BEL ESPRIT FEE 'HERALDS' GREAT VALUE

The Herald Sun's Tim Habel was obviously impressed with Bel Esprit's fee drop ...

Victoria's leading sire Bel Esprit's stud fee has been slashed by 50 per cent in a concession to the troubled economic climate faced by breeders.

Bel Esprit's fee will fall from $33,000 to $16,500, despite a stellar season where he has sired 61 winners, his first Group 1 winner Bel Mer and last Saturday's exciting Flemington debut winner Black Caviar.

Eliza Park's Mark Lindsay yesterday described Bel Esprit as the best-value sire in Australia.

"He's the fairest-priced stallion in Australia," Lindsay said. "I challenge any breeder to say he doesn't represent value.

"He's a $30,000 quality stallion, but due to the economic climate we are reducing his fee."