Belardo, Europe’s leading first-season sire by number of Group wins, further increased his tally of Black Type winners on Wednesday, 11 November when his son Belloccio took the Grand Criterium du Languedoc, run over a mile at Toulouse.
Prominent early on under Olivier Peslier, the David Menuisier-trained colt was settled in second, before being ridden along once entering the home straight. Belloccio soon took up the running and kept to his task well, eventually winning by a length and a quarter.
Belloccio was bred in France by Ulf Sjoberg and is out of Three Cards (Mastercraftsman), herself a half-sister to G2 winner Bathyrhon and fellow Stakes winner Beiramar.
Belardo is also sire of three Group winners: Isabella Giles (G2 Rockfel Stakes and G3 Prestige Stakes), Lullaby Moon (G3 Prix Miesque and Listed 2YO Trophy) and Elysium (G3 Park Stakes).
Belardo will stand the 2021 covering season at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €10,000, Oct 1, SLF.
