The Bell Racing Stable and renowned Filipino horse trainer Donato Sordan, went on a real winning spree in last week’s racing, winning seven of the thirty-five races contested.
The duos winning ways began with Mendel Bell (Mendelssohn USA), winning the very first race run on the Padre Garcia circuit, in taking out the 3Y0 and Above Maiden Race over 1200 meters, under jockey R D Raquel Jr. Three races later Jema Bell (He’s Had Enough USA), gave jockey Chris Garganta an easy ride when the three-year-old grey colt took out Class 5 over 1200 meters. Later in the last of the night Upscale Bell (Sakima USA), was never out of second gear in the run, in taking out the Class 5 over 1200 meters for John A Guce.
The stable on Friday night produced a future cups horse in Reverse Merger, a lovely looking son of Into Mischief (USA) ridden by J B Hernandez, who simply demolished his rivals in the Class 3 over 1200 meters. The 3YO USA import was having his first start in the Philippines, and is out of the Awesome Again (Can) mare Sweet Sting (USA). He was a winner of two races from seven starts in the USA, one at Churchill Downs over a mile, and another at Fairgrounds Park over eight and a half furlongs.
The Philippine racing week commences on a Tuesday, and, as if the week wasn’t already good enough for Bell Racing and Donato Sordan, Sunday exceeded even their wildest expectations. It started with their debut runner Isa Bell, who was a runaway winner in the Marho 2YO Juvenile Fillies Race over 1400 meters, with Jonathan Hernandez in the saddle. Isa Bell is the first foal of the former top galloper Union Bell (Union Rags USA), from the USA mare Dr Fager’s Girl. The grey filly has a beautiful fluent running style reminiscent of her outstanding grey sire.
Isa Bell’s half-sister by He’s Had Enough (USA) Midnight Bell, gave the stable win number six for the week in the Marho 3YO Fillies Mile, again with Jonathan Hernandez on top. However, without doubt the win of the day was by Bea Bell, in the 30th Marho Breeders Classic over 2000 meters, giving Bell Racing and Donato Sordan seven for the week, and J B Hernandez three for the day.
The win was a real triumph for Donato Sordan, who pulled off a training masterpiece with the daughter of He’s Had Enough, who is a resident stallion at Bell Racing Farm. The grey mare is out of the Argentinian mare Tocqueville. Bea Bell, had emerged as something special last year, after winning the second leg of the Triple Crown over 1800 meters at Malvar, before being beaten an eyelash by Ghost in the first leg of the Crown. A severe tendon injury that threatened her racing career, saw her sent to the spelling paddocks of Bell Racing Farm for a long convalescence period.
Sunday’s victory was her first run since December last year, with just a single trial over 1200 meters back in October, her first serious appearance back. The four-year-old has come back bigger and stronger and looked a picture of good health in the parade ring, a testament to Sordan’s horsemanship. Sordan has been in the top bracket of Filipino trainers for more than a decade. with among his best horses being Phenomenal and the great galloper Bugle Notes, who was also raced by Bell Racing.
The Breeders Classic Mile also carried prize money of P3,000,000 (A78,000) with added bonus of a magnificent winning trophy, crafted by renowned Filipino sculptor Daniel dela Cruz valued at P500,000 (A$13,000).
The Philippine Jockey Club race again on the 26 – 28 – 29 and 30th of November, with the 2025 Philracom 3rd Leg of the Juvenile Stakes Series being the feature over 1400 meters.