Fourth Stakes Win for Lope De Vega Filly Nobody Wanted

Mark Smith - Sunday April 7

Now firmly established as one of Europe's top stallions with a service fee to match, Ballylinch Stud's Lope de Vega (IRE) left a fine legacy from his four seasons at stud in Australia.

It did not just rest on the shoulders of his son Santa Ana Lane on Saturday, whose stunning performance left fans gobsmacked in the $2,500,000 Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick, the Fred Kersley-trained 4yo mare Mizlecki chipped in with her fourth stakes success in the Listed Old Comrade Stakes at Ascot.

And the Fred Kersley trained mare did it in style, striding clear under Daniel Staeck to defeat Properantes (Danehill Express) by four and a quarter-lengths with Variation (War Chant) a short-head back in third.


Things were made a bit easier for Mizlecki when the favourite Tellem We're Comin unseated William Pike when leaving the saddling paddock and was scratched by stewards.

Kersley said Mizlecki has had to overcome more than her fair share of injuries.

"She's been a terrific little mare over her career," Kersley said.

"She did fracture a fetlock joint last year and she races with three spurs in a leg but despite all of those issues she's come here today and done a pretty good job."

With previous Listed wins in the WATC Sheila Gwynne Classic, WATC Raconteur Stakes and WATC Belmont Oaks, Mizlecki advances her record to 6 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $461,800.

Not bad for a filly that was sent to Kersley by Yarradale Stud's Ron Sayers after she could not find a buyer willing to shell out the $30,000 reserve at the 2016 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Mizlecki (pictured as a yearling ) is the first named foal of the Al Maher mare Miss Strezelecki who had a heartbreaking start to her stud career with just one live foal from her first five seasons at stud.

Things have been looking up of late with a yearling filly by Gingerbread Man and a colt foal by the same stallion before being covered by War Chant (USA) last spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Lope De Vega's Spanish Whisper Strikes in Let's Elope
Seymour Bloodstock’s Spanish Whisper has the race performance and pedigree to grace any broodmare paddock in the land but that has been put on hold as she strives for that elusive Group 1 victory.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Qatar Bloodstock's Endless Drama Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Fireworks were expected at Te Rapa on Saturday as several of last season’s equine stars kicked off their new spring campaigns in the Group II US Navy Flag Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and it was recent Group I  Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) placegetter Endless Drama who delivered with a stunning victory.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Thumping Win for Lope De Vega's Gytrash in Creswick Stakes
The Gordon Richard’s trained Gytrash gave Australia another reason to regret the departure of Lope De Vega (IRE) following a brilliant performance in Saturday’s Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Lope De Vega Service Fee Rises to 100,000 euros
It seems a long time ago that French Derby winner Lope de Vega (IRE) shuttled to Patinack Farm in Australia, the top class son of Shamardal now one of Europe’s most desirable stallions with Ballylinch Stud lifting his fee for 2020 to 100,000 euros.