Season Review: Maven Belle Just Marvellous

It's officially the new season - 2023/24 racing season is upon us ... and we continue our review of a stellar season just completed: a record breaking 203 domestic wins, 33 at Group/Listed level (plus the Group 1 of Imperatriz in Melbourne) and well over $9 million in prize money won for our owners.

Today we reflect on continued Group race glory for the then reigning Champion 2YO Maven Belle, a Burgundy home-bred filly ...

Champion Two-Year-Old Maven Belle (3 f Burgundy – Doyenne, by Kilimanjaro) made it consecutive wins as a three-year-old in the $130,000 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 21 January at Pukekohe.

Having resumed with an emphatic course victory in the 3YO 1200 metres on 8 January, when running fastest last 600m (32.7) on the day, Maven Belle had to overcome a three wide trip but summonsed the resolve to deliver under rider Opie Bosson. 

A filly with size, quality, class, presence, and temperament to match, Maven Belle provided Te Akau with their fourth win in the race over the past six years, following Melody Belle (Commands), Need I Say More (No Nay Never), and Sword of State (Snitzel). 

Bred by the Ellis/Fenton/Ellis/Walker team, Maven Belle is owned by Te Akau Maven Belle Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis).

By five-time stakes' winner Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), purchased as a yearling by Ellis, from stakes placed winner of six to 2000 metres Doyenne (Kilimanjaro), Maven Belle is closely related to triple Group One winner Levante (Proisir).

A smart debut two-year-old winner over subsequent Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m) winning stable-mate Hanalei (Darci Brahma), Maven Belle recorded a stakes victory at her second start in the Platinum Homes 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m), became the seventh Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner for Te Akau, was tops again when finishing third in the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), and made it four wins from five starts in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) before being crowned Champion Two-Year-Old. 

Maven Belle completed the season with six wins and three placings from her nine career starts - she has won $398,070 in prize money too.

Te Akau previously won the Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m):

2022 – Sword of State (Snitzel)

2021 – Need I Say More (No Nay Never) 

2018 – Melody Belle (Commands)