MOODY’S ANGEL

It’s fairly safe to assume that Peter Moody’s other unbeaten Bel Esprit will garner most of the media this week, but let’s not dismiss the performance of 3YO filly, Angels Beach, who made it two from two at Sandown on Wednesday.

Sent out a $1.70 favourite after scoring by 7 lengths on debut at Pakenham back in December, Angels Beach was showing no signs of rust in the Browns Sawdust and Shavings Handicap, racing away to score by one and a half panels.

Hailing from the Zeditave mare, Descendant, Angels Beach (pictured below as a yearling) is a half sister to Group winner Patronyme and was purchased at the 2011 Gold Coast Magic Millions by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock for $220,000.

Very likely to be money well spent!

ELIZA PARK ON SHOW

ELIZA PARK TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE

ELIZA PARK, one of Australia’s leading thoroughbred stud operations, is to be offered for sale.

In making the announcement, Eliza Park CEO, Cameron Croucher, has revealed that the organisation – encompassing six properties in two states, along with shares and standing rights in 14 stallions – will be sold by public tender through bloodstock auction house William Inglis.

An extensive international marketing campaign will be implemented and expressions of interest will be called for before a closing tender date of April 26^th.

The Eliza Park brand is well established and is recognised as one of the leading and most progressive thoroughbred nurseries in the country. The stallion roster is regarded as one of the finest in the nation with 10 stallions standing in Victoria (headed by Black Caviar’s sire and Australia’s leading sire by winners in Bel Esprit and exciting young stallion, Wanted), while in Queensland there are facilities for four stallions, with its current lineup including an Australian Champion First Season Sire in Written Tycoon.

“As a third generation breeder, Eliza Park is the culmination of a life long ambition, although when starting out I never imagined it would grow to what it is now,” Eliza Park’s principal Lee Fleming explained. “It is with somewhat mixed emotions that I’ve made the decision to offer the stud for tender: I’m immensely proud of the Eliza Park’s diversity, its continued growth and its position as one of the nation’s top thoroughbred operations, but this (the proposed sale) has been in the planning for some time. With all the pieces now in place and the stallions going so well, it really is the optimum time to put Eliza Park on the market and represents a tremendous opportunity for investors.

Croucher also points out: “This is an exciting opportunity for a buyer to purchase an established business with a sound bottom line: an organisation that offers every thoroughbred service with highly professional management and staff, stallions and facilities all in place.”

William Inglis concurs: “We are delighted to be offering the Eliza Park property and stallion interests for sale,” said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.

“Eliza Park has been at the forefront of the breeding industry in Victoria for many years and is well placed for future growth with a highly competent team and an excellent portfolio of property and commercial stallions on offer. The Kerrie property has a vast array of breeding and training facilities, providing a potential investor plenty of options: and is an ideal time for an investor to get involved on the way up.”

Interested parties should contact either Jamie Inglis or Mark Webster for a copy of the information memorandum and an inspection.

For further information please contact Cameron Croucher on 0417 293 747.

MAGNUS 3YO ADDS FIZZ

Bubbly effort on debut at Benalla yesterday by Magnus 3YO, Aeratus, who got up in a thriller over 1206m.

Caught three wide and around seventh when turning for home, the Mick Price chestnut really knuckled down and, while the margin was slim, the effect was considerable.

Sold by Eliza Park for $80,000 at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier, this bloke certainly appears to have more wins in store.

Magnus, meanwhile, continues his charge on the 3YO sires’ chart with 21 individual winners for the season.

Aeratus as a yearling

BEL EQUAL 2ND ON 2YO CHART

BEL ESPRIT – VALUE PLUS

With the risk of stating the obvious, Bel Esprit is having a tremendous season.

1. His banner horse, Black Caviar, has clearly lost none of her sparkle with a devastating return in the Lightning Stakes.

2. He has topped the national chart by winners for most of the calendar year with a superior strike rate to that of his peers.

3. His 2YOs, in particular, have been notable with the likes of Clevadude rising to prominence late in 2011, followed by black type performances from Topaque, Diamond Glow and Architect. And they now make way for a potential star in Iconic, winner of the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush on Saturday.

4. If that’s not enough, Loveyamadly became Bel Esprit’s fifth stakes winner for the season and his 16^th overall by taking out the Listed Abell Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night: the second leg of a Valley double for Bel Esprit and his third winner for the day … which he would turn into five winners by Saturday night.

It shouldn’t surprise then that his progeny are gaining currency among the buying bench with a filly selling for $165,000 at the Magic Millions Premier, a colt bringing $250,000 at the New Zealand Premier while, on home turf, he averaged $92k plus with a topper of $280,000 at the Melbourne Premier.

Terrific value for a horse that stood at just $27,500 last spring.

RUSH FOR ICONIC

Breednet profiles the performance of Bel Esprit baby, Iconic, in Bendigo’s Gold Rush.

As a three-quarter brother-in-blood to Black Caviar, this Bel Esprit 2YO was always going to be worth following and at Bendigo on Saturday, Iconic snared a big prize when taking out the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush.

The Tony McEvoy trained youngster prevailed to win by half a head in a thrilling finish to the 1000 metre dash, his overall record now two wins from three starts with prizemoney of $196,900.

Iconic is a homebred for Robert Crabtree and is the fourth winner from four to race from ill-fated Danavia, a three-quarter -sister by Danehill (USA) to Group I winner Magnus, Group II winner Wilander and half-sister to the dam of Black Caviar and All Too Hard.

This fabulous family has been on fire in recent weeks with both All Too Hard and Black Caviar scoring Group I wins in the MRC CF Orr Stakes, Futurity Stakes and VRC Lightning Stakes.

The family is set to light up the Newmarket sale ring in Sydney next month.

Since his entry was confirmed last October there has been plenty of chatter about Lot 131, the half-brother to Black Caviar, while also sure to please is the Redoute’s Choice colt from Scandinavia, the grand dam of Black Caviar. Eliza Park Stud will offer the colt as Lot 319 on behalf of Dorrington Farm.