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 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.
2025 G1 Cox Plate Field and Barrier Draw
A field of nine has been finalised for the 2025 Cox Plate with favourite Via Sistina drawing gate seven for Chris Waller and James McDonald, while one three-year-old has accepted to run in Nepotism.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 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.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
Cambridge Stud Celebrate Ceolwulf Victory
Homebred Ceolwulf’s successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick.
Magic Millions - The Book
The famous US sports journo, Red Smith, once proclaimed that : “writing is easy … I just sit down at my typewriter and open a vein”.
Delacroix Brings Dubawi Outcross to Coolmore Roster
Blueblood 3YO Dubawi colt Delacroix has been retired and the dual Group I winner will stand at Coolmore in Ireland in 2026.
Sires With Winners - Monday October 20
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.