Ill-fated sire Beneteau is expected to continue to leave his mark when impressive barrier trial winner Voilier makes his debut at Rosehill.

Voilier will be one of the favourites in the Sire Custodians Plate after the scratching of unbeaten filly Aegean Sea, a daughter of Beneteau, from Saturday’s race.

A Blue Diamond Stakes placegetter, Beneteau’s racing career was cut short after he finished midfield in the 2010 Golden Slipper and Champagne Stakes.

But with a blue blood’s pedigree and the backing of one of Australia’s biggest thoroughbred concerns in Arrowfield Stud, Beneteau was given his chance to prove himself as a stallion.

He’s been an instant hit.

Aegean Sea and Maribyrnong Plate winner Prompt Return have given Beneteau the success every new sire needs but each win comes with a sense of lost opportunity.

Beneteau died from a neurological condition soon after his second season at stud and his final crop of foals will go through the yearling sales rings next year.

As it stands, they will go to auction representing one of Australia’s leading first-season stallions.

Beneteau came with a million-dollar price tag when he was bought by Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland at the 2009 Australian Easter yearling sale.

“It’s one thing to get a horse to stud but it’s another thing for their progeny to go out and run so it’s certainly bittersweet,” Blaxland said.

“He is the best-looking yearling I ever bought. Just a beautiful individual and obviously bred in the purple out of a full-sister to (champion mare) Alinghi.”

A Friday morning inspection put the Rosehill track marginally into the heavy range after overnight rain.

Voilier is expected to dispute favouritism with another first starter, the Sam Kavanagh-trained Invincible Dame.

The gelding won his Warwick Farm barrier trial impressively but left trainer Gary Nickson certain he has more to offer despite a five-length winning margin.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au