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...
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.
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).
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.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish.
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.