Phoenix Stakes winner Lucky Vega to join Irish National Stud roster

Phoenix Stakes winner and 2,000 Guineas third Lucky Vega will stand at the Irish National Stud for northern hemisphere duties.

The three-year-old son of Lope De Vega - who has been standing at Yulong Investments' Nagambie Farm in Victoria, Australia, and will continue to do so - will join a high-class roster that includes stalwart Invincible Spirit, Equiano, Phoenix Of Spain and Decorated Knight.

Trained by Jessica Harrington, the colt won his first start at Naas in June of his juvenile campaign. A half-length second to Law Of Indices in the Railway Stakes, he then produced a commanding performance in the Phoenix Stakes back at the Curragh. He finished his two-year-old season when an unlucky fifth in the National Stakes and with a second to Supremacy in the Middle Park Stakes.

At three, Lucky Vega finished a close second to Poetic Flare in the 2,000 Guineas, before finishing fourth in the Irish equivalent to Mac Swiney. He rounded off his campaign when finishing best behind Poetic Flare in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Harrington said: "Lucky Vega was always a pleasure to train and took his work very well. He had great balance, power and speed. I look forward to training his sons and daughters and I think he has all the credentials to make into a high-class stallion."

Bred by Kilcarn Stud, Lucky Vega is one of three winners out of the unraced Queen Of Carthage, a daughter of Cape Cross and Prix de l’Opera winner Satwa Queen. He sold to Michael Roy for €110,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale in 2018 before BBA Ireland and Yulong Investments swooped at €175,000 at Goffs Orby.

Queen Of Carthage's Footstepsinthesand yearling colt sold for €630,000 to BBA Ireland’s Michael Donohoe at last month's Goffs Orby Sale.

Donohoe said: “Mr Zhang has obviously reinvested in this family, showing the huge belief he has in Lucky Vega. He will be strongly supporting him at stud over the coming years.

"With his amazing blend of class and speed we believe Lucky Vega will produce precocious animals with great movement just like him."

A stud fee for Lucky Vega will be announced at a later date.

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