BEL HALF WINS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Breednet’s Tara Madgwick reports Australian bred filly Essenelles broke through to score her first win at Turffontein in South Africa on Saturday, the win of some interest as she is a half-sister to leading sire Bel Esprit.

Trained by Lucky Houdalakis, Essenelles took the 1200m maiden by half a length. A $250,000 Magic Millions purchase for World Wide Bloodstock from the Coolmore draft, Essenelles is a half-brother to dual Group I winner Bel Esprit (below), who is of course known as the sire of champion sprinter Black Caviar.
 
She is the eighth winner for Vain mare Bespoken, a half-sister to Group I VATC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Mahaasin.

 Bespoken died in 2009 at age 19 after the birth of Essenelles, who is her last foal.