Four new top-level winners see Lope De Vega upped for 2018

A quartet of international top-level winners in 2017 have earned Ballylinch Stud linchpin Lope De Vega a fee increase to €60,000 for the upcoming breeding season.

The Prix du Jockey Club- and Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning son of Shamardal supplied Vega Magic, who landed the Darley Goodwood and Memsie Stakes in Australia, where another of his sons, Santa Ana Lane, took out the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Lope De Vega also enjoyed Grade 1 success in Canada when his two-year-old daughter Capla Temptress ran out a ready winner of the Natalma Stakes, while The Right Man, who landed a Group 3 at Maisons-Laffitte on Wednesday, recorded a breakthrough Group 1 victory in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan back in March.

"Lope De Vega has established himself as a leading international sire and in 2018 his biggest and best crop will start to hit the track so the future looks very positive for him," said Ballylinch managing director John O'Connor.

Another Prix du Jockey Club winner on the Ballylinch roster, New Bay - who stands in partnership with both Juddmonte and the China Horse Club, remains on a fee of €20,000 for his second season on covering duty.

"New Bay got great support not just from outside breeders but also his shareholders," said O'Connor. "China Horse Club sent 20 quality mares and have already committed 20 again to him for 2018. Juddmonte have also sent him some real nice mares and will continue to do so next season."

Other members of the six-strong roster remaining at the same fee for 2018 are Fascinating Rock - whose first foals will arrive next year - and Beat Hollow, with the former sticking on €10,000 and the latter €6,000.

"Fascinating Rock got off to a great start at stud with excellent support from ourselves and Newtown Anner Stud," noted O'Connor. "Maurice Regan, who bred and raced Fascinating Rock, is a huge believer in the horse and is determined to support him fully throughout his career at stud."

Two horses set to have their fee clipped in 2018 are Lawman, the sire of Most Improved and Marcel, and Make Believe - whose first crop will be yearlings next year, with both to stand at €15,000.

Ballylinch Stud 2018 covering fees

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