He was shot at, survived but proved a true champion in NZ and Australia

Beau Vite was a New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred Stallion, who developed into a grand stayer, performing in New Zealand and Australia and raced from a two-year-old to a five-year-old on wet or dry tracks, recording 31 wins from 5 furlongs to 2¼ miles. Beau Pere (GB) sire of Beau Vite was a highly successful sire in three of four countries standing at stud. Beau Vite was bred by Mr J.Curran from Shannon, New Zealand. Dam, Dominant (NZ) was purchased by Mr C.R. Bidwell for 200 guineas and raced by Mr J.A Taylor for 3 seasons winning only a trial hack race at Napier, New Zealand.

Beau Vite was a standout champion in an era of exceptional racehorses. A fiery racing temperament built an enviable record before he earned more kudos in the stallion paddock. Born in 1936 the son of Beau Pare was bought at the Trentham yearling sales by businessman, Ralph Stewart for 900 Guineas. He was sent to the dominant trainer of the pre-war years, Tommy George. The future hall of famer quickly realised Beau Vite was a one-man horse, and he would only be handled by foreman, Joe Bromby. Beau Vite was a slow starter, unplaced in his first four runs, one of those, to his half-brother Beau le Havre and they would contest fierce battles in many of the features in the following years. His talent became apparent towards the end of Beau Vite's two-year-old season, with three wins on home turf at Trentham. The war clouds were gathering as Beau Vite followed a line of potential champions to Australia. Beau Vite's second start across the Tasman produced a surprising result with his performance in the Canterbury Stakes, showing that he could sprint and stay. No other notable successes on that trip saw Beau Vite return home, but from there the horse carved his own niche in the record books. Beau Vite dominated the remaining New Zealand summer classics, winning or finishing runner-up in 10 races - six wins in a row included the St Leger, Great Northern Derby and the Awapuni Gold Cup.

Beau Vite returned to Australia as a vastly improved four-year-old in the spring of 1940 and went to the stables of renowned trainer, Frank McGrath, but still under the watchful eye of Joe Bromby. Beau Vite established himself as the finest galloper in the country with another six wins in a row, including the Metropolitan, Cox Plate and the McKinnon Stakes, making him the hot favourite to win the Melbourne Cup. That popularity made him a target for criminals much like Phar Lap. Holes were drilled through the stable walls during a thunderstorm and a horse was shot twice. The bullets were meant for Beau Vite but they hit El Golea as both horses looked similar. Death threats were made against the jockey and the police mounted an around-the-clock guard. In the end Beau Vite ran a close up fourth in the Cup. The attackers were never found and the horse was immediately sent home to New Zealand. He ran in two races and won both - the Auckland Cup and the Clifford Plate. Beau Vite returned to Australia where Frank McGrath convinced Joe Stewart to spell the horse.

Beau Vite's 4yo mission were the Victorian Cups double with the preparations resulting in one of his most memorable victories in the Craven Plate. The race record stood for 19 years before it was surpassed by another champion, Tulloch. Another Cox Plate and McKinnon Stakes double set high expectations for the Melbourne Cup, but the huge weight of 9st 10lbs was too much for the champion, finishing 3rd. Beau Vite was spelled before another Autumn campaign, however world events intervened. Japan attacked Pearl Harbour and racing was subjected to more restrictions. Randwick Racecourse was required to billet American servicemen. Beau Vite had only three more starts before injury forced his retirement. He was a successful sire but he will be remembered as a brilliant racehorse who won more then half his races against champions on both sides of the Tasman. He defeated rival champions Ajax, High Caste, Tranquil Star and Beaulivre throughout career and in 1942 was retired to St Aubins stud Scone.

Owner Ralph Stewart was born in Queensland. A soldier in the Boer war he established himself in the hotel business New Zealand and on his retirement entered the horse racing industry. Trainer Frank McGrath senior (1866-1947) was a former jockey who progressed from training ponies at Canterbury to master trainer of multiple classic winners in the champions Peter Pan, Amounis and Prince Foote from Randwick Racecourse, where his stables were located at Doncaster Ave, Kensington.

Record - 60: 31-9-5

Earnings - £26,680

Canterbury Stakes (1939)

Metropolitan Handicap (1940)

Hill Stakes (1940)

Great Northern Derby (1940)

Auckland Cup (1940)

Awapuni Gold Cup (1940)

Clifford Plate (1940,1941)

Colin Stephen Stakes (1940,1941)

Craven Plate (1940,1941)

W. S. Cox Plate (1940,1941)

LKS Mackinnon Stakes (1940,1941)

Rawson Stakes (1941)

AJC Plate (1941)

Chelmsford Stakes (1941)

AJC Autumn Plate (1941,1942)