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

Lucky Vega peeps around his stable door at the Irish National Stud during the ITM Irish Stallion Trail

Lucky Vega: off the mark with his first runnerCredit: Patrick McCann

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.

Published on 5 October 2024inANZ Bloodstock

Last updated 09:23, 5 October 2024

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