Despite it being a chilly, grey morning the weather could not dampen our high spirits as we welcomed our champion Bela-Bela home to Varsfontein.
Bela-Bela won a total of 7 races in the colours of Varsfontein Stud, these included the Gr 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, Gr 1 Woolavington, Gr 1 Paddock Stakes and more recently the Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes. Last year she was awarded the title of champion 3 year old filly. We wait in anticipation to see what awards she will scoop up for the 2016/2017 season.
Bred by Cheveley Stud, Bela-Bela was purchased by Varsfontein at the BSA National 2yo Sale for R1,4 million. She came straight back to Varsfontein post sale and became affectionately know as “The Pink filly” due to her strawberry roan colouring. Bela-Bela was given plenty of time to mature and was only sent to pre-training in the month of January of her two year old season. From there she went to the Snaith yard and it wasn’t long before Varsfontein was informed that we had a special filly on our hands.
By Dynasty (Fort Wood), Bela-Bela hails from an outstanding winning female line. She is out of the prolific stakes producing mare Mystic Spring (Royal Academy) who has produced 10 winners from 10 runners of which 6 are stakes winners: Rabiya, Secret Of Victoria, Spring Lilac, Rafiya, Touch The Sky and of course Bela-Bela. Touch The Sky (also owned by Varsfontein) is already proving her stature by producing an exceptionally classy first foal last year, a Captain Al filly. Another Varsfontein owned member of this family is a daughter of Spring Lilac, Victorian Secret. Her first foal, a Var colt, will be going to the National Two Year Old Sale later this month. To have three females from this outstanding family adds immeasurable value to our broodmare band. Bela-Bela will kick off her first season by visiting Gimmethegreenlight. A fitting match considering his very successful start as a young stallion.
Bela-Bela’s groom, Mululeki, travelled with her down from Durban. He was only too happy to bring her all the way to her paddock and see her off as she embarks on her new career at stud. Bela gave us a great show of both her athleticism and high class as she pranced around the paddock, her every movement incredibly light and in perfect cadence. We could only marvel at the beautiful specimen that she is, perfectly matched to the grey wintry sky that welcomed her home.
Mululeki walks Bela-Bela off the truck
Susan fondly welcomes her champion home
Susan and Mululeki with Bela in her paddock
Bela stretches her legs after the long journey from Durban
Whats hiding behind that fence?
Miss Show-Off
