Lope De Vega to Stand for Career-High €200,000 as Ballylinch Stud Releases Fees

[Wandering Eyes]

Ballylinch Stud has released the 2026 fees for its five stallions, with Lope De Vega receiving an increase in price to €200,000 following another successful year with Group 1 performers such as Carl Spackler, Almaqam and Jonquil.

“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,” said Ballylinch managing director John O'Connor.

“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.”

Lope De Vega covered 144 mares at a fee of €175,000 in 2025, while his Prix du Jockey Club-winning son, Look De Vega, was among Europe's busiest Flat stallions in his debut season at Ballylinch.

“It has been especially gratifying to see Lope De Vega's Classic-winning son Look De Vega receive such a warm welcome from both Irish and international breeders,” O'Connor said of Look De Vega, whose fees remains unchanged at €20,000.

“In his first season at stud, he covered an exceptional book of 195 mares and his excellent fertility ensures he will have a large first crop of well-bred foals. 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.”

For the fourth consecutive year, New Bay will stand at €75,000, having been represented by his fourth individual Group 1 winner when Bay City Roller ran away with Sunday's Grosser Preis von Bayern, while his Queen Elizabeth II Stakes-winning son, Bayside Boy, also remains unchanged at €12,500. Bayside Boy will be represented by his first two-year-old runners in 2026.

Completing the roster is Make Believe, who has had his fee increased to €10,000 (from €8,000). The sire of two new Group 1 winners in 2025, he represents “a genuine opportunity to breed a high-class performer at an accessible level”, according to O'Connor.

He added, “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.”

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