Lope De Vega (Ire), whose progeny results on the racetrack this year included a Classic winner and two new Group 1 winners, will stand for a career-high €100,000 at Ballylinch Stud in 2020.
Lope De Vega's Phoenix of Spain (Ire) built on a promising 2-year-old campaign when winning the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, and Lope De Vega in addition sired a Group 1 winner over 1800 metres in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan victor Zabeel Prince (Ire), and 1200 metres in Santa Ana Lane (Aus), winner of the G1 TJ Smith S. Down Under.
“Lope de Vega has had another incredible season with a Classic winner, two new Group 1 winners and 25 stakes winners,” said Ballylinch Managing Director John O'Connor. “Despite only having 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.”
Make Believe (GB), who was represented by his first runners this year, is available for €12,000, and O'Connor said of him, “Make Believe has made a most promising start to stud with three stakes winners; only Night of Thunder has more among the first-season sires. Make Believe himself improved 36 pounds on RPR from two to three, and there is every indication that his progeny are likely to progress as 3-year-olds. With five horses already officially rated over 95, including the 10-length maiden winner Mishriff, and five engaged in next year's Irish Classics, it looks like the excellent start is sure to continue for Make Believe.”
Group 1 winners Fascinating Rock (Ire) and New Bay (GB) both have their first runners next year, and they stand for €7,000 and €15,000, respectively, while newcomer Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), as announced earlier this week, stands for €17,500.
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