MAVEN BELLE

A home-grown filly, bred and raised at Te Akau Stud by David Ellis CNZM and Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, Maven Belle was syndicated among Te Akau owners when she was a weanling.

Winning her debut stylishly, beating stablemate and subsequent Group 2 winner Hanalei, Maven Belle made it two wins from two starts when claiming the rescheduled $80,000 Group 3 Platinum Homes 2YO SW Classic over 1200m in February at Te Rapa, ridden by Te Akau stable jockey Opie Bosson.

Two weeks later, Maven Belle again showed her prowess by maintaining her unbeaten record - her third win coming in the $110,000 Group 2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes 2YO SW 1200m in the hands of Ryan Elliot.

Maven Belle is the seventh Group 2 Matamata Breeders' winner for Te Akau.

In early March 2022, Maven Belle was desperately unlucky not to win the $240,000 Group 1 Sistema Stakes 2YO SW 1200m at Ellerslie when she was held up at a vital stage and flew home when she gained clear running only to be beaten a nose and a head.

Out for vengeance, in early April 2022 - and now under the guidance of Te Akau trainer Mark Walker, the daughter of Burgundy took on a classy field, including the winner and runner up of the Sistema as well as good filly Wolverine, in the $245,000 Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes 2YO SW over 1400m.

Jumping from handy barrier draw 1, she shot straight to the lead and was never overhauled despite a game attempt by Wolverine which saw that filly's connections lodge a post race protest.

As a result of the inquiry, placings were upheld and Maven Belle became Te Akau's seventh Manawatu Sires' winner - Mark Walker's third, and Te Akau's fifth in a row.

At the end of a stellar 2YO season, Maven Belle was crowned 2021/22 Champion 2YO of the Season - and unfortunately had to have minor surgery which saw her miss the early part of her 3YO season, including the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas.

Resuming after a nine month lay-off, Maven Belle was back to her stunning best winning a 3YO SW+P 1200m at Counties on 8 January 2023.  It was quite an effort too, after being awkwardly away, she rallied to cruise on by her opposition in the straight for Opie Bosson, showing the class she is made of.

Set for the $130,000 Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy over 1200m on Karaka Million night on 21 January, the Burgundy 3YO drew a wide gate, and was scintillating when breezing on by to snare victory in a close-fought finish - beating the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas' winner in the process.

Maven Belle, who is closely related to dual Group 1 winner Levante, is raced by the Te Akau Maven Belle Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and has raced seven times for six wins and one placing, earning $379,070 to date.