We are now very accustomed to horses with European backgrounds, racing under the OTI banner. The real change in Australia in recent years has been more on the breeding side.
Our breeding industry has benefitted from the introduction from classic bloodlines from some of Europe’s and America’s best stallions. Some have succeeded like Montjeu, while others have been less prolific, like the champion Coolmore stallion, Galileo. This introduction of European blood to our breeding ranks will ultimately prove to form the basis of more middle-distance and staying characteristics of domestically bred horses.
One stallion that has already proven to be precocious on both sides of the equator is Lope de Vega. This prolific young stallion has produced Group 1 winners in both hemispheres and looks poised to cement his position as one of Europe’s top stallions.
Star d’Vega, who is naturally by Lope de Vega, was purchased with Archie Alexander at the 2016 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling sale. This lovely filly has now developed beautifully and is now ready to make her mark on the track. She is scheduled to start at either Geelong or Bendigo during the week commencing July 17, 2017. It would not be surprising if, after her first run about four weeks ago, she did not show substantial improvement.
Lope de Vega’s progeny in Australia have been great value, as Star d’Vega is, when compared to their European counterparts. In Europe, Lope de Vega currently stands for €50,000 (A$75,000) while in Australia, he stood for a relatively modest $20,000. There is little doubt that, given Star d’Vega is out of an American-bred mare, her value in the northern hemisphere will be 2 or 3 times that as it is in Australia. This is still a far cry from the €500,000 (A$750,000), paid for one of Lope de Vega’s fillies at the 2017 Arqana Yearling sales.
Please let our office know should you be interested in being involved in this lovely filly, we are most confident that you will not be disappointed.
