WHAT a coup for Bearstone Stud, standing Belardo for the first time this year after six seasons at Kildangan Stud.

At the weekend, his son Gold Phoenix, bred at Jim and Geraldine Ryan’s Milltown Stud, and a winner on his debut at Dundalk two years ago before being sold to the USA, won the Grade 1 Frank E Kilroe Mile Stakes at Santa Anita, his third win there and adding to a previous success in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, along with placed efforts in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes and Grade 3 Charles Whittingham Stakes, both at Santa Anita. His earnings are now approaching €650,000.