Lope de Vega on the Rise: Ballylinch Confirms Record Stud Fee for 2026

The outstanding son of Shamardal will stand for €200,000 in 2026, positioning him among the most expensive stallions in the world

Lope de Vega will command a higher valuation in 2026 than ever before / BALLYLINCH STUD

KILKENNY, Ireland (Special to Turf Diario)—The rise of Lope de Vega shows no signs of slowing. The outstanding son of Shamardal will once again headline Europe’s stallion ranks with a €200,000 stud fee for 2026 at Ballylinch Stud—the highest of his career and a figure that reflects a level of consistency that continues to astound breeders and investors around the world.

Since debuting at stud in 2011 with an opening fee of just €15,000, Lope de Vega has cemented himself as one of the defining stallions of modern international racing. His output in recent seasons has been exceptional, producing top-level winners across hemispheres, continents and a wide range of surfaces. His recent success with Consent, winner of the Prix de Royallieu (G1), is simply the latest chapter in a seemingly unending run of excellence.

“Lope de Vega reaffirmed his position as the world’s leading stallion in 2025, once again topping global statistics by number of stakes winners—an achievement he had also claimed in 2024,”said John O’Connor, Managing Director of Ballylinch Stud.“His consistency and versatility across continents continue to inspire confidence among breeders and buyers, something that’s mirrored in his exceptional sales results. In 2026, he will once again cover a strictly limited book of mares.”

Ballylinch’s roster continues to balance proven sires with rising stars. Among them is New Bay (Dubawi), another key figure in the lineup, whose fee will rise to €75,000, driven by the momentum of his recent progeny—most notably Bay City Roller, a Group 1 winner in Germany.

“New Bay continues to strengthen his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting stallions,” O’Connor added. “His best crops are only now reaching the track, and everything suggests that 2026 could be the year he fully asserts himself among the elite.”

Meanwhile, Look De Vega, a son of Lope de Vega, will remain at €20,000 after an exceptionally strong first season at stud, covering 195 mares with excellent fertility. His barnmate Bayside Boy, by New Bay, stays at €12,500, while Make Believe (Makfi)—sire of two Group 1 winners in 2025—receives a slight increase to €10,000.

“Look De Vega has enjoyed an extraordinary start—arguably the best beginning of any stallion ever to join Ballylinch,”said O’Connor.“And Bayside Boy has made a very positive impression with his first yearlings, many of which are now in top barns. All signs point to his progeny beginning to stand out next year.”

With a stallion roster that blends depth, experience and forward momentum, Ballylinch Stud reaffirms its status as one of Europe’s premier breeding hubs. But it is Lope de Vega—the champion who has already left an indelible legacy—who sets the tone once more.

His rise to €200,000 is far more than symbolic: it is the confirmation of a decade-long dominance that, for now, has no clear challenger in sight.