Belardo's Sireline Continues to fire

With the Karaka May Sale and Magic Millions Weanling Sales just around the corner, the battle of the first season sires is set to begin and Haunui Farm's young stallion, BELARDO , should be at the top of everyone's list, and here's why.

1. He was a CHAMPION 2YO and dual G1 WINNER

2. He's the only son of LOPE DE VEGA at stud in Australasia

3. He's out of a DANEHILL mare

4. His progeny are impressing in BOTH HEMISPHERES

Since announcing BELARDO in 2017, his sire, LOPE DE VEGA , has gone from strength to strength on a global scale. When BELARDO was first introduced to New Zealand, LOPE DE VEGA boasted a total of 26 stakes winners including four G1 winners. Now, that tally has risen to 54 and seven, headlined in the Southern Hemisphere by 5-time G1 winner, SANTA ANA LANE and his influence in Australia was once again highlighted this weekend with a stakes double at Doomben. With only 320 foals from his four Australian crops, LOPE DE VEGA has sired 21 stakes performers including 12 stakes winners and in the north commands an €80,000 service fee at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland, placing him amongst Europe's elite stallions.

Adding fuel to the fire is BELARDO 's grandsire, SHAMARDAL , sire of over 200 stakes performers and who this weekend sired his 22^ndG1 winner , 3YO filly CASTLE LADY , who was victorious in the French 1000 Guineas. SHAMARDAL leads the way in Europe this year with six Group winners to date, a list that includes G1 Al Quoz Sprint Stakes winner, BLUE POINT .

BELARDO 's first southern hemisphere crop will hit the weanling sale rings of Karaka and the Gold Coast over the next two weeks and for buyers serious about accessing one of the hottest sire lines in the world, his foals shouldn't be missed.

BELOW: Lot 73 at the Karaka May Sale, a 1/2 brother to G1 performer, Sardaaj