Season of Success: Belle Boom - G1 Sydney

Belle Cheval (Savabeel – Keepa Cheval, by Keeper) crowned an outstanding three-year-old season with victory in the A$750,000 Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on 28 March.

Just three weeks earlier, Belle Cheval had endured the heartbreak of a very narrow short-head defeat in the $4 million NZB Kiwi after producing a barnstorming finish at Ellerslie. That courageous performance followed an exceptional campaign which had already yielded victories in the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) and Group 3 Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m), along with a gallant third in the Group 1New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).

The Group 1 at Rosehill in Sydney provided the perfect stage to earn the elite-level success her performances throughout the season had warranted.

Partnered by leading Sydney jockey Zac Lloyd, fresh from his Golden Slipper success aboard Guest House just a week earlier, Belle Cheval enjoyed the run of the race. Travelling sweetly behind the leaders, she angled into clear running early in the home straight and, despite wandering slightly under pressure, showed tremendous determination to prevail by a nose.

"It was very good to tick the 2000-metre box with her, which opens up plenty of options," Lloyd said.

"She's a very good filly and a massive thanks to Mark Walker and her owners for letting me ride her."

The victory continued the recent dominance of New Zealand-trained fillies in the Vinery Stud Stakes, with Belle Cheval becoming the third Kiwi-trained winner in the past four years.

It also marked Te Akau's 14th Australian Group One victory since Gingernuts won the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in 2017.

On a Soft7 track, Belle Cheval covered the 2000 metres in 2:05.9, with her final 600 metres in 35.5 seconds. She returned $3.40 and $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote.

"It was a terrific win by Belle Cheval and a real credit to our teams in both New Zealand and Melbourne," co-trainer Mark Walker said.

"Everyone has worked incredibly hard throughout the season, and to win Group One races in both Sydney and New Zealand on the same day was a fantastic result for the entire operation and all the owners who support us."

A beautifully bred daughter of 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), Belle Cheval was bred by Archer Investments for owners D L Archer, S C Archer, N N Micarone and D J Wright.

"We also have to thank David Archer and Diane Wright for entrusting us with such a beautifully bred filly," Walker added.

Belle Cheval is out of race-winning mare Keepa Cheval, whose progeny includes triple Group One winner Bostonian (Jimmy Choux) and Group 3 Championship Stakes (2100m) winner Cheval D'Or (Almanzor), among her eight individual winners, who have now combined for 26 victories.

Another daughter, Vitesse (Makfi), is the dam of Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner Kovalica (Ocean Park), who has also won two Group Two races and a Group Three event.

The family is further strengthened by second dam Sheila Cheval (Mi Preferido), whose greatest achievement was producing the outstanding Mufhasa (Pentire), winner of 10 Group One races and dual New Zealand Horse of the Year.

Following an exceptional three-year-old campaign, Belle Cheval remains in training at Te Akau's Melbourne stable and trialled well this past week as preparations begin for what promises to be an exciting Spring.