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)


"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...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Trials were at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with five heats won by juveniles and they included some unraced youngsters by champion sires Snitzel and Written Tycoon as well as first season sire Yes Yes Yes.
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.
Te Akau Look to Keep Almanzor Winning Run Going in Adelaide
Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker was busy packing on Thursday morning as he readied himself for a trip to Adelaide to link up with a five-strong arsenal from the team’s Cranbourne base that will contest most of the major events at Morphettville on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday April 25
Here is the full list of 94 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
Best On Breeding
A sensational day of racing at Morphettville on Saturday with seven stakes races highlighted by the $1,000,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Australasian Oaks (2000m) and $1,000,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m).
Super Easy Sold to WA Stud
Hallmark Stud have announced that their resident stallion Super Easy will continue his breeding career across the Tasman following his recent purchase by Lewthwaite Thoroughbreds.
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.
New SW Deep Field - Mr Mojo Risin' Wins Listed Anzac Mile
Cambridge raider Mr Mojo Risin’ capitalised on a dream rails run to capture his first stakes victory when he claimed the Listed TAB Anzac Mile (1600m) at Otaki.
Woodside Park Stud 2024 Fees Announced - Hypo Matings for All Stallions
Woodside Park Stud have confirmed fees on their six strong roster for this spring headed by new addition Benbatl (GB), a triple Group I winning sin of Dubawi, who won the Group I MRC Caulfield Stakes in 2018 and chased Winx home for second in the Cox Plate.