Lucky Vega off the mark as first runner strikes in New Zealand

Lucky Vega was provided with a first winner from his first runner when Vega For Luck struck in New Zealand on Saturday. 

Bred by Inglewood Stud, the two-year-old was a NZ$60,000 purchase by All Ahead Bloodstock from the Karaka National Yearling Sale. Facing two rivals, the Ben and Ryan Foote-trained colt defeated Time Test's Luminance by just over a length at Tauranga.

Standing at the Irish National Stud in the northern hemisphere for €12,500 this season, Lucky Vega also shuttles to Yulong's base in Australia. He stands the this southern hemisphere season for $16,500.

Bred by Kilcarn Stud, Lucky Vega sold to Michael Roy for €110,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale in 2018. He then made €175,000 to BBA Ireland and Yulong at the Goffs Orby Sale when consigned by Baroda Stud the following autumn. 

The son of Lope De Vega was a debut winner at Naas for Jessica Harrington in June 2020 and followed up a second in the Group 2 Railway Stakes with victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes. Fifth to Thunder Moon in the Group 1 National Stakes after that, he then finished a half-length second to Supremacy in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes. 

At three, Lucky Vega was a half-length third in the 2,000 Guineas, fourth in the Irish equivalent and second in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes. He duly took up stallion duties at Yulong owner Yuesheng Zhang's Victorian base for that covering season. 

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