breednet.com.au

Twenty-Sixth Stakes Winner for Bel Esprit

Mark Smith - Saturday January 19

The 5-year-old Bel Esprit mare Belwazi made her first stakes attempt a winning one in Saturday's Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington and in the process provided a welcome to Victoria for the champion South Australian jockey Jamie Kah.

A late nomination for the race by trainer Jerome Hunter, Belwazi overpowered the equal favourites Glenall and Champagne Cuddles. (photos Grant Courtney)

Advertisement

"I wanted Jamie for the ride because I have watched her in South Australia and horses just seem to travel so well for her," Hunter told AAP.

"I thought we're going to a big race and I knew she would be hungry for it.

"I think she's a very gifted rider."

Belwazi advances her record to 7 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 18 starts with earnings of $222,790.

The Gathercole family homebred is the seventh and penultimate foal of the Rory's Jester mare Nkwazi who died in 2017.

The dam of six winners including the tough-as-teak Our Nkwazi, Nkwazi was a half-sister to the talented racemare Ocean Bridge (Dolphin Street) who is the dam of the Listed Breeders' Plate winner Run for Wilson (Shamardal) and the Group II Tea Rose Stakes winner and Group 1 Flight Stakes and Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes runner-up Longport (Casino Prince).

The final foal of Nkwazi is an unraced 3yo filly by Choisir named Our Wazi.

Belwazi becomes the 26th stakes-winner for Sun Stud's Bel Esprit.

Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
Second Stakes for Bel Esprit's Tactical Advantage
If Australian Bloodstock was disappointed with the performance of their colour-bearer Mustajeer (GB) in the Melbourne Cup it didn’t take long to bounce back with the Bel Esprit gelding Tactical Advantage breaking a run of outs in the Listed MSS Security Sprint (1200m) at Flemington.
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.
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.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Bel Esprit Sprinter Wins Takeover Target
Sun Stud's evergreen sire Bel Esprit featured at Gosford on Thursday when the Australian Bloodstock colours were carried to victory in the $150,000 Listed Takeover Target Stakes by Tactical Advantage.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Ton For Bel
Sun Stud’s perennial champ, Bel Esprit has again notched up 100 individual winners for the season with promising 3YO, Ashrad, leading throughout to notch up his maiden win at Wangaratta on Sunday.