Bel Esprit is on track to be crowned Victoria's leading sire for the seventh
year in a row and this season he's done it with no help from his superstar
daughter Black Caviar.When a sire throws a horse such as Black Caviar it tends to overshadow all else and in the case of Bel Esprit, there are quite literally hundreds of other winners following in her wake.
Last year Bel Esprit took out the national title for individual winners, equalling the all-time Australian record of 155 winners set by Commands.
That mark has been surpassed by Lonhro this year, but there is every likelihood Bel Esprit will also eclipse his previous personal best as he has 153 winners on the board and a week of the season to run.
A brilliant early maturing two year-old that won the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes before training on at three to win the Group I BRC Doomben 10,000, Bel Esprit was tough, sound and lightning fast, qualities that have been transmitted to his offspring in spades.
By world renowned shuttle sire Royal Academy (USA) from a daughter of Golden Slipper winner Vain, Bel Esprit is completely free of Danzig blood and has proven a great foil for a wide spectrum of mares.
Black Caviar aside, Bel Esprit is the sire of 450 plus winners worldwide with
progeny earnings topping $40 million.His 19 stakes-winners are headed by Group I stars Black Caviar, Bel Sprinter and Bel Mer backed up by a raft of speedy sprinter milers that have raked in vast amounts of lucrative VOBIS bonuses over the years for their delighted owners.
Bel Esprit has had a fee reduction this year at Eliza Park International and will stand at $24,200, but in reality there has probably never been a better time to go to him.
Black Caviar announced herself as a superstar in the spring of 2010 and from that point Bel Esprit covered some outstanding mares including her dam Helsinge, who visited him in 2011.
Black Caviar's full sister, who turns two on August 1 may well lead the next wave of success for Bel Esprit, who has the quality and numbers that should see him reign as number one in Victoria for many years to come.
Bel Esprit may well become Victoria's most successful stallion ever if he can knock off the record of former star sires Better Boy (IRE) (Range View Stud) and Helios (GB) (Warlaby Stud), who won nine titles each.
In the sale ring, Bel Esprit consistently offers a good return with five yearlings averaging $110,000 at Magic Millions on the Gold Coast this year, while at Inglis Premier they sold for up to $140,000.
While unproven sires may take the fancy for a season or two before ultimately proving disappointing, Bel Esprit continues to deliver and for the broodmare owner seeking a low risk option at an affordable fee he's impossible to go past.
For more information on Bel Esprit, click here.
