Classic-placed Lope Y Fernandez to take up stallion duties at the National Stud

The high-class Lope Y Fernandez will retire to the National Stud for the 2022 breeding season.

The multiple Group 1- and Classic-placed son of Lope De Vega was trained by Aidan O’Brien for the Coolmore partners, who will retain part-ownership alongside new owners the National Stud, Whitsbury Manor Stud and Nick Bradley Racing.

As a two-year-old Lope Y Fernandez made an impressive winning debut at the Curragh, before later winning the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes over six furlongs at the same venue.

At three he proved highly consistent, achieving four placings at Group 1 level. Beginning his campaign with a third to Siskin in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, he was then narrowly beaten by Pinatubo in the Prix Jean Prat, before a close third behind Space Blues in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Lope Y Fernandez ended his Classic season in the Breeders’ Cup Mile with a fast-finishing third, with Guineas winners Kameko and Siskin in behind.

His efforts in 2020 saw him crowned champion European three-year-old sprinter.

This year Lope Y Fernandez began with a comfortable Listed success in the Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown, before putting up arguably his best performance when beating all bar Palace Pier in the Queen Anne Stakes.

O’Brien said: “Lope Y Fernandez was a lovely, easy moving horse with loads of speed. He was probably very comfortable with anything from six furlongs to one mile. He’s a great mover, has a great walk and a lovely mind.”

Bred by SF Bloodstock, and sold to MV Magnier for €900,000 at Arqana, he is out of the Listed-placed Dansili mare Black Dahlia. He is a half-brother to the Group 2 Vintage Stakes scorer Dark Vision, and full-brother to the multiple Listed-placed Al Hayyah and the high-class Liffey River.

Tim Lane, managing director of the National Stud, said: “Lope Y Fernandez is a hugely exciting addition to our stallion roster. He's an exceptionally good-looking individual and has a stand-out pedigree.

"I'm a big fan of Lope De Vega and we're delighted to be standing his first son in the UK.”

His fee will be announced at a later date and a limited number of breeding rights will be available.

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