It is with great sadness that Pencarrow Stud announces the loss of one of their great broodmares, 30-year-old Kirin Belle (NZ).

By New Zealand sire McGinty (NZ), Kirin Belle was out of one of Pencarrow’s foundation broodmares in Heidi Belle (NZ).

From the great Belle family, Kirin Belle was bred by Sir Peter Vela and raced in the famous blue and white hoops.

Her legacy at stud has seen her produce a lineage of star performers and producers. Kirin Belle herself currently has an incredible 12 blacktype performers descended directly from her.

Kirin Belle was the dam of 10 runners from 13 foals, including six winners, two of those who won at Group level.

Kirin Belle’s direct descendants are continuing to deliver winners each season for Pencarrow.

Her most notable progeny are Winning Belle (NZ) (Zabeel), who went on to win the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m), Group Three STC Canterbury Cup (1900m) and Listed AJC Breeders Classic (1200m). At stud, Winning Belle went on to produce 11 foals, including eight runners, five winners and one stakes winner.

Kirin Belle was also dam of outstanding race mare Our Ella Belle (NZ), who is the daughter of champion broodmare sire Encosta de Lago. Our Ella Belle's last foal to be offered for sale was her Exceed and Excel yearling colt (named Equinox) bought for $750,000 by David Ellis at Karaka 2018.

Since her retirement, Kirin Belle lived out her days on the home farm at Pencarrow. She was a vigilant paddock mate for Pencarrow-bred horses and has fostered a foal every year for the last nine years up until her death.

She will be sorely missed by all who were involved throughout her elaborate career.

We will continue to see her legacy passed down through Pencarrow’s famous bloodlines into the next generation of star performers.