Written by Keely Mckitterick
Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
On Wednesday at Randwick-Kensington, a blue-blooded filly - Ballet D’Esprit, a daughter of I Am Invincible, added considerable value to her already glowing prospects as a future broodmare when she won at start two.
Ballet D’Esprit is trained by the Randwick-based trainer Michael Freedman and is owned by Belinda Bateman. The November-born 3-year-old filly was placed on debut at Wyong earlier in January, but despite being green, was too good for her rivals on Wednesday to record her first career victory.
It wasn’t an easy watch for backers of the filly ridden by Keagan Latham. Ballet D’Esprit found the front in the 1000-metre contest but overraced.
Sprinting to the line, Ballet D’Esprit bounded across the turf, throwing her head around and causing a little bit of trouble for Latham, who ultimately managed to keep calm and correct the filly as she put 2l on the $550,000 colt Call Me Gorgeous (Deep Field), while Amoreaux (I Am Invincible) was a further 3.3l away in third.
Speaking to Sky Racing after the victory Latham described the filly as ‘tricky but talented.’
“I’ve always liked this filly (Ballet D’Esprit). I think her biggest battle is upstairs. She’s always been a bit difficult, but she’s always shown ability at home,” Latham said.
Keagan Latham aboard Ballet D'Esprit | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“She’s always promised she’s got a future. I think we saw that here today (Wednesday). Ballet D’Esprit made her debut at Wyong, which was forgivable; Wyong is a tricky track and she got pushed wide around the bend and lost an immense amount of ground, so she was unlucky.
“Today, she showed she’s definitely matured a little bit from that experience. Her biggest battle is still her head, but she made great steps. She jumped from the barriers and showed speed. We got a couple of easy sectionals, and she went on to record.
“She’s (Ballet D'Esprit) always promised she’s got a future. Her biggest battle is still her head, but she made great steps.” - Keagan Latham
“Hopefully she continues to accept racing and she’s got a big future.”
Big star relations
Ballet D’Esprit is the ninth foal from the noted producer Ballet D’Amour (USA). The daughter of Stravinsky (USA) has produced seven winners from eight to race led by the brilliant Russian Revolution.
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, the son of Snitzel, won twice at the elite level in the G1 The Galaxy and the G1 Oakleigh Plate. Russian Revolution also recorded victories in the G2 Roman Consul S., the G2 Ian McEwen S. and the G3 Vain S.
He retired as a winner of seven races to Henry Field’s Newgate Farm, where he has sired nine stakes winners and a Group 1 winner in Communist.
Russian Revolution | Standing at Newgate Farm
Ballet D’Amour is also the dam of the G3 Tressady S. victress Turbo Miss (Sebring). Ballet D’Amour sadly passed away last October but left behind a colt by Snitzel, Everybody Rise, and an unraced filly by Yarraman Park’s Champion Sire, I Am Invincible.
While her daughter, Turbo Miss, foaled a colt by Capitalist and was served by another Golden Slipper victor in Stay Inside.
Not only does Ballet D’Esprit have both Russian Revolution and Turbo Miss prominently in her pedigree, but there’s also Coolmore Stud’s exciting Home Affairs.
Home Affairs | Standing at Coolmore
The Chris Waller-trained son of I Am Invincible was crowned the Champion 3-Year-Old Colt in Australia, retiring with wins in the G1 Lightning S. and the G1 Coolmore Stud S. In addition, Home Affairs added the G2 Silver Slipper S. and the Listed Heritage S. to his impressive CV.
His half-brother, Aysar, adds further black type to this impressive page. A victor of the Listed Chautauqua S., Aysar ran third in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and the G3 Carbine Club S. before retirement.
