Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1) winner Lucky Vega will stand at the Irish National Stud for northern hemisphere duties.
The 3-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.
Trainer Jessica 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 and raced by Zhang Yuesheng, Lucky Vega is one of three winners out of the unraced Queen of Carthage, a daughter of Cape Cross and Prix de l'Opera (G1) winner Satwa Queen. He sold to Michael Roy for €110,000 (US$125,070) at the Goffs November Foal Sale in 2018 before BBA Ireland and Yulong Investments swooped at €175,000 ($191,330) at Goffs Orby.
Queen of Carthage's Footstepsinthesand yearling colt brought €630,000 ($736,798) from BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe at last month's Goffs Orby Sale.
Donohoe said: "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 will be announced at a later date.
