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...
Lim’s Kosciuszko Defends Kranji Mile Crown
Singapore supremo Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) brought up the 20th win of his glittering career when he retained his title in Saturday’s S$1m Kranji Mile (1600m).
Carrazzo Sport of Kings Tax Talk - Back in Sydney!
Paul Carrazzo’s regular horse tax talks in Sydney had been another victim of the Covid era, but thankfully this is soon to end with his “Sport of Kings” talk to be presented at Inglis Riverside on Friday 21 June 2024.
MyRacehorse Celebrate US G1 and Aussie Success
It’s party time! Over 2,500 MyRacehorse owners in the US celebrated over the weekend after winning the second leg of the prestigious American Triple Crown of racing, the $2 million (USD) Group 1 Preakness Stakes, with star three-year-old colt Seize The Grey.
New Trainer for New Zealand
Warren Kennedy has made waves in the New Zealand jockey ranks since moving from his native South Africa, and now his wife, Barbara, is hoping to do the same as a trainer.
Alpine Edge a New Addition for Clear Mountain Fairview
Clear Mountain Fairview’s stallion roster has a dynamic lineup of four stallions for this coming season, showcasing an array of exceptional options for breeders.
Alma Vale Thoroughbreds Colts Trio for MM Weanling Sale
Alma Vale Thoroughbreds produced the highest priced youngster at the recent Inglis Australian Weanling Sale when their I Am Invincible filly from Shoko sold for $575,000 and they head to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale (May 26,27) with another quality draft of three appealing colts.
US Stakes-Winner for Zoustar
Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar has been a powerhouse of winners and stakes-winners this year and has made his presence felt in North America where his talented colt King of Gosford won the $100,500 Listed Desert Code Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Is He Any Good?
Every Saturday around Australia at this time of year there are late season three year-olds breaking their maiden, but when the horse in question is a Godolphin bred son of Lonhro that wins by nine and a half lengths on debut, we always want to know more.
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.
Twenty-Sixth Stakes Winner for Bel Esprit
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.