Bel Esprit’s Belflyer Wins Kosciuszko

Tara Madgwick - Monday October 15
Black Caviar's sire Bel Esprit is back in Victoria this spring for Sun Stud and is riding high thanks to his talented seven year-old Belflyer, who scored a surprise win in the inaugural $1,300,000 Kosciuszko at Randwick last Saturday.

BelflyerThe John Shelton trained gelding has been a tough and consistent campaigner over a number of seasons and was second earlier this year in the Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.

He charged home from back in the field to win the lucrative 1200 metre sprint by half a length taking his overall record to 13 wins from 55 starts with earnings just shy of $1million.

"This is my biggest win by far," Shelton said.

"I've won the Ramornie and several races in town, not enough mind you, but this beats everything.

"I had confidence he would handle the ground and this is great.

"I love this horse. He's a special horse. For Adam (Hyeronimus) to win on him was a really big bonus because he was apprenticed to me and we've remained really true friends."

Belflyer is a half-brother to Champion 3YO Flying Artie and is the next best winner from good producing Group III winner Flying Ruby.

Belflyer was the 30th winner this season for Bel Esprit, who is now running 13th on the Australian General Sires List by earnings.



An 8-time Champion Victorian sire, Bel Esprit is currently the leading sire in the state this season and stands at a fee of $11,000 this spring.


Advertisment
More Reading...
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
A Victory for the Locals in Seymour Cup
The Japanese-breds have been having the time of their lives in Australia of late so when Damian Lane drove A Shin Rook (JPN) through on the rails in Sunday’s $200,000 Listed Seymour Cup (1600m0 it looked a matter of here we go again but this one was destined to be a local victory.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Sun Stud Proud to Support Bushfire Appeal
Throughout January, Victoria’s Sun Stud will be supporting those affected by the devastating bushfires by donating $1,000 for every winner by a Sun Bloodstock owned horse, plus $200 for every winner sired by a stallion on the Sun Stud roster.