Belardo

Last updated
Belardo
Owner Prince A A Faisal.svg Owner Godolphin.svg
Racing silks of
Prince A A Faisal and Godolphin
Sire Lope de Vega
DamDanaskaya
Sex Colt
Foaled2 April 2012 [1]
CountryIreland
Colour Bay
BreederBallylinch Stud
OwnerPrince A. A. Faisal
Godolphin
Trainer Roger Varian
Record16: 5-2-1
Earnings£899,642
Major wins
Washington Singer Stakes (2014)
Dewhurst Stakes (2014)
Doncaster Mile Stakes (2016)
Lockinge Stakes (2016)
Awards
Top-rated European two-year-old (2014)
Last updated on 14 May 2016

Belardo (foaled 2 April 2012) is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. A son of Lope de Vega, he is owned in partnership by Prince A. A. Faisal and Godolphin Racing and trained in Nemarket by Roger Varian. In 2014 he won two of his first four races, including the Washington Singer Stakes, before recording an upset victory in the Dewhurst Stakes. He was rated the best two-year-old to race in Europe that year. He failed to win as a three-year-old in 2015 but returned to winning form on his first start of 2016 with victory in the Listed Doncaster Mile Stakes and went on to take the Lockinge Stakes.

Contents

Background

Belardo is a bay horse with a white blaze bred in Ireland by the County Kilkenny-based Ballylinch Stud. He is from the first crop of foals sired by the Prix du Jockey Club winner Lope de Vega: other foals from Lope de Vega's first crop included the winners of the Gran Criterium, Sirenia Stakes and Cornwallis Stakes. [2] Belardo's dam Danakaya won only one minor race but was placed in both the Lowther Stakes and the Cheveley Park Stakes. [3] As a descendant of the outstanding racemare Midget, she was distantly related to the 1000 Guineas winner Ma Biche. [4]

In August 2013, the yearling was sent to the Arqana Sale at Deauville where he was bought for €100,000 by Voute Sales Ltd [5] on behalf of the Saudi Prince A. A. Faisal. He was sent into training with Roger Varian at the Kremiln House stable at Newmarket, Suffolk. [6]

Racing career

2014: two-year-old season

In his first season, Belardo was ridden in all of his races by Andrea Atzeni who said at the end of the year "I've always liked him. When I first sat on him I said to Roger that he was one of the best two-year-olds I have ever sat on. When I sat on Kingston Hill, he never gave me this sort of feel." [7]

The colt made his racecourse debut at Great Yarmouth Racecourse on 26 June when he started 8/13 favourite for a maiden race over six furlongs. He raced close behind the leaders before moving forward to take the advantage inside the final furlong and went clear in the closing stages to win "readily" by two and a quarter lengths from Heartbreak Hero and six others. [8] Two weeks leader, the colt was moved up sharply in class to contest the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse. Starting the 5/1 second favorite in a field of twelve, he was close behind the leaders for most of the way but was unable to make progress in the final furlong and finished fourth behind Ivawood, Jungle Cat and Muhaarar. Belardo was dropped back to Listed class for the Washington Singer Stakes over seven furlongs at Newbury Racecourse on 16 August. Racing on softer ground, he started 5/4 favourite and won by three and three quarter lengths from Hawkesbury, after accelerating clear of his opponents in the final furlong. [9]

On 13 September at Doncaster Racecourse, Belardo contested the Group Two Champagne Stakes over seven furlongs on good ground and started 3/1 second favourite behind Estidhkaar, a Richard Hannon Jr.-trained colt who had won the Superlative Stakes. He raced in second place but failed to quicken in the closing stages and finished fourth behind Estidhkaar, War Envoy and Aces. Varian later said "He was too fresh... He raced too keen. He raced free for three furlongs and then it turned into a sprint... Andrea was very disappointed". [10] On his final appearance of the season the colt was one of six colts to contest Britain's most prestigious race for two-year-olds, the seven-furlong Dewhurst Stakes, run on soft ground at Newmarket on 17 October. Wearing a hood for the first time he was the 10/1 outsider of the field behind Estidhkaar, Smugglers Cove (Star Appeal Stakes), Maftool (Somerville Tattersall Stakes), Kodi Bear (Winfield Stakes) and Secret Brief (Tattersalls Millions 2-y-o Trophy). Atzeni restrained the colt at the rear of the field as Secret Brief made the running from Kodi Bear. When he moved forward in the final quarter mile he looked unlikely to obtain a clear run, but was then switched right and overtook Kodi Bear a furlong out. Belardo accelerated clear in the closing stages and won by two lengths from Kodi Bear with Smugglers Cove taking third ahead of Estidhkaar. [11] After the race, Varian said "This horse will have confidence going into the winter now. We will now have to dream about the 2000 Guineas. It's a lovely way to end the season... I don't think soft ground is essential but he obviously handles it and he has a very sharp turn of foot, which he showed. He had to be brave and had to squeeze through a gap as well." [7]

Less than two weeks later, Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Racing bought a majority share in Belardo. Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock advisor John Ferguson called him "a lovely horse, full of quality". [6]

2015: three-year-old season

On 18 April, Belardo made his first appearance as a three-year-old in the Greenham Stakes over seven furlongs on fast ground at Newbury. Ridden by James Doyle he started the 7/1 third choice in the betting but never looked likely to win and finished eighth of the nine runners behind Muhaarar. On softer ground in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh Racecourse on 23 May the colt produced a much better effort to finish fourth of the eleven runners behind Gleneagles, beaten less than two lengths by the winner. In this he was re-equipped with the hood which he had not worn at Newbury. His next three runs were disappointing as he finished unplaced in the Sussex Stakes, the Prix Jacques Le Marois and the Haydock Sprint Cup. He was dropped to Group Two class for the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on 7 October and finished third, beaten a neck and half a length by Cable Bay and Breton Rock. Ten days later he started a 33/1 outsider for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. Ridden by Doyle, he produced his best performance of the season, coming from well off the pace to take second place, three quarters of a length behind Solow, with Gleneagles, Kodi Bear, Integral and Elm Park among the beaten horses. Varian commented "I'm delighted the horse has reminded us what a talent he was this time last year. He has turned up and put up a high-level performance again. The horse has made a case for staying in training.". [12]

2016: four-year-old season

Belardo began his third season with a win in the Listed Doncaster Mile on 2 April but then finished only fourth behind Toormore when favourite for the Bet365 Mile at Sandown on 22 April. On 14 May Belardo was one of twelve horses to contest the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury Racecourse in which his opponents included Toormore, Euro Charline (Beverly D. Stakes), Limato (Park Stakes), Kodi Bear (Celebration Mile), Dutch Connection (Jersey Stakes) and Gabrial (Lincoln Handicap). Starting at odds of 8/1 he produced a strong late run up the centre of the course to win by a length from Euro Charline with the Irish challenger Endless Drama a neck away in third.

At Royal Ascot Belardo started 9/2 joint-favourite for the Queen Anne Stakes. He proved the best of the European-trained runners but was beaten half a length into second place by the American mare Tepin. He did not race again and was retired at the end of the year.

Assessment and honours

In the International Classification for 2014, Belardo was rated the best two-year-old to have raced in Europe that season with a rating of 119, one pound ahead of the Middle Park Stakes winner Charming Thought and two ahead of the Racing Post Trophy winner Elm Park and the leading fillies Tiggy Wiggy and Found. The Cartier Award winner Gleneagles was a further pound back on 116. [13]

Stud record

Belardo began his career as a breeding stallion at the Kildangan Stud. In his first season he sired the Group race winners Isabella Giles (Rockfel Stakes), Elysium (Weld Park Stakes) and Lullaby Moon (Prix Miesque). [14]

In the 2022 season Belardo stood at Haunui Farm in New Zealand. [15] [16]

Notable progeny

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

FoaledNameSexMajor Wins
2018Gold Phoenixg Frank E. Kilroe Mile

Pedigree

Pedigree of Belardo (IRE), bay colt, 2012 [1]
Sire
Lope de Vega (IRE)
2007
Shamardal (USA)
2002
Giant's Causeway Storm Cat
Mariah's Storm
Helsinki Machiavellian
Helen Street
Lady Vettori (GB)
1997
VettoriMachiavellian
Air Distingue
Lady Golconda Kendor
Lady Sharp
Dam
Danaskaya (IRE)
2000
Danehill (USA)
1986
Danzig Northern Dancer
Pas de Nom
Razyana His Majesty
Spring Adieu
Majinskaya (FR)
1994
Marignon Blushing Groom
Madelia
Makarova Nijinsky
Midou (Family: 1-u) [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dawn Approach</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Dawn Approach is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. In a racing career which began in March 2012 the colt has won all seven of his races including the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, the National Stakes at the Curragh and the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. He ended the 2012 European season as the year's most highly rated two-year-old colt and was regarded as a leading contender for the 2013 classics. As a three-year-old, Dawn Approach won the classic 2000 Guineas on his first appearance, going on to win the St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Bakharoff was an American-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the highest-rated European two-year-old of 1985 when he won the William Hill Futurity and the Chesham Stakes as well as finishing second in the Dewhurst Stakes. As a three-year-old he was overshadowed by his stable companion Dancing Brave, but he showed good form to win the Geoffrey Freer Stakes and finish third in both the Prix du Jockey Club and the Irish Derby. In all, he achieved four wins and seven places in a twelve race career which lasted from April 1985 until September 1986. He later stood as a breeding stallion in New Zealand with modest results.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingman (British horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Kingman is a champion British Thoroughbred racehorse who was the 2014 European Horse of the Year after winning the Irish 2000 Guineas, St. James's Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, and Prix Jacques le Marois

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gleneagles (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Gleneagles is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. After finishing fourth on his debut, he finished first in his remaining five races as a two-year-old in 2014 and was named Cartier Champion Two-year-old Colt. He won the Tyros Stakes, Futurity Stakes and National Stakes in Ireland before being disqualified after crossing the line in first place in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère in France. On his three-year-old debut he won the 2000 Guineas and followed up in the Irish 2,000 Guineas three weeks later. In June he added a win in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiggy Wiggy</span> Thoroughbred racehorse

Tiggy Wiggy is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2014, she won six out of eight races including the Weatherbys Super Sprint, Lowther Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes and was voted Cartier Champion Two-year-old Filly. In the spring of 2015 she was tried over longer distances and finished third in the 1000 Guineas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elm Park (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Elm Park is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old he became regarded as a leading contender for the 2015 British Classic Races after wins in the Royal Lodge Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy. In 2015 he finished third to Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs in the Dante Stakes but finished unplaced in The Derby. He later won the listed Fortune Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solow (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Solow is a British-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. After showing moderate form in his first two seasons, he won five of his six races as a four-year-old in 2014 including the Prix Quincey and the Prix Daniel Wildenstein. In 2015, he emerged as one of the best racehorses in the world with a win in the Dubai Turf and followed up with victories in the Prix d'Ispahan, Queen Anne Stakes, Sussex Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muhaarar</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Muhaarar is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old he showed very good form, winning the Gimcrack Stakes and finishing third in both the July Stakes and the Middle Park Stakes. He began his three-year-old career with a win in the Greenham Stakes before emerging as a leading sprinter with victories in the Commonwealth Cup, July Cup, Prix Maurice de Gheest and British Champions Sprint Stakes.

Ali-Royal was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. After winning one race as a two-year-old in 1995 he showed consistently good form as a three-year-old, winning the King Charles II Stakes and the Ben Marshall Stakes, but appeared to be just below top class. He reached his peak as a four-year-old in 1997, winning the Earl of Sefton Stakes on his seasonal debut and recording his biggest win in the Sussex Stakes on his final racecourse appearance. He retired with a record of seven wins and six places from sixteen starts. He stood as a breeding stallion in Ireland and Australia before dying in 2001 at the age of eight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dark Angel (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Dark Angel is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He raced only as a two-year-old, winning four of his nine races including the St Leger Yearling Stakes, Mill Reef Stakes and Middle Park Stakes. He was retired to stud as a three-year-old and became a very successful breeding stallion.

Lunchtime was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was undefeated in three races as a two-year-old in 1972, including the Dewhurst Stakes and was regarded as a major contender for the British Classic Races. He failed to win in three starts in the following year and was retired to become a breeding stallion in Australia. He had some success as a sire of winners.

In Command is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred and owned by Maktoum Al Maktoum he was trained in England by Barry Hills. He showed his best form as a two-year-old in 1996 when he was placed in the Acomb Stakes, Champagne Stakes and Middle Park Stakes before recording his biggest success in the Dewhurst Stakes. He failed to win in four subsequent races and was retired from racing in 1998. He had no success as a breeding stallion.

Prince of Dance was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 1988 he showed outstanding promise and was rated one of the best colts of his generation in Europe, finishing first in all four of his races including the Washington Singer Stakes, Champagne Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. In the following spring he won the Newmarket Stakes but ran badly when third favourite for the 1989 Epsom Derby. He was euthanised later that year after he was found to be suffering from cancer of the spine.

Tout Seul is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He is best known for his performances as a two-year-old in 2002 when he won five of his seven races including the Shergar Cup Juvenile, Tattersalls Breeders Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes, as well as finishing second in the Two-Year-Old Trophy. In the following year he failed to win in six races but finished fourth in the 2000 Guineas and third in the Irish 2000 Guineas. In 2004 he recorded his first victory in eighteen months when he won the Leicestershire Stakes but was well beaten in his remaining races and was retired at the end of the year.

Milk It Mick is a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a juvenile in 2003 he was highly tried, running twelve times and winning five races including the Somerville Tattersall Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes. In the same year he was placed in the Chesham Stakes, Washington Singer Stakes and Solario Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firdaussi</span> British Thoroughbred racehorse

Firdaussi was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He showed very good form as a two-year-old in 1931 when he won three of his five races including the Dewhurst Stakes. In the following year his progress was interrupted by illness in spring but he won his last four races, taking the Gordon Stakes before recording his biggest win in the St Leger and then defeating top-class older horses in the Jockey Club Stakes. He ran consistently as a four-year-old in 1933 but won only one minor race. Apart from his victories, Firdaussi was placed in the Eclipse Stakes (twice), Greenham Stakes, Lingfield Derby Trial and Great Jubilee Handicap. After his retirement from racing Firdaussi stood as a breeding stallion in Britain, France and Ireland, but had limited success as a sire of winners.

Salmon-Trout was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He showed very promising form as a two-year-old in 1923 when he won both of his races, namely the Prendergast Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. In the following year he won four of his ten races including the Princess of Wales's Stakes and the St Leger as well as being placed in the Newmarket Stakes and the Champion Stakes. In 1925 he finished second in the Ascot Gold Cup. After his retirement from racing he stood as a breeding stallion in England and South Africa and had some success as a sire of winners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pinatubo (horse)</span> Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse

Pinatubo is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the top-rated European two-year-old of 2019, when he was unbeaten in six races including the Woodcote Stakes, Chesham Stakes, Vintage Stakes, National Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. In the following year he won the Prix Jean Prat and was placed in the 2000 Guineas, St James's Palace Stakes and Prix du Moulin.

Zabeel Prince is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He was unraced as a juvenile and finished second on his only start at three. As a four-year-old he won a maiden race and two handicap races. In 2018 he won the Doncaster Mile Stakes in spring but missed most of the season before returning in autumn to finish second in the Joel Stakes. He reached his peak as a six-year-old in 2019 when he won the Group 3 Earl of Sefton Stakes and the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan. He failed to win in three starts in 2020.

Chaldean is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. He was the leading British-trained two-year-old of 2022 when he won his last four races including the Acomb Stakes, Champagne Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. In 2023 he won the 2000 Guineas.

References

  1. 1 2 "Belardo pedigree". Equineline.
  2. "Lope De Vega – Stud Record". Racing Post.
  3. "Danaskaya – Record By Race Type". Racing Post.
  4. 1 2 "Maid of the Glen – Family 1-u". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
  5. "Arqana Deauville August Yearlings 2013". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Goldophin buy majority stake in Dewhurst winner Belardo". The National (Abu Dhabi) . Reuters.
  7. 1 2 "Belardo the brave seals Dewhurst Stakes success". Cambridge News . Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  8. "Haven Seashore at Great Yarmouth Maiden Stakes result". Racing Post. 26 June 2014.
  9. "Washington Singer Stakes result". Racing Post. 16 August 2014.
  10. Marcus Armytage (17 October 2014). "Belardo swoops in Dewhurst Stakes to fire dreams of further Classic glory for Roger Varian". The Daily Telegraph .
  11. "Dewhurst Stakes result". Racing Post. 17 October 2014.
  12. Stuart Riley (17 October 2015). "Solow routs QEII field as Gleneagles flops". Racing Post . Archived from the original on 24 December 2015.
  13. Lee Mottershead. "Dewhurst winner Belardo champion two year old". Racing Post . Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  14. Thomas, James (26 December 2020). "From young guns to sires on fire: hunting out value among the 2021 covering fees". Racing Post.
  15. "Belardo Profile".
  16. "Haunui Farm stallion Parade | NZ Racing News".