It’s something of an understatement to suggest that BEL ESPRIT has been a star from the get go.
Winner of his first five starts, including the Group 1 Blue Diamond, Bel Esprit would go on to capture the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 before retiring to Sun Stud (then Eliza Park).
From only his 3rd crop, Bel Esprit achieved everlasting fame through racing immortal, Black Caviar, while an unprecedented eight Victorian Sires’ premierships, an Australian title and 720 winners later, he’s still producing headliners such as Kisukano, winner of six from nine, $698,100 in stakes and the only horse to defeat Rothfire (by 2 lengths) as a 2YO.
However, BEL ESPRIT is now well and truly into the next stage as a leading Broodmare Sire, courtesy of Saturday’s brilliant Group 1 Golden Rose winner, Ole Kirk.
On Friday night at Moonee Valley, Swats That became his 25th stakes horse as a Broodmare Sire by taking out the Group 3 Champagne Stakes.
And let’s not forget the big daddy of them all, Beauty Generation.
Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Beauty Generation has won 20 races – including 8 Group 1s – and is the highest money earner ever in Hong Kong. Now under the guidance of David Hayes, Beauty Generation returned to racing on Sunday with a brave second behind Golden Sixty in the Group 3 Celebration Cup at Sha Tin and appears on target to retain his title as the world’s best miler.
Much, much closer to home though is how well MAGNUS over BEL ESPRIT mares go: already there have been 17 winners from 22 runners, with 5 of them stakes horses … among them the exciting 3YO stakes winner FRONT PAGE.
The Geoff Duryea trained chestnut has won four from seven (including 2 seconds) and is due to appear in the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick in 3 weeks with James Macdonald booked for the ride.
So, if you have a BEL ESPRIT mare …
Bel Esprit stands this season at Sun Stud at a fee of just $7,700, while barnmate, MAGNUS will cover another full book at $15,400. No payment on any Sun Stud stallion until live foal.
For further information, phone Phil Marshall at Sun Stud on 0407 853 782.
