Ballylinch Stud has released the fees for its five stallions, with its flagship sire Lope De Vega (Ire) receiving an increase in price to €175,000, up from €125,000, though he is set to cover a smaller number of mares in 2025.
“Lope de Vega continues to prove himself as a global sire sensation,” said Ballylinch Stud's managing director John O'Connor. “He has again proven his effectiveness at the very highest level with the most Group 1 winners, European Classic winners, and black-type horses of any stallion worldwide this season. His ongoing success is underscored by his international appeal in the sales ring and the consistent results his progeny achieve on the global stage. His fee increase will coincide with a reduced book size for 2025.”
In a banner year, Lope De Vega sired a Classic brace in France, with his son Look De Vega (Ire) winning the Prix du Jockey Club and Rouhiya (Fr) landing the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. Look De Vega was subsequently sold to the partnership of Ballylinch Stud and Al Shaqab, with the intention being for him to stand at Ballylinch on his eventual retirement from racing.
New Bay (GB) remains at €75,000 for 2025 and he stands alongside his Group 1-winning son Bayside Boy (Ire), who has 17 of his first foals on sale next week at Goffs. His fee has been clipped to €12,500 from €15,000.
“With ever-improving books of mares, his future as a leading sire is assured and we anticipate a huge year for New Bay in 2025,” said O'Connor.
“Bayside Boy is New Bay's most precocious and fastest son to date. He has been given a great chance at stud with excellent books of mares in his first two seasons, in fact with those books he covered the highest percentage of both winners and black-type mares of any second season sire in Ireland.”
Make Believe (GB) completes the Ballylinch roster in Ireland and, at €8,000, he will stand at his lowest fee since retiring to stud in 2016.
“With seven stakes winners, including four Group winners in 2024 alone, he offers breeders an unparalleled opportunity to breed top-class performers at a highly accessible fee,” O'Connor added. “Trainers consistently praise his progeny for their attitude and will to win.”
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Waldgeist (GB) will remain under the Ballylinch banner but will move from Ireland to stand in Germany next season. He will be based at Gestut Lunzen for a fee of €6,000.
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