A bargain purchase from Doncaster Bloodstock Sales proved to be worth her weight in gold yesterday when BELLE ROYALE (Val Royal) won the Gr.1 Gamely Stakes at Hollywood Park USA comfortably by half a length from the Oasis Dream sired QUIET OASIS.
The filly, previously a handicapper in the UK while in training with Mark Brisbourne, has only raced twice in the USA. Her first outing saw her win the Listed American Beauty Stakes at Santa Anita and her extraordinary turn of foot made her step up to Gr.1 company an easy one.
BELLE ROYALE is the eleventh Group winner for VAL ROYAL (Royal Academy) who unfortunately died aged only twelve. In addition to BELLE ROYALE he has produced SLIM SHADEY, winner of the Gr.2 San Marcos Stakes in the USA and was fourth behind super horse FRANKEL in the 2011 QUIPCO 2000 Guineas; Gr.2 winner VALBENNY and of course National Stud stallion and dual classic winner COCKNEY REBEL.
The VAL ROYAL sire line is now bearing fruit and with COCKNEY REBEL’S runners showing stronger and stronger promise on the race track, he looks to be a sound breeding investment for mare owners wishing to tap in to this sire line.
BELLE ROYALE is out of Kahyasi Moll (Brief Truce), is owned by Michael Tabor, bred by DXB Bloodstock and is trained by Simon Callaghan. A steal at the October Doncaster Bloodstock Sales in 2009; the filly was consigned by Houghton Bloodstock and was purchased by her English trainer Mark Brisbourne for just £800.
Rachael Gowland
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