Royal Ascot hero Balios to take up stud duty in Poland

King Edward VII Stakes winner Balios, who began his stallion career at Haras du Hoguenet in France earlier this year, has been sold to leading Polish breeder Andrzej Zielinski and will now join the roster at his Pegaz stud.

Pegaz is already home to Ecosse, a son of Peintre Celebre and the most successful stallion in Poland, his son Prince Of Ecosse, champion juvenile in Poland, and the Polish Derby winner Caccini, a son of American Prince.

Balios, who stood for €2,500 at Haras du Hoguenet, is by Shamardal and out of the Listed-placed Galileo mare Elle Galante, herself a daughter of three-time Group 1 winner Elle Danzig.

Bred by Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Balios won two of his six starts for David Simcock, including the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2015, and retired with a peak Racing Post Rating of 115 and £168,361 in prize-money earnings.

More stallion news:

Smarty Jones on his way back to stud in Pennsylvania

Girvin retired to stud and Jeu St Eloi joins Haras de Cercy

Ransom The Moon to enter stud at Calumet Farm in 2019