Vale, Bel Esprit

Sad news from Widden Stud in Victoria with the passing of much-loved veteran 26 year-old sire Bel Esprit, who has succumbed to the effects of old age after a long and fruitful stud career following his brilliant exploits on the racetrack.

The dominant Victorian juvenile in the autumn of 2002, the John Symons trained Bel Esprit stormed through the Blue Diamond lead up races undefeated to start a hot favourite in the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes.

Given a bold ride by Wayne Treloar, he led for home by two and kicked right away before holding off a late challenge from the filly Brief Embrace.

“With the Blue Diamond to be run this Saturday, it brings back those memories of Bel Esprit and what a fantastic two year-old he was,” said Widden Victoria’s Adam Henry.

By outstanding shuttle sire Royal Academy (USA), Bel Esprit trained on to win the Group I BRC Doomben 10,000 and retired to Eliza Park in Victoria in 2003.

He was hugely popular with breeders and covered over 2400 mares in his 19 seasons at stud, the majority of them (barring three seasons in Queensland) at the Kerrie based Eliza Park, which later became Sun Stud and is now Widden Victoria.

Bel Esprit achieved immortality in siring the world’s best sprinter Black Caviar, who was one of his 28 stakes-winners.

He sired the winners of over $90million in prizemoney and sired the dams of 24 stakes-winners that include current leading young sire Ole Kirk, who is from a full sister to his champion Black Caviar.

Bel Esprit was retired from active stud duty at the start of 2022 and had been enjoying the golden years on the farm that has been his home for over 20 years.

“Bel Esprit has left a real legacy that will extend well beyond his passing and it has been a privilege to have him in our care,” said Adam Henry.

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