'His owners will ensure he has every opportunity to succeed' - Classic hero Look De Vega retired to Ballylinch Stud

This year's scintillating Prix du Jockey Club winner Look De Vega has been retired and will stand at Ballylinch Stud in 2025.

The colt will stand alongside his venerable sire Lope De Vega at the County Kilkenny stud.

"We are delighted to announce that Look De Vega will stand at Ballylinch Stud for the 2025 season," said a statement from the operation on Monday.

"He will join two other Prix du Jockey Club winners at Ballylinch, his sire Lope De Vega and New Bay, both of whom have gone on to achieve great success as sires. Look De Vega will be offered to breeders in his first season at a fee of €20,000."

Look De Vega, who was bred by Haras de la Morsangliere and Ecurie des Charmes out of the High Chaparral mare Lucelle, was a private €160,000 sale from Aumonerie at the Arqana August Sale in 2022.

Trained by Carl and Yann Lerner, Look De Vega won his one and only start as a two-year-old last November at Fontainebleau, and got off to a winning start this season in a conditions race at Longchamp.

He was then pitched straight into the deep end in the Jockey Club at Chantilly, but took it in his stride to run out a two-length winner from First Look in the hands of Ronan Thomas.

Having switched ownership to Al Shaqab Racing and Ballylinch, Look De Vega lost his unbeaten record in the Prix Niel, in which he was third, and in what turned out to be his final race finished unplaced behind Bluestocking in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The fact the announcement of his retirement to stud has come six weeks later suggests plenty of consideration was given to keeping him un training next year.

Ballylinch managing director John O’Connor said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Lope De Vega’s Classic-winning son Look De Vega to the Ballylinch roster for 2025. 

"We have been tracking Look De Vega since his hugely impressive seven-length debut win on his only start as a two-year-old. 

"A truly impressive victor of the Prix du Jockey Club, Look De Vega continues the legacy of his sire and grandsire, both of whom won the same race before going on to champion first-season sire honours. 

"He is owned by a very strong partnership, including successful breeders Al Shaqab, Ecurie des Charmes and ourselves, who are all committed to supporting him with a top-quality book of mares, ensuring he has every opportunity to succeed."

O'Connor added: "Anyone who sees his walk will immediately recognise him as his father’s son. Breeders will be struck by his athleticism, temperament, and overall physique, all qualities that set him on the path to becoming an outstanding sire in his own right."

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