Lope De Vega's star ascends further to career-high of €200,000 as Ballylinch Stud announce 2026 fees

Lope De Vega has surged to the highest fee during his career at Ballylinch Stud and will stand for €200,000 in 2026. 

Having begun from an opening fee of €15,000 in 2011, the Classic-winning son of Shamardal was up to €175,000 this year and has maintained his high standards, most recently with Consent landing the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu.

Ballylinch managing director John O’Connor said: "At Ballylinch Stud, our roster combines proven stallions and emerging young sires with exceptional promise. We look forward to working with our clients to achieve continued success on the racecourse and in the sales ring.

"Lope De Vega reaffirmed his position as the world’s leading stallion in 2025, once again topping the global tables for the number of worldwide stakes horses, a title he also achieved in 2024. His remarkable consistency and versatility across continents continue to inspire confidence in breeders and buyers alike, which is reflected in his outstanding sales results. As in 2025, he will again cover a strictly limited book of mares in 2026."

Bay City Roller and Adrie de Vries storm clear in the G1 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern

New Bay, sire of last weekend's German Group 1 winner Bay City Roller, will command an altered fee of €75,000. 

O'Connor said: "New Bay continues to enhance his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting sires. There is also much to look forward to from his two-year-olds, including the highly rated and unexposed Yazin, Bay Of Brilliance and Parade Bay, who, among others, haves shown Classic potential. With his best-bred crops now hitting the track, 2026 looks set to be a defining year where he can confirm his place among Europe’s elite proven sires."

Lope De Vega's son Look De Vega has been kept at €20,000, with Bayside Boy, a son of New Bay, will remain at €12,500. Make Believe will rise marginally from €8,000 to €10,000.

"In his first season at stud, Look De Vega covered an exceptional book of 195 mares, and his excellent fertility ensures he will have a large first crop of well-bred foals," O'Connor said. "He has been given every opportunity to succeed – indeed, perhaps the best start of any stallion to stand at Ballylinch – even surpassing the early support received by his own sire Lope de Vega.

"Bayside Boy had an excellent first crop of yearlings at the sales. It was notable how many good judges were impressed with what they saw, and many are now in the care of top trainers. It will be no surprise if his first runners make an immediate impact on the track in 2026, and I expect many shrewd breeders will support him this season.

"Make Believe continues to deliver exceptional value for breeders. With two Group 1 winners in 2025, he represents a genuine opportunity to breed a high-class performer at an accessible level and gives a young mare every chance to succeed at stud."

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