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.
12 year-old Lope De Vega has enjoyed a remarkable upward trajectory, with nine Group 1 winners on his stud record and 107 stakes performers including Australian Group I winners such as Santa Ana Lane and Vega Magic.
His success has come despite modest beginnings as he was available to breeders at just €12,500 in Ireland as recently as 2014 and in his four seasons in Australia stood for the first two years at $27,500 and then $22,000 for the last two ending in 2014.
Ballylinch Stud's managing director John O'Connor said: "Lope De Vega has had another incredible season, with a Classic winner, two new Group 1 winners and 25 stakes winners.
"Despite having only six crops of racing age, only Galileo, Dubawi and Shamardal had more black type winners amongst the European sires. The success continued in the sales ring as his progeny realised up to 750,000gns with an average of over €205,000."
Lope De Vega Service Fee Rises to 100,000 euros
Advertisment
More Reading...
Rich Hill Bred Ace High Mare Chasing G2 Rich Hill Mile
Gifted four-year-old She’s A Dealer is in the right order to make a successful challenge for higher honours on New Year’s Day.
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.
Caffe Florian Wins Listed Gosford Guineas – Full Sister MM 2026
The baldy face of Caffe Florian was the widest of all runners turning for home in the $200,000 Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) on Sunday as the Richard Litt trained filly attempted to loop the field, a risky move on a lesser horse, but a winning one for this rising star.
Lope de Vega's Vega One Too Strong in MM Cup
Tony Gollan has his eyes firmly fixed on the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap for Vega One after the four-year-old son of Lope de Vega captured Saturday’s $1 million Magic Millions Cup (RL) at the Gold Coast.
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.
G1 Winner La Crique Retired to Stud
La Crique, arguably the most consistent horse in Australasian racing, has been retired.
Lope De Vega's Phoenix Of Spain Romps in Irish 2000 Guineas
Australian breeders would love another chance with Shamardal (IRE) and his son Lope De Vega (IRE).
Caulfield Cup Winner Making International News – Sales Relations?
Winner of the 2011 Group I MRC Caulfield Cup, South Australian bred star staying mare Southern Speed was retired to stud in Japan at the end of her career and was in the news this week when her four year-old son Cosmo Kuranda went within a whisker of winning the Group I Arima Kinen (2500m).
Sires With Winners - Monday December 29
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday December 28
Here is the full list of 65 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.