worked up at Echuca in her 1st start and finishing a fifteen and a half length 2nd last, New Avenue was trialed a week later at Wangaratta where she settled and won. Seven weeks later at Tatura yesterday, she recorded his 1st win when she beat a field of twelve.
All credit must go the trainer, Gwenda Johnstone, for being able to turn the form around. Interestingly, this is the fourth Bel Esprit she has raced, having won three races and four placings from eleven starts with Losta Grunt ($48,000).
The Dam, Taj Lani, is out of Brief Truce who a good cross to Bel Esprit. Only other starters out of Brief Truce mares are Royal Esprit, five wins ($169,450) and two year old winner three weeks ago, Genuine Stunner ($34,660).

GIRLS ON THE AVENUE
Echuca ‘s Gwenda Johnstone – trainer of 2008 Group One winner Shadoways – appears to have a promising filly on her books in the shape of Bel Esprit 3YO, New Avenue.
Having only her second start at Tatura yesterday, New Avenue proved too good over the 1000m, hitting the wire with a half a panel to spare.
Bred by Doug Blackshaw, New Avenue is out of Taj Lani a winning half sister to NZ 2000 Guineas-G1 winner Clean Sweep and hails from the immediate family of 4-time Group One winner Habibti.
Bel Esprit has now had two runners out of Brief Truce mares, ensuring that progeny are linebred to Northern Dancer through a son and a daughter. The other is Royal Esprit 3-time city winner and stakesplacegetter who races out of the Hawkes stable.

Princess Sparkle 10/02/09

Sparkle Shines At Pakenham
Promising filly Princess Sparkle reigned supreme over her rivals with an impressive win at Pakenham yesterday.The Robert Smerdon-trained mare, raced by Nick Moraitis, was perfectly handled by apprentice Jack Hill who had her position last early on the inside and saving ground.
She was near last but bolting approaching the turn so Hill edged closer, before putting her into a gap at the top of the straight and letting her down.She sprinted quickly and gapped her rivals, tearing away to win by five lengths in a very impressive display.
The win was just the second in her 10 career starts but she will be fitter again and looks likely to be suited over more ground.
Princess Sparkle is by Bel Esprit out of a Sir Tristram mare, Helen Of Troy and bred by her Owner, Nick Moraitis. Congratulations Nick.
Princess To Sparkle At Pakenham
The Aquanita team have three runners engaged today at the meeting at Pakenham.The day begins with Princess Sparkle in race four, where the Robert Smerdon-trained mare looks an each-way chance.

The mare is fitte5r for one run from a spell where she was beaten for speed and finished at the tail, but didn’t have a lot of luck there.

She meets a far easier assignment today, is nicely weighted after the claim for Jack Hill, has dranw well and is much better suited over the longer journey.She is expected to improve sharply.

Supreme Best 11/02/09

Supreme Best proves worth at Eagle Farm
Wednesday, 11 February 2009:
The Sunshine Coast's Robert Wilson produced a feat that would make some of the country's biggest trainers proud when Supreme Best landed a sustained plunge at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.
Supreme Best, who was having his first start for the little-known Wilson stable, delivered in spades for those who backed him from $6 to $2.70 favouritism with on-course bookmakers when the four-year-old cruised to a 2-1/4 length win in the Rough Habit Bar Handicap (1200m).
Costing $50,00 at the Magic Millions sales in June 2006, Supreme Best is by Bel Esprit out of a Canny Lass mare, Ultima Vita.
The victory was made more memorable as Supreme Best was having his first start in 17 months, since he finished eighth on debut in a Three-Year-Old Maiden (1000m) at Eagle Farm in September 2007.
Wilson has held a trainer's licence for 10 years but only made it his permanent occupation two years ago when he sold his property on the outskirts of Brisbane and relocated to the Sunshine Coast.He trains a small team of six horses and the winning prizemoney couldn't have come at a better time as he is currently extending his stable accommodation."I've got six in work and two more are coming so I've had to build some more stables," Wilson said.
Wilson operated a family windscreen business in Brisbane and dabbled in training a few horses before deciding to sell up to train permanently at Caloundra."It was just before EI (equine influenza) when we sold up," he said."We had a few horses in training at two properties, one in Brisbane and the other at Caloundra so I decided to try training full-time."Unfortunately for Wilson only the prizemoney will boost his bank balance to fund the stable project as he maintained Supreme Best's backing was not stable inspired."We didn't have a cent on him but someone did," Wilson said."It's nice to think someone has the confidence in us."

BEST EFFORT AT THE FARM
Supreme Best has a long way to go to live up to his lofty moniker, but the 4YO son of Bel Esprit certainly put his best hoof forward at Eagle Farm on Wednesday (11 February).
Having debuted at Eagle Farm in September, this was Supreme Best’s second run – and first in almost five months – but it didn’t take long to shake off the rust, winning by over two lengths.
Trained by Robert Wilson, Supreme Best is out of the Canny Lad mare, Ultima Vita – a winner at two who has produced four winners including the stakes placed Tchaikovsky and 5-time Hong Kong winner Stylish.
Ultima Vita is also a half sister to Group Two winner Full At Last, plus the dams of Maribyrnong Stakes-G2 flyer Catnipped, Bleveeka, Life’s a Bounty, Miss Prospect, Chuckle etc.

Bel Esprit Half Brother

Smart Win for Bel Esprit Half-Brother

Tara Madgwick

Friday, 6 February 2009
The Gai Waterhouse trained Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) colt Hashasan ran up to what he’d previously shown in trackwork when powering home for a dominant two and a half length win over 1400 metres at Randwick on Friday.

Having his third trip to the races and improving from a last start fourth, Hashasan was ridden quietly and allowed to find his feet before charging home to win in the manner of a horse destined to win better races.“He’s a really beautiful colt and he’s shown his true ability today, so I think he’s a horse we’ll see plenty more of over the carnival,” said Gai Waterhouse.

A $600,000 purchase for Rob McAnulty from the Coolmore draft at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Hashasan is a half-brother by Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) to former top class sprinter and now successful sire Bel Esprit.His dam Bespoken featured at the recent Magic Millions Yearling Sale where her Encosta de Lago filly fetched $300,000 for Coolmore Stud

.Although Coolmore based Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) no longer shuttles to Australia, he does have a good number of yearlings entered for the sales this year with 11 for Inglis Classic, five for MM Perth, 13 for Inglis Premier and three for MM Adelaide.

Khairesprit 3/02/09

Three in a Row for Khairesprit

The Queen of the Western District of Victoria added to previous wins at Donald and last two starts at Terang, with a blistering burst of speed to win Ararat yesterday, 3rd Febuary 2009.

Starting favourate at $3.80, Khairesprit gave her Owners, Australian T'bred Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr:D Dance), B Fellows, G Sharp, Murstone, B Calleja, D Poole, Lord Family, Fun For All, Think Big & R Treffene, a bit of a scare as she was so far back entering the straight and it can be said that the jockey, M Pumpa, timed the run to perfection. He said that maybe the horse could get a bit more distance and the trainer Darren Weir was very happy to see a lot of pace in the race.


Interesting to note that Darren appeared to be "goosed" by an owner, as he was being interviewed by TVN after the race, made us viewers chuckle.


.

Genuine Stunner 31/1/09

Morphettville Races Report

Riding for his master Stuart Gower Scott Bailey, who is the only male apprentice riding against nine female apprentices in Adelaide, scored a three quarters of a length win on Genuine Stunner in the 1000 metre opening event at Morphettville on Saturday.

Starting the $2.50 favourite the Bel Esprit two year old filly Genuine Stunner is from the Brief Truce mare Brief Moment and was near the lead for the entire journey going on to beat the Leon Macdonald charge, the apprentice Tillie Neve guided Snappy General $14. A farther neck away third was Fareer $2.80 for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.


The Owners of Genuine Stunner are C J Doak, F J Moore, G R Burns, A P Newman, T R Hurst, Mrs V Cronin, T Lillis, B J Kennedy, Little Fish Syndicate (Mgr: P Doak), G W Hodgens.
Congratulations.

Bel Esprit Report Card

Bel Esprit Progeny Report Card, Half Way Mark 2008-2009 Season

From 1/8/2008 till 31/1/2009
Starts---388----Wins---65----Strike Rate---16.8 %--Winners--49
-----------------Place---90
------------------------155---Strike Rate---40%

1st crop--starts-200--wins--38----Strike Rate-19%----Winners--27
2nd crop-starts-180--wins--26----Strike Rate-14.4%---Winners--21
3rd crop-starts----8--wins---1-----Strike Rate-12.5%--Winners--1

List of winners
Crop------------------- Date-------Win-----By--Dist---Type------Course-Jockey---Bar-Wgt
1-APPLE ESPRIT-29-Nov-08-1 of 10--2.3-1000-MDNWFA-Y VL--M PUMPA---2--56
1-BEAU ESPRIT--18-Oct-08--1 of 4----2.3-1206-OC_CL6----WOD--N SOUQUET4--56.5
1-BEAU ESPRIT--30-Nov-08-1 of 6----4.3-1200-CLASS6----WOD--B WARD-----6--53
1-BEAU ESPRIT--23-Jan-09--1 of 5----4.5-1400-HCP--------WOD--B WARD------4--56
1-BEL MER--------30-Aug-08-1 of 14---0.2-1100-G4SPW----CAUL-C NEWITT-13-54.5
1-BELLA QUEEN-1-Oct-08----1 of 13---0---1200-M F&M----NZ-----D JOHNSON-6--57
1-BLUE SKY------14-Jan-09---1 of 12---0.5-1650-080-060-H VAL-Z Purton---8--129
1-CARDANNIC---7-Dec-08----1 of 11---4.5-1100-MDNWFA-HOB---D PIRES----4--56
1-COURT BELL---27-Aug-08--1 of 11---1----1006-MDNWFA-M BR--S PRICE-----4--55
1-COURT BELL---13-Sep-08---1 of 14---0.6-1100-SACL2-----MORP-S PRICE-----1--53
1-DIPLOMATIC S5-Oct-08----1 of 6----1.5-1200-CLASS3----Y VL--C NEWITT---3--55
1-EJERCITO------12-Oct-08---1 of 11---0.2-1450-CLASS1----KILM--J M WINKS-6--58
1-EJERCITO------9-Nov-08----1 of 11--0.2-1400-CLASS2----CRAN-M ALLEN----1--57
1-ESPRIT DE GA8-Jan-09----1 of 10--1.1--1100-MDNWFA--PNLA-D TOURNEU-2-57
1-ESPRIT DE RO4-Nov-08---1 of 12---2---1200-CLASS4-----MORP-A HERRMAN4-57
1-ESPRIT DE RO29-Nov-08--1 of 12--0.1-1600-SACL3------MORP-MS C LINDOP7-53.5
1-ESPRIT LAD---9-Aug-08----1 of 9----5---1200-OC_CL4----LTH---AG ROBINSO2-56
1-ESPRIT LAD---17-Aug-08--1 of 11---5.3-1100-CLASS4----NMNE-AG ROBINS4-55.5
1-IBSEN----------24-Dec-08--1 of 13---3.8-1000-CLASS1---ASCT---W A PIKE-----12-58
1-KHAIRESPRIT1-Jan-09----1 of 7----0.1-1400-CLASS1---TER---J MATTHEWS-1--51
1-KHAIRESPRIT20-Jan-09--1 of 10---1.3-1600-CLASS2---TER----M PUMPA---7-53.5
1-LAURA'S SPIR27-Sep-08--1 of 11---0.5-1000-OC_CLB--TALW--C DIXON-----2-56
1-LOTSA GRUNT4-Nov-08---1 of 8-----1.5-1000-CLASS2--ECHA---M JOHNSTO6-55
1-LOTSA GRUNT21-Dec-08--1 of 11----0.8-1000-CLASS2--CRAN-S W ARNOLD9-57.5
1-MILAKAI-------28-Sep-08--1 of 11----1.3-1000-CLASS1--SW H---W J EGAN---9-54.5
1-MILAKAI-------10-Oct-08--1 of 9-----0.4-1170-CLASS2--WANG-W J EGAN---7-51.5
1-PERFECT SKY-26-Sep-08--1 of 14---------1200------------SING--R WOODWOR-9-58
1-REGAL SCOUT-30-Aug-08--1 of 12---3.5-1415-MDNWFA-BLLAW J EGAN---6-56.5
1-REGAL SCOUT-14-Sep-08---1 of 14---1.3-1587-CLASS1---WOD--W J EGAN-----4-58
1-ROYAL ESPRIT9-Aug-08----1 of 10--0.2-1200-WELTER--RHILG SCHOFIELD-2-54
1-SANDHILL BEL26-Oct-08---1 of 11--0.7-1430-MDNWFA-NARA POST---------3-55
1-SPIRIT OF CAP18-Jan-09-1 of 11--0.2-1400-MDN-------P MQ--D PEISLEY----3-55---
1-SPIRITED HAL26-Nov-08--1 of 15--0.8-1300-CLASS6---SANC D SYMONS-4-56.5
1-SUPERIOR SH21-Oct-08-1 of 11--5---1875-MDNWFA-KYNEJ ANSTICE-----2-58
1-TWIN SPIRIT-22-Aug-08---1 of 10--0.5-1080-MDN------ACT--T PHILLIPS---5-55
1-VIGNERON---19-Sep-08----1 of 11--1.2--1300-CLASS3--CAN--R BENSLEY-6-54
1-VIGNERON---26-Jan-09----1 of 16--0.1-1200-CLASS2--WAGT LOVELOCK-1-55.5
1-VIVACIOUS SP20-Sep-08-1 of 16--1.8-1200-G3MARE-CAULC NEWITT-----16-53
2-ANQUETIL----10-Jan-09-----1 of 12--1---1000-3YOMDN-PAK-I CULLIVER6--57
2-ARANDA------18-Jan-09----1 of 13--5.8-1200-MDN-------SING--R FRADD11-57
2-BACKABEL----24-Dec-08---1 OF 10-0.7-1200-MDNWFA-WAGX-J MACO10-56.5
2-BEL SAID------11-Jan-09----1 of 12--0.8-1200-CLASS2----TAMW-K NEST11-54.5
2-BELCINO------14-Nov-08---1 of 12--0.4-1170-CLASS2----WANG-D MILLE4--51.5
2-BELCINO------23-Nov-08---1 of 12--1--1206-CLASS2---BLLA-MS N BERIM4--57
2-BELLE SOCIET23-Oct-08----1 of 11--1.3--1200-3YFMDN--BRAT--D MOOR-8--57
2-BELTROIS-----12-Jan-09----1 of 10--0.1--1107-3YOMDN--S CKCULLIVER--7--57
2-BON MARCHE-7-Oct-08--1 of 8---2.3--1300-3YOMDN--GEES--B J MELHAM8--55
2-BON MARCHE-14-Nov-08--1 of 8---0.2--1523-3YR1MW--M V----B J MEL-1--55
2-CASCABEL-----4-Dec-08---1 of 13--1.3--1200-3YOMDN--BRAT--P MERTEN---11-57
2-ESPRIT CITI---11-Sep-08---1 of 9---1.5--1216-3YFMDN---MORN-M CARSON-5--57
2-ESPRIT DE BU26-Dec-08--1 of 10-0.4--1000-3YOCL1-CHEL--CA ROBERTSO10-54.5
2-ESPRIT OF EV25-Oct-08----1 of 11--2.3--1100-3YOMDN---HOB---D PIRES-----9--55
2-LA BELLA ROO4-Nov-08-----1 of 13--5--1000-3YOMDN---ECHA-D HOLLAND-5--55
2-LA BELLA ROO27-Nov-08---1 of 12--0.8--1100-CLASS2-----BDGO-D HOLLAN-4--53
2-MYTHICAL SPI10-Oct-08--1 of 12--2-----1170-3YOMDN--WANG-D SMITH-----8--55
2-QUEEN ESPRIT15-Aug-08---1 of 12--3.5--1300-MDN-------GOUL--C AGNEW-3--54
2-QUEEN ESPRIT19-Sep-08----1 of 4---3.5--1410-CLASS1--BATH--C AGNEW4--55.5
2-QUEEN RENE--26-Dec-08---1 of 9---3.3--1200-U------------WOD---MS S HUN6--55
2-SAINT ESPRIT--16-Jan-09---1 of 10-0.1--1000-3&2MDN---WAGX-A BLOOMF9-58
2-SANDHILL PRID4-Sep-08----1 of 8---0.2--1000-MDNWFA--NARA-D TOURN7--55
2-SEASONALITY--12-Dec-08---1 of 10--2.3--1016-MDNWFA--MORN-M ALLE7--56.5
2-SILVER BULLIO12-Oct-08---1 of 15--0.2--1100-3YOMDN--HOB----B SMITH---3--57
2-SILVER BULLIO12-Dec-08--1 of 12---2.7--1175-CLASS1----DEV---A AUSTIN10-57.5
2-THIRTEENTHK5-Nov-08-1 of 8---2.5--1200-3YOMDN--KYNE--C D SYMON-7--57
3-GENUINE STUN31-Jan-09-1 of 9---0.8--1000-2YO--------MORP--S BAILEY7--53.5

Bel Esprit at Gold Coast 2009

BEL ESPRIT TOP THIRD SEASON SIRE

The Champion Victorian Sire averaged under $80,000 on the Gold
Coast last year, but proved to be the state’s leading sire in 2009
with an average of $91,250. In the $20,000 to $40,000 fee bracket,
Bel Esprit proved to be the second most profitable sire overall and
clearly the top third season sire, with his yearlings averaging 4.56
times service fee.
So now it’s on to Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney sales
which we can only hope will all take a leaf from the Gold Coast
book.

Bel Esprit at Eliza Park

Thoroughbred piece


A MORNING COVERING HORSES

WORDS PETER RYAN
PHOTOGRAPHS SEAN GARNSWORTHY
INTRO: The act of a stallion covering a mare underpins the racing industry. Even with the effect of equine influenza 15,500 new foals are expected from Australia’s 2007 breeding season. Conception must happen naturally, but it is too big a business to leave to chance. Old-fashioned horsemanship and advanced science is behind the conception. Hope, faith and a little guesswork sits behind the economy it creates. The moment stallion meets mare however remains a vigorous, primal act: a reminder that the magic of the thoroughbred industry is not confined to the track.

It’s just before 11am on December 19, sunset in the breeding season. At the well-worn gates of Eliza Park – Victoria’s leading stud farm near Kerrie, 40 minutes north-west of Melbourne, it’s quiet. A sign on the outside lists the quality of horseflesh in the undulating acres around: Bel Esprit, Black Hawk, God’s Own, Clangalang, Danbird, Delago Brom, Desert Sun, Mujahid and Written Tycoon. Magnus will be added to the list in 2008.

In 15 minutes, the 2002 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Bel Esprit (b h 1999, by Royal Academy – Bespoken by Vain) will make the short walk from the stallion stables to the breeding barn to mate with a seven-year-old mare, Tenets, a lightly raced chestnut by Canny Lad from Miss Believe (by Kaoru Star). Her blood is dominated by Star Kingdom (4x3).

The breeding barn is a square shed set to the right of the long, tree-lined driveway that leads to the office. Shane McGrath, the Irish-born general manager who arrived in Australia for six months 10 years ago, accompanies us there. When we enter the wide open doors, the mare is waiting with two handlers in the middle of a fenced section about the size of a large two-up ring. Dengari Lodge’s Garry Isaac, on the lookout for a quality mare, purchased her in 2007 for $35,000. He saw some photos, received a vet’s report to ensure the seven-year-old was sound from a breeding perspective and made the decision to buy. “I just liked her,” he said. This is her second visit to Bel Esprit and she has two unnamed colts by Over (b h 1996, Dr. Grace – Tromper by Lunchtime). The first of those Over colts was sold as a weanling at the Victorian June weanling sale to the bid of Commercial Bloodstock for $4000 in 2006. It was later resold as a yearling in 2007 at the Perth Magic Millions sale for $14,000 (bid of Phil Burton). The second colt, a chestnut, was reared in Western Australia and is an unnamed yearling.

Today, Tenets chestnut coat is sunburned more than shining, and half a dozen flies have found a resting place on her back. She is sturdy rather than striking, but appears comfortable and strong. Her tail is bandaged to keep it tight and taut for both convenience and hygiene reasons. She has been cleaned up behind. Any caslicks – stitches inserted after giving birth to foals – have been removed. She is wearing padded boots on the feet of her hind legs, standard protection to eliminate any damage that might come from a swift kick to the stallion’s important bits.

The days of quantity before quality are long gone. Science has taken over, and a stallion is expected to serve a “primed” mare only once in the spring. While Star Kingdom, in the 1960s, covered 75 mares in more than 200 matings during a season, the leading sires of today will serve 160 mares on 200 covers – and more than likely travel to the northern hemisphere a few months later to repeat the transaction.

It’s why a vet has inspected Tenets earlier to ensure she is ovulating. Covering can be dangerous and the parties involved are valuable. It takes place at the time when the likelihood of a positive outcome is at its highest. That’s now, today.

The breeding barn’s walls are corrugated iron with black padding rising to a height of about three metres in case the horses hit the walls as they move while mating. Two entrances you could drive a car through take up two sides of the barn, and the floor is covered with black gravel. It’s sparse. Apart from the standard stench a horse provides the room is relatively clear of smell. A big fan is built into another wall, for use in extreme heat, and the lights are on as light rain falling outside darkens the space. Lights are essential: mating takes place when the mare is right, and the stallion ready. Bel Esprit often covers mares in the evening or at 2am, when the specks of light from the breeding barn and the stallion shed make for a glow you can see for kilometres. Locked away in the foal pen in front of the mare is her recently born foal, a colt by Bel Esprit born from her 2006 spring mating. Foals are the mare’s security blanket. His presence is a calming influence to Tenets and an indicator to spectators that the mare has been here, done this before. It might, in this instance, explain her calm demeanour.

It can get cold out here, but that is not the reason the mare’s handlers are wearing protective suits. Urine and horse dung and sweat are all likely to fill the air inside the breeding shed. Relaxed directions fly quietly, when needed, between handlers. McGrath explains the process and underlines the stud farm’s approach: “Every covering is so important,” he says as his genial manner suddenly gets down to business. We are still adjusting to the ambience when a stallion enters the barn from a side door. It’s not Bel Esprit. It’s the teasing horse. His stable name is Habib. He’s impressive enough for a standardbred horse, but he is merely here to tease, to ensure the mare is ready. It’s a thankless task, one ripe for immature gags, but his role is important. He strides directly past the mare’s behind and walks towards her side, a whinny filling the room. His penis – as long as a dog walker’s flick stick – swings beneath him. He lifts his front legs over the mare’s side and she backs into him. The handlers, who keep a tight hold on both horses, know the mare is ready. Habib is dragged down with a subtle flick from Darren Mackereth, Eliza Park’s stallion manager and Bel Esprit’s handler. Knowing his work is done, Habib is led out of the barn, silently, without complaint and back to his stable.

The mood is relaxed. The mare is led back into the crush – a stall that opens to the covering area. She is placid. There is no sense of concern as her tail is lifted and the bandage is reapplied to ensure that when Bel Esprit arrives the horse is clean and ready.

The mare has two handlers. Chris Edmondson is a strong baby-faced lad from Yorkshire, England. He is polite, but all business. His colleague, Anton Presnell, is unshaven, a cheeky, relaxed grin springing out from under the cap that sits under his helmet. On a busy day 20 covers happen. The conversation between them is quick, their understanding of what has to be done obvious: “The tail or the front?” offers Presnell.

Edmonson chooses the front. He holds a twitch in his hand. The twitch is a piece of wood with the dimensions of a baseball bat with a loop on the end. He attaches it to Tenets’ nose to ensure she remains calm when the stallion enters the ring. There is no suggestion she won’t. As she is led back to the middle of the barn and Presnell locks the door behind him, Tenets remains unflustered. If she were a dinner guest, you’d describe her as good company rather than overbearing. When they reach the middle, Tenets stands in the centre like a statue.

The handlers wear helmets. Safety is paramount now in the racing business, and the wearing of helmets by handlers has become a standard rule at Eliza Park. Mackereth has to double back as he goes to collect Bel Esprit because he’s forgotten his helmet. “Ready boys,” he asks as he retrieves his helmet before heading to the stallion shed.

It’s a 30-metre walk from the stallion shed to the breeding barn. Since August 26 the prized stallion Bel Esprit has made the walk around 200 times. It’s a job worth getting out of his stall for: each service is worth $20,000. At the beginning of September it’s quick money, a whinnying, excited Bel Esprit can hardly wait to get over to the action, the former sprinter meeting the waiting mare at pace. By now, it’s more routine, but care still needs to be taken. He has had his usual 6am feed and, if time allows, a run in the paddock. McGrath says the secret to a successful breeding program is to keep the horse content. “The mental side is so important. It’s about continuity and keeping them happy,” he says. Mackereth is assigned Bel Esprit – a familiar presence keeps the stallion relaxed.

Bel Esprit enters. The bay horse has real presence. A physically powerful horse in his day, the experts in the barn say he has the build of a classic sprinter: massive hindquarters, muscles nearly bursting through the front shoulders, a short back that appears long underneath. He also has a masculine head with great width between the eyes – a stallion’s head is the way it’s described in younger horses, still to make the grade. He has a good nostril and jaw. The big jowl will get thicker as he gets older. “All power and muscle,” says McGrath. “His fertility is so strong.”

Bel Esprit approaches Tenets quietly, and sniffs her behind. Mackereth has the stallion under a tight hold. Edmonson stands in front of the mare, hands tight on the twitch, while Presnell is on the far side, ready to lift the mare’s tail when the action begins. Bel Esprit is sniffing, licking under the front of her leg. In a flash there is action as the stallion squeals and kicks with his front leg towards the mare. All the handlers move decisively, like referees in a boxing ring, using strength and judgement to be in the position they need to be, as quickly as possible. Again Bel Esprit goes quiet. Tenets drops the lip, her teeth chattering. Her face is like a ventriloquist’s puppet, bottom lip moving up and down. McGrath says it’s a sign she’s relaxed and enjoying it.

Bel Esprit keeps licking. About three minutes have elapsed since he arrived. There is no banter between the handlers. The stallion whinnys and arches his neck to its full extent. The veins in his neck are not visible but his muscle tone is. Bel Esprit shudders. Mackereth scratches his belly. After watching the stallion go through this process 200 times Mackereth knows how to get him moving. His touch is subtle, the only movement amon

g the handlers. The three men stand still but their eyes dance, alive to the prospect of movement. Bel Esprit decides it’s time and rips out a deep roar so loud and inspiring it creates a breeze within the barn. As a watcher you move, instinctively assuming a defensive pose like a cricketer fielding in close when bat hits ball. And that reaction comes with a fence separating you from the horses.

Bel Esprit launches his front legs forward in a violent jerk that jolts the handlers. They strain as they position him. Edmondson pulls on the twitch leaning forward with his weight towards the back of the mare helping Tenets to stand still. Mackereth helps to position the penis, while Presnell lifts Tenets’ tail and supports the stallion. Bel Esprit bites down on the mare’s mane. It’s a firm but not vicious grip, as much to placate the mare to his dominance as to brace himself into position to ensure he does not slide off. (All stallions are different. Some are quite vicious towards the mare and need to be muzzled). Bel Esprit weighs 630 kilograms and more than 16 hands in height. He towers above the mare and the men below. One man standing on another’s shoulders would just about be at the same height as the stallion’s head.





Bel Esprit fills the space, his muscles straining as he twists his neck down and thrusts forward, energy coming from the hind legs, his hooves arched from the ground as he enters the mare. In an instant it is over and Bel Esprit collapses his weight on the mare’s back, resting his head for a second before dropping his front legs to the ground. A quick wash of his penis with warm water ensures no gunk remains. Bel Esprit is led away.

Ten minutes later he is in his stall, sawdust on the feet and eating his feed – a mix of lucerne, chaff, oats and a balance of vitamins and nutrients – with gusto. His job is done. A six-month break in the paddock looms as the breeding season nears completion.

Tenets is checked within 36 hours to see if the follicle ovulated. A pregnancy scan – completed on January 2 – is positive. A second scan will occur on the January 16. Isaac is hopeful and positive: “Bel Esprit has been throwing strongly built, compact progeny. He’s a sprinting type and that is what the buyers look at. He’s just a nice horse.”

*****
When the deed is done, the only sounds heard around the stud are the hypnotic rhythm of hooves on gravel and a light breeze sweeping up and down the shallow valleys around. The intensity of the breeding act – one that contains the explosive uncertainty that makes great sport exhilarating – has passed. It has been like this for centuries now, since three stallions – the Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Barb and the Byerley Turk – were brought to Great Britain from the Middle East in the early 1700s to start the line. From the beginning it has been a search to improve the breed –matching stallions to mares for speed, to stay, to be a good juvenile or a late maturer, or to be a great jumper. Some will rise to extraordinary heights, others will remain unknown except as the butt of jokes from philosophical owners, a breed in itself, based on hope, a breed that lives with the knowledge that trying and dreaming has its own reward. In recent times in Australia it has been an industry experiencing extraordinary growth as many are taken by what they see on the track and want to be involved from the very start. It’s not an easy business: Bel Esprit and Tenets have just thrown another dice. Many, even those with without a direct interest, are watching how the dice turns.

Bel Esprit
Race Record

19 starts 8 wins, 4 seconds, 1 thirds (Earnings $2,073,600)

Major Wins
2002 Blue Diamond Stakes (Group 1)
2003 Doomben Ten Thousand (Group 1)
Stallion Record

Australia’s Leading 2YO sires (2006-07 Stakes Earnings)
No.1 Flying Spur No.36 Bel Esprit

Australia’s Leading 2YO sires (2006-07 Winners)
No.1 Fasliyev No.17 Bel Esprit

Australia’s Leading First Season Sires (2006-07 Stakes Earnings)
No.1 Choisir, No.8 Bel Esprit

Australia’s Leading First Season Sires (2006-07 Winners)
No.1 Choisir, No.8 Bel Esprit

Top 2007 Victorian Stallions by Service Fee
No.1 God’s Own $33,000 No.4 Bel Esprit $20,000

Top 2006 Victorian Sires by Coverings
No.1 Bianconi 175 coverings No.3 Bel Esprit 162 coverings

Biggest Sale Result
In 2006 a colt named Royal Esprit by Bel Esprit out of Floribunda (by Brief Truce) sold for $160,000 at the William Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Bel Esprit’s stakes winners:
Bel Mer (AUS) 2004 (from Drop Anchor by At Talaq)
2007 MRC Quezette Stakes (Listed)

Belcentra (AUS) 2004 (from Centra Rainbeam by Centaine) 2007 VRC Lexus Stakes (Listed)
Gabbidon (AUS) 2004 (from Eliza Park, by Scenic)
2007 MRC Thousand Guineas Prelude Group 3
2007 SAJC The Jansz Group 3

Number of Stallions in Australia
883

Number of Mares Covered
26875

Number of Shuttle Stallions
59

Foals born in Australia
In 2006 18,200 foals were born in Australia. The Australian Stud Book has predicted that the foal numbers may decline to 15,500 in 2007 due to Equine Influenza.


Source: Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Website (http://www.tbaus.com)

Bel Esprit Stallion Winners21/01/09

Virtual FormGuide - Stallion Statistics (Winners)

till 21/01/2009

----------------This Season----Last Season

Pos--Stallion------- Sts Win%-- Pos Sts Win%
1 Redoute's Choice- 618-17.2--- 9- 915-11.7

2 Bel Esprit-------- 332-16.6--- 2- 330-15.2

3 Choisir----------- 411-16.1--- 5- 512-14.5
4 Magic Albert----- 355-15.8---6- 555-14.2
5 Danetime (IRE)---375-15.2---1- 570- 16
6 Fasliyev (USA)---644-14.4---15-1041-11
7 Rubiton ----------513-14.4---23-1052-10.1
8 Bletchley Park ---411-14.4---20-745-10.6
9 More Than Ready437-14.2---4 -728-15
10Commands ------713-14-----3-1198-15.2
11Jeune (GB)-------568-13.6--25-1029-10
12Scenic (IRE)------531-13.4---7-1196-13.4
13Flying Spur-------613-12.7--14-1206-11.1
14Testa Rossa------591-12.2 --11-1133-11.4
15Encosta De Lago--861-12----17-1914-10.7
16Bianconi (USA)---505-11.9---13-726-11.2
17Sequalo-----------787-11.8---10-1212-11.5
18Secret Savings---484-11.8---18-980-10.7
19Beautiful Crown -640-11.4---21-1139-10.3
20Strategic-------- 565-11.3---8 -1138-12.7
21Danehill Dancer -788-11-----16-1335-10.8
22Lion Hunter-----635-11-----24-1391-10.1
23General Nediym-737-10.7---19 -1258-10.7
24Catbird ---------717-10.7---12-1280-11.3
25Clang------------614-10.1---22-1093-10.3

Khairesprit 1/01/09, 20/01/09

Two in a Row for Khairesprit
The Owners of Khairesprit, Australian T'bred Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr:D Dance), B Fellows, G Sharp, Murstone, B Calleja, D Poole, Lord Family, Fun For All, Think Big & R Treffene, must love the big open Terang Racecourse.
After winning at the track on New Year's day, their horse saddled up on Tuesday (20th January) and won again over 1600m. with a bonus from the Tote.
The return of $12.10 for the win and $3.20 for the place was a good return and the way she won, trailing in 2nd last place and racing around the field in the straight to win by 1 and 1/4 lengths, all goes well for the future.
Interesting to note is the two Bel Esprit horses to run over 1600. or longer this year, both won. They are 4 year olds and 1st crop horses have a strike rate of 19.3% this Racing season.

Khairesprit 2/01/09
New Year's Day celebrations double
HORSE RACINGBY PETER FLETCHER
2/01/2009 1:00:00 AM
LIGHTLY-RACED mare Khairesprit contributed to a career highlight for Yangery apprentice Jackson Matthews yesterday at Terang.The four-year-old Bel Esprit mare, trained at Ballarat by Darren Weir, provided the second leg of a winning double for the the four-kilogram claiming rider.Khairesprit ($5.50) came from last to win the Grand Annual Club 0-62 rating handicap over 1400 metres by a short head from Absolute Babe ($3.30fav).
Earlier, Matthews won the Brenton Primmer Maiden Plate (1400m) on Fast And Legal for his master, Jarrod McLean.Khairesprit, having her seventh race start, produced a thrill for her syndicate of owners with the way she stormed down the middle of the track after trailing the field for 1100 metres.
Managing part-owner Darren Dance, of Ballan, praised Matthews for the way he followed riding instructions."I thought she'd win today if she was ridden well because she gets back in her races," Dance said."That's why we selected Terang because it's a big, open track."If he (Matthews) keeps listening to instructions and riding like that he'll win a lot more races."Dance, who is involved with syndication company Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, also sees a promising future for Khairesprit.
He said she was likely to have her next start in a restricted mares' race, possibly at a Friday night Moonee Valley meeting..

Spirit of Caplan 18/01/09

THAT'S THE SPIRIT
Nice breakthrough win for Spirit of Caplan at Port Macquarie on Sunday (18 January), notching up win No. 45 for Bel Esprit this season.
Having experienced floating problems en route to Cessnock on 16 December (running fourth when first up from a six month spell), Spirit of Caplan was bred by the Fleming family and sold to Rick Worthington at the 2006 Gold Coast Magic Millions.
Spirit of Caplan hails from the Mr Prospector mare, Golden, a half sister to Canadian Group Two winner Seattle Sangue from the 3-time Group One winning Lyphard mare Sangue.
Boasting a nice mix of European, North American and Japanese black type, Spirit of Caplan is from the immediate family of Sunday Silence stallion Bubble Gum Fellow.

Saint Esprit 16/01/09

SAINT SCORE

It was a deserved win for Saint Esprit at Wagga on Friday (16 January), having only his second start and first run in seven months.

Tried publicly for the first time in an Echuca trial last May, Saint Esprit won that test and then won another trial at Wodonga a fortnight later.

Unfortunately, he finished midfield on debut at Swan Hill in June and was subsequently tipped out for a lengthy spell. But Berrigan trainer and part-owner, Paul McVicar, must have been reasonably confident when heading to Wagga after Saint Esprit had demolished his trial rivals by 5 lengths at Albury on 10 January.

A 3YO son of Bel Esprit, Saint Esprit is out of the Don’t Say Halo city winner Hunter Halo and is from the family of former top stayer Native Jazz.

Aranda 18/01/09(2)

BEL'S ARANDA BOLTS IN AT KRANJI
The first email arrived around 6.30 this morning and there’s been quite a few missives and phone calls since.
Lyle Plumb was ‘Johnny-on-the-spot’ though and reckons the victory of Bel Esprit 3YO, Aranda, at Singapore’s Kranji course over 1200m last night was “awesome”.
And, writing for the Singapore Turf Club, expat scribe, Craig Brennan was also mightily impressed: “Aranda, having just his second start, was throttled down by jockey Robbie Fradd to score by 5.75 lengths.
“The 3YO was one of the first to jump and Fradd had no hesitation in rolling forward on Aranda. As the field turned for home, Fradd released the brakes and opened up a commanding break. The winning margin could have been greater but for Fradd applying a stranglehold over the final 50m.
“Trainer Michael Freedman reported after the race that Fradd has a healthy opinion of Aranda and would like to stick with the galloper.
“’Robbie said he hadn’t bottomed out and there will be a lot more improvement to come from him,’ said Freedman. ‘We’ll see how he comes out of this race, but I may be tempted to aim him at the Singapore Guineas next month.’
“The Group Three $200,000 Singapore Guineas over 1600m will be run on 27 February.
“Freedman said Aranda was underdone, education wise, when he stepped out for his debut on 21 December.
“’The race experience did him the world of good and he’s going to continue to improve,’ said Freedman. ‘The Marine Stable (owners) are a good bunch of local guys who have been with me since I came up here. They are fairly new to racing but they are looking at being a major player here.’”


Bigger things in store for Aranda
Craig Brennan
Sunday, January 18, 2009

Aranda (Robbie Fradd) bolts to an easy 5.8 length win in race 5

Australian conditioner Michael Freedman is looking forward to the future with Aranda, a most impressive winner of the $65,000 Restricted Maiden-2 (2 & 3YO) Stakes over 1200m on Sunday.

The three-year-old, having just his second start, was throttled down by jockey Robbie Fradd to score by five-and-three-quarter lengths over Harvey (John Powell) with Royal Sprint (Michael Cahill) a length-and-a-quarter back in third place.
Aranda was in a piggish mood prior to the event. On one occasion he reared and dislodged Fradd before eventually relenting and entering the gates.
The gelding was one of the first to jump and Fradd had no hesitation in rolling forward on the gelding, sharing the lead with Senapathy (Mark Gallagher).

As the field turned for home, Fradd released the brakes on the gelding and the pair opened up a commanding break. The winning margin could have been greater but for Fradd putting a stranglehold on the gelding over the final 50 metres.

Freedman reported after the race that Fradd has a healthy opinion of the three-year-old and would like to stick with the galloper in the future.

“Robbie said he hadn’t bottomed out and there will be a lot more improvement to come from him,” said Fradd.

“We’ll see how he comes out of this race, but I may be tempted to aim him at the Singapore Guineas next month.”

The Group 3 $200,000 Singapore Guineas, 1600m, will be run on February 27.

Freedman said Aranda was underdone education wise when he stepped out for his debut back on December 21.

“The race experience did him the world of good and he’s going to continue to improve,” said Freedman. “Mentally, he’s still on the fragile side.”

Aranda is a three-year-old son of Bel Esprit from the Centro mare Orchid Lady and is owned by the Marine Stable which secured their first victory.

“The Marine Stable are a good bunch of local guys who have been with me since I came up here,” said Freedman.

“They’ve been great supporters and to finally win a race is a great thrill. It’s a pity they couldn’t have won with Any Humour in the race earlier.
“The Marine Stable is fairly new to racing but they are looking at being a major player here,” he said.

Blue Sky 15/01/09, 23/11/08(2)

Bel Esprit Winner in Hong Kong

Tara Madgwick - Thursday, 15 January 2009

Outstanding young Victorian based sire Bel Esprit featured with a winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening when the Caspar Fownes trained Blue Sky broke through for his first win since transferring from Australia.

A winner and stakes-placed for Clinton McDonald when second to Vandalo in the Listed MRC Winning Edge Stakes in the spring 2007, Blue Sky found his best form to win the Class Three 1650 metre event by half a length.

A $200,000 purchase from the Eliza Park draft at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Blue Sky (pictured) is from Aquatint, a half-sister to Group One winner Rhythmic Charm and stakes-winner Greenstone Charm.

Eliza PArk based Bel Esprit has strong representation at the 2009 Inglis Premier Sale in Melbiurne with 22 youngsters catalogued for sale.

BLUE SKY AT HAPPY VALLEY
Hot on the hoof of Aranda’s six length victory in Singapore, Bel Esprit has produced another winner in Hong Kong in the shape of classy miler Blue Sky.
Racing around the 1650m circuit at Happy Valley, Blue Sky proved much too strong for rivals, recording his first win in the region.
Now with the powerful Caspar Fownes stable, Blue Sky raced on seven occasions in Australia for a win and four placings, including a half length second in the VRC Gothic Stakes-LR at Flemington.
Purchased for $200,000 by Clinton McDonald out of Eliza Park’s 2006 Gold Coast Magic Millions draft, Blue Sky was exported to Hong Kong in April last year.
Hailing from the first crop of Bel Esprit, Blue Sky is out of the Supremo mare Aquatint, a half sister to Group One winning 2YO Rhythmic Charm and Group One placed Kiwi, Greenstone Charm. This is also the family of last year’s VRC Patinack Classic-G1 winner Swick.

Blue Sky 23/11/2008
Hong Kong Blue leaves Sky short
Blue Sky can do with a change of luck.
The Bel Esprit raced at Sha Tin (Hong Kong) on Sunday night (23 November) and was beaten a head after having a dispute with a rail behind the barriers before missing the start.
Shifting to Hong Kong earlier in the year and racing out of the Caspar Fownes stable, Blue Sky was bred by Eliza Park and sold to Clinton McDonald for $200,000 at the 2006 Gold Coast Magic Millions.
Racing on seven occasions for Clinton, Blue Sky was sent out favourite in the Adelaide Magic Millions and, in his last Australian prep, ran a half length second to Vandalo in the MRC Gothic Stakes-LR at Caulfield on Cup day.
Blue Sky is out of the Supremo mare, Aquatint, a half sister to Group One winning 2YO Rhythmic Charm and closely related to multiple stakeswinner Universal Ruler.
Blue Sky is Aquatint’s first foal and she has just produced a cracking General Nediym filly. Not surprisingly, she’ll be heading back to Bel Esprit before the close of spring.

Beltrois 12/01/09

ROBBIE GRIFFITHS CHIMES IN WITH ANOTHER BEL WINNER

No sooner had we posted a note on our website about Robbie Griffiths’ success with the progeny of Bel Esprit (see Anquetil Rings Bel on Debut), then the Cranbourne trainer pops up with another Bel ringer at Stony Creek.
Beltrois was only having his second start at the Creek yesterday, having earlier finished second at Mornington.
In recent times, Griffiths Racing has produced three Bel Esprit winners: Cascabel (a win, a second at Flemington, a third at the Valley and a fourth), Anquetil (a winner on debut) and now Beltrois.
And whereas he purchased both Cascabel and Anquetil at public auction, Beltrois is a ‘home bred’.
Robbie purchased his mum, Vaingt Trois, at the Melbourne Premier way back in 1994, winning a race with her before sending the mare to stud in 1997. Not a bad matron either with five of her six runners saluting, including multiple city winner Ruby Trois and Moonee Valley winner Vaingtlago.
Bit too early to tell whether Beltrois joins the metrop honour roll, but the way the Bel Esprits are going, it wouldn’t come as any surprise.
Indeed, Bel Esprit runners have now accumulated 42 winners for the season (2nd on the national 3rd Season Sires chart) and following on from his success at the Gold Coast where his progeny averaged over $111,000 at the Magic Millions, the Champion Victorian Sire is more popular than ever.

Bel Said 11/01/09

SO SAID BEL
Muswellbrook trainer, Mack Griffith, can turn out a good horse, as evidenced by his success with the likes of Canberra Cup hero Dancing Sun and Ipswich Cup winner Bozeman.
Whether his 3YO filly, Bel Said, earns black type is in the lap of the gods, but this daughter of Bel Esprit clearly has her share of ability, taking out a 1200m race at Tamworth yesterday.
It was Bel Said’s first win this time in, but the filly – who hails from the immediate family of Group One winner and sire, Keltrice – did win her first two starts at two and has shown plenty of promise.
Based on the authority of her performance at Tamworth, win No. 4 appears to be just around the corner.

Anquetil 10/01/09

ANQUETIL RINGS BEL ON DEBUT
Cranbourne trainer, Robbie Griffiths, certainly appears to have the ‘key’ to Bel Esprit.
An avid supporter of Victoria’s Champion Sire since the first of his progeny appeared at yearling sales, Robbie has about half a dozen Bel Esprits on his books and has delivered two to the winners’ circle of late.
Cascabel, a 3YO he purchased at the Sydney Classic in 2007, has shown plenty of dash in four ‘money’ runs for the stable, while on Saturday last – at Pakenham – Robbie unearthed another promising type in Anquetil which he also snapped up at the Sydney Classic.
Racing the now 3YO with his wife, Shiranee, we’ve been reliably informed that there are still shares available in the colt who swamped them on debut over the 1000m at Paky.
How long for is questionable given the authority of Anquetil’s win!
Just in case you’re wondering where the name comes from, Anquetil is named after the famous cyclist, Jacques Anquetil, the first person to win the Tour de France five times.
Evidently something of a character (goes with the territory), Jacques tended to polarise cycling groupies throughout Europe and, even though he thumped his great rival, Raymond Poulidor, more often than not, fans tended to split into two groups in much the same fashion as Ford and Holden.
According to cycling journalist, Pierre Chany, who was close to Anquetil: “The Tour de France has the major fault of dividing the country, right down to the smallest hamlet, even families, into two rival camps. I know a man who grabbed his wife and held her on the grill of a heated stove, seated and with her skirts held up, for favouring Jacques Anquetil when he preferred Raymond Poulidor. The following year, the woman became a Poulidor-iste. But it was too late. The husband had switched his allegiance to Gimondi. The last I heard they were digging in their heels and the neighbours were complaining.”
Well, the punters won’t be complaining if they back up on Anquetil – the Bel Esprit version – at his next start.

Anquetil 10/01/09
Cheap Bels
If anybody had taken the time to follow the stories on this site, they would have read that Bel Said, who won her 1st two races, was bought at the Scone Mixed sales in 2007 for $700. andLa bella Roo was bought privately off one of Colin Little's clients for $2000, won her 1st two races and finished in a place at Moonee valley at her last start.
Now , another couple of unusual cheap buys cropped up in the last three days and these came out of Major Sales.
Esprit de Gain, who was the cheapest Bel Esprit horse sold out of the 1st crop, won at Penola last Thursday. He was sold at the Adelaide Magic Million Sales in March 2006 for $3000.
Robbie Griffiths bought a Bel Esprit, Anquetil, out of the 2nd crop for $3000 at the Ingles Febuary Sales in Sydney 2007. He won on Saturday at Pakenham, he was very well backed and won like it. He was the cheapest Bel Esprit sold out of the 2nd crop at Major Sales.
Other cheap Bel winners are
Belcentra, $50,000, a Stakes race and $219,000
Esprit de Roses, $28,000, has won five races and $99,700.
Esprit Lad, $16,000, won 5 races and $40,000and already out of the 2nd crop
Bel Shoes, $20,000, won two races and $26,000
Belcino, $35,000, won three races and $22,000
Casabel, $18,000, won one race, one 2nd at Caulfield and $34,000.

MM Sale Results 10/01/09

SALE RESULTS
Bel Esprit has certainly come into his own at this sale as well with a terrific average of $111,667, highlighted yesterday by Peter Caporn picking up the colt from Jestawinna for $60,000.
Coming off a $20,000 ex GST fee in 2006 – the season these yearlings were conceived – speaks volumes for the regard in which the Champion Victorian sire is now held and he too is holding up well against third season peers.
At the end of session three, Bel Esprit’s average of $111,667 was comparing favourably with those of Choisir ($82,083), Hussonet ($115,000), Rock of Gibraltar ($78,750) and Johannesburg ($42,500).

Jonel Park Thoroughbred P/L (As Agent)
0195 Bay Filly
Bel Esprit /White River
JOHN MOLONEY
VIC
$15000
Eliza Park (As Agent)
0381 Bay Filly
Bel Esprit /Drop Anchor
PATINACK FARM PTY LTD
QLD
$260000
Baerami Thoroughbreds (As Agent)
0502 Bay Colt
Bel Esprit /Jestawinna
PETER CAPORN
WA
$60000

Esprit de Gain 8/01/09

GOLD COAST MAGIC MILLIONS - DAY TWO WRAP
Eliza Park has enjoyed a resounding start to the 2009 Gold Coast Magic Millions with six of seven lots sold by the end of day two, weighing in with an average of $113,000.
Given the current flux of the economy and overall sale clearance, this is a tremendous result and a figure, hopefully, to be enhanced over the next three sessions.
Champion stallion, Bel Esprit, registered the highest price for a Victorian based sire at this year’s Gold Coast MM, when Patianck Farm paid $260,000 for the full sister to multiple stakeswinner, Bel Mer. The filly hails from the stakeswinning mare, Drop Anchor, who had a Danbird yearling sell to Robbie Griffiths for $250,000 at the 08 MM.
Bel Esprit had set the mood earlier in the day – albeit from afar – when the Kambula Stud bred, Esprit de Gain won convincingly at Penola after having finished third in town on debut. Bel Esprit is now tantalisingly close to a six figure ‘earn’ for 08/09 and has now notched up 39 winners for the first half of the season.

Esprit de Gain,10/0 1/09
Cheap BelsIf anybody had taken the time to follow the stories on this site, they would have read that Bel Said, who won her 1st two races, was bought at the Scone Mixed sales in 2007 for $700. andLa bella Rose was bought privately off one of Colin Little's clients for $2000, won her 1st two races and finished in a place at Moonee valley at her last start.Now , another couple of unusual cheap buys cropped up in the last three days and these came out of Major Sales.Esprit de Gain, who was the cheapest Bel Esprit horse sold, out of the 1st crop, won at Penola last Thursday. He was sold at the Adelaide Magic Million Sales in March 2006 for $3000.Robbie Griffiths bought a Bel Esprit, Anquetil, out of the 2nd crop, for $3000 at the Ingles Febuary Sales in Sydney 2007. He won on Saturday at Pakenham, he was very well backed and won like it. He was the cheapest Bel Esprit sold out of the 2nd crop, at Major Sales.
Other cheap Bel winners are
Belcentra, $50,000, a Stakes race and $219,000
Esprit de Roses, $28,000, has won five races and $99,700.
Esprit Lad, $16,000, won 5 races and $40,000and already out of the 2nd crop
Bel Shoes, $20,000, won two races and $26,000
Belcino, $35,000, won three races and $22,000Casabel, $18,000, won one race, one 2nd at Caulfield and $34,000.

Bel Esprit Half Sister 8/01/09

Magic $200k Waterhouse sale for Nolan
January 08, 2009
By JULIAN LUKE
GLADFIELD'S Gerard Nolan has sold a colt for $200,000 to famous trainer Gai Waterhouse at the 2009 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale.Mr Nolan spoke with the Daily News yesterday and said he was "extremely happy" with the result, considering prices were down at this year's sale."It's a bit more than what I thought I'd get," he said."I've never sold to Gai Waterhouse before; she came up to the farm to have a look before the sales.
"Canning Downs Thoroughbred Stud's John Barnes was another happy man at yesterday's sale."The Hong Kong Jockey Club purchased a colt sired by Testa Rossa out of Smartchat, who is a half sister to Bel Esprit, for $100,000," Mr Barnes said."Bel Esprit is a first-class racehorse but also a good sire.