Roger Varian has revealed that Belardo has been retired after being ruled out of the Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
The 2014 champion juvenile was well fancied for Saturday’s one-miler but struggled during a workout at home and the decision has now been made to retire him to stud.
Belardo has not been seen since finishing second to Tepin in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot but has enjoyed a strong season with wins in the Doncaster Mile and the Lockinge Stakes, following a difficult campaign as a three-year-old.
After a meeting on Monday, Varian has confirmed that with him having no chance of being fit for British Champions Day, connections have now decided to end his racing career.
The trainer revealed: “The timing of this setback is very unfortunate and I am disappointed for both [owners] Prince Faisal and Sheikh Mohammed that Belardo will not be able to run at Ascot on Saturday.
“The horse had been working exceptionally well in the build up to this race. However, he was not 100 per cent following his last piece of work and we now do not have sufficient time to get him to the QEII. As such, connections have taken the decision to retire him.
“The horse has been a pleasure to have around the yard and I am sure he will make a successful stallion as he embarks on the next stage of his career.”
