Phoenix Stakes scorer Lucky Vega another top-class juvenile for Lope De Vega

Lucky Vega has proven himself to be another top-class juvenile for Ballylinch Stud stalwart Lope De Vega, now the sire of 11 winners at the highest level worldwide.

Trained by Jessica Harrington, Lucky Vega came under a strong drive from Shane Foley to land the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday, with the Prince Of Lir colt The Lir Jet promoted to second ahead of the Starspangledbanner filly Aloha Star following a stewards’ enquiry.

Lucky Vega was bred by Kilcarn Stud and is the sixth foal out of the Cape Cross mare Queen Of Carthage, whose other two winners are by Canford Cliffs and Zoffany.

Queen Of Carthage is a daughter of the Prix de l’Opera heroine Satwa Queen, whose half-brother Spadoun was a Group 1-winning juvenile in France, having landed the Criterium de Saint-Cloud in 1998.

The mare also has a Free Eagle yearling filly and a Footstepsinthesand colt foal.

Lucky Vega was purchased by Michael Roy as a foal for €110,000 at the Goffs November Sale, and changed hands again at the Orby Sale when bought by BBA Ireland and Yulong Investments for €175,000 from Baroda Stud.

Lope De Vega stood at a career-high fee of €100,000 during his tenth covering season at Ballylinch this year.

Among his runners to have won Group 1 races at two are the Dewhurst Stakes scorer Belardo, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Newspaperofrecord and Natalma Stakes winner Capla Temptress.

Originally appeared in the Racing Post on August 9th 2020

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