Lope De Vega has been given a €50,000 increase in his stud fee for 2025, following another very strong year for his progeny on the track and in the sales ring.

The Ballylinch Stud stallion has had 20 individual Group 1 winners, the most recent being Middle Park-Dewhurst Stakes winner Shadow Of Light, French Derby winner Look De Vega and Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa.

A yearling filly by Lope De Vega made €1 million at this year's Arqana August Yearling Sale. At Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, his yearlings made 750,000gns, 550,000gns (twice) and 500,000gns (three times). Another of his yearling colts made €750,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale.

Revealing Lope De Vega's revised fee to be €175,000, Ballylinch Stud managing director John O'Connor said: “Lope De Vega continues to prove himself as a global sire sensation. He has again proven his effectiveness at the very highest level with the most Group 1 winners, Europe classic winners, and blacktype 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.”

New Bay sticks at €75,000 next year. O'Connor said: "New Bay’s latest crop of two-year-olds has reaffirmed his status as one of Europe’s finest sires, producing a plethora of highly rated and unbeaten juveniles. His success on the track has resonated strongly in the sales ring, with yearlings selling for up to €620,000 and averaging €140,000 in 2024 - almost four times their covering fee. 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.”

Bayside Boy goes into his third season at Ballylinch on the slightly reduced fee of €12,500. “Bayside Boy has been given a great chance at stud with excellent books of mares in his first two seasons," O'Connor reported. "In fact with those books he covered the highest percentage of both winners and blacktype mares of any second season sire in Ireland. His foals look strong, well-muscled and very athletic, and now could be a very shrewd time to invest in him.”

Ballylinch has cut 20% off Make Believe's fee to €8,000. O'Connor said: "Make Believe’s blacktype success rates are exceptional for a stallion at his fee, and his statistics rival some of the top sires in Europe.

"In fact his percentage of group winners to runners is the same as Siyouni, Havana Grey, Too Darn Hot, and Mehmas. 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. Trainers consistently praise his progeny for their attitude and will to win.”

The Prix de l'Arc winner Waldgeist is moving from Ballylinch to Gestüt Lünzen in Germany and his fee has dropped from €10,000 to €6,000.

“Waldgeist has sired three stakes winners from his first crop this year, the highly regarded fillies May It Be, Waldora, and Forest Fairy," O'Connor said. "With his transfer to Gestüt Lünzen in Germany under the management of Nikolas Schenke, Waldgeist returns to his roots, where his illustrious female family has thrived. We anticipate a bright future for Waldgeist as he continues to make an impact from his new home."

BALLYLINCH STUD FEES

Stallion 2025 fee (2024 in brackets)

Bayside Boy €12,500 (€15,000)

Lope De Vega €175,000 (€125,000)

Make Believe €8,000 (€10,000)

New Bay €75,000 (same)

Waldgeist* €6,000 (€10,000)

*standing in Germany