BELLATRIX STAR

Bellatrix Star won on debut in September 2023 - taking out the very first 2YO race of the season at Wanganui, a race won previously by Te Akau with horses such as Cool Aza Beel, a subsequent Karaka 2YO Million and Group 1 winner who went on to be named Champion 2YO of his season - and now stands at stud at Newhaven Park in New South Wales.

At the end of November 2023 she recorded black type at just her third start, when finishing runner up in the $110,000 Listed Counties Challenge Stakes 2YO SW over 1100m when ridden by Matthew Cameron.

The daughter of Star Witness turned the tables on her previous victor when claiming the $225,000 Group 2 SkyCity Eclipse Stakes 2YO SW 1200m at Pukekohe on Boxing Day 2023 with Warren Kennedy aboard - in a stable quinella with Move To Strike. It was a day Kennedy won seven winners on the premium programme and the win shot her up the Order of Entry for the Karaka Million, assuring her of a start.

Finishing 4th in the Karaka 2YO Million in January 2024, Bellatrix Star was then sidelined with injury. Resuming in August 2024, she relocated immediately to Te Akau's Melbourne stable and was an unlucky fifth first up in the A$200,000 Group 3 Quezette Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield, Melbourne with former Te Akau apprentice Michael Dee aboard.

The gutsy 3YO filly was then presented with the opportunity to atone in the A$175,000 Listed Cap D'Antibes Stakes SW+P over 1100m for 3YO fillies on 14 September 2024, again with Dee in the saddle.  Taking no prisoners, in a calculated ride, the poked through a gap in the final stages, showing a scintillating turn of foot to claim victory - the second stakes' win of her short career.

To show her Australian combatants she was a force to be reckoned with, the filly again paired up with Michael Dee at Moonee Valley on 27 September 2024 in the A$200,000 Group 3 Ladbroke's Scarborough Stakes for 3YO fillies over 1200m. She flew home to win impressively, dismissing the pockets of thought she was a 'wet tracker'!

Taking on the older horses in October 2024 at Caulfield, Bellatrix Star become the first 3YO in 21 years to win the A$300,000 Group 2 Schillaci Stakes WFA 1100m.  As a 3YO she was beautifully weighted with just 51kgs against her older combatants, and Craig Williams rode her perfectly - showing again what an exciting, emerging force to be reckoned with she has become when winning by .5 lengths.

The daughter of Star Witness has now taken her Australian stakes' win tally to three from her last three appearances.

Bellatrix Star was purchased by David Ellis CNZM/Fortuna Racing for $80,000 at the Karaka Yearling Sale Book 1.  Raced by the Fortuna Bellatrix Star Syndicate (Mgr: J Galvin), she has raced nine times for five wins and four placings, with stakes of approx. $685,365 to date.