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...
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).
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
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.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).