Belardo (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}–Danaskaya {Ire}, by Danehill), the European champion 2-year-old of 2014 will retire to Darley's Kildangan Stud for the 2017 season. A limited number of lifetime breeding rights will be sold in the 4-year-old who was last seen running the brilliant Tepin (Bernstein) to half a length in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot. The Roger Varian trainee had earlier in the season won for the second time at the top level when beating a strong field in the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury in May. Varian was readying Belardo for another tilt at the G1 QIPCO QEII S. at Ascot on Saturday but a training setback has altered connection's plans for the colt. Sam Bullard, Director of Darley stallions, commented, “Belardo showed true class and grit in winning both the G1 Dewhurst Stakes at two and the G1 Lockinge Stakes at four. As a Champion juvenile and a G1 miler at three and four, he offers breeders speed, class and precocity, as well as being from the outstanding sire line of our own Shamardal as a son of Lope de Vega.” Belardo was bred by Ballylinch Stud who sold him as a yearling in Arqana for €100,000 to Ted Voute on behalf of Prince Faisal. He raced for Prince Faisal throughout his juvenile season when his victory over Kodi Bear (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the G1 Dubai Dewhurst S. was enough to earn him champion 2-year-old honours. Godolphin subsequently bought into the half-brother to Group 3 winner Berling (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and he will retire the highest rated runner to date of his sire Lope De Vega (Ire) (Shamardal). A covering fee for Belardo will be announced at a later date.
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