Lucky Vega
Lope de Vega (IRE) x Queen of Carthage (USA), by Cape Cross (IRE)
2018
15.3hh (1.60m)
Standing at Ace Stud - Newmarket
Proven Sire Power – New To Ace Stud
Bred by one of Ireland’s most respected breeders, Pat O’Kelly of Kilcarn Stud, Lucky Vega joins the Ace Stud roster for 2026. Making the move across the Irish Sea, British breeders now have their first direct access to the son of Lope de Vega after a highly promising year on the track for his progeny.
Lucky Vega was a convincing debut winner over 6f at Naas and was just edged out into second in the Gr.2 Railway Stakes over the same trip at the Curragh on his next start.
He atoned for that by blowing away his rivals in the Gr.1 Phoenix Stakes back over course and distance on his third outing, storming clear to beat Royal Ascot winning two-year-old The Lir Jet by 3.5 lengths, and also future European Champion St Mark’s Basilica. Previous winners of the race include breed-shapers Danehill Dancer and Johannesburg.
At three, Lucky Vega really did take the eye before his seasonal reappearance in the Gr.1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, finishing a close third to multiple Gr.1 winners Poetic Flare and Master Of The Seas in one of the tightest renewals of the first British Classic.
His racing career finished with another bold display, this time at the Royal meeting, where he was second in the Gr.1 St James’s Palace Stakes.
Lucky Vega’s first Northern Hemisphere-bred two-year-olds made their debut in 2025, which saw the sire finish second only to Starman by number of two-year-old winners, as well as leading the standings with an impressive 49% strike rate. His first crop delivered the Listed-winning and Gr.3-placed Lam Yai, as well as another Listed winner in Only Luck. His daughter Senorita Vega also placed in the Gr.3 Oh So Sharp Stakes.
He has had another consistent year on the track in 2026, with a winners-to-runners ratio of over 45%, along the way adding further black type performers to his record, including the Gr.2 Richmond Stakes runner-up, Night in Vegas. As a result of his six victories and Group-placed performances, Night in Vegas has amassed over £725,000 in prize money, making him Europe’s highest-earning two-year-old colt of 2026. Other notable progeny include the Gr.3-placed Imperial Strike and Harmonics, as well as the Stakes performers Coral Cove, Poatan, Saga Gaga and Golden Vega.
In the Southern Hemisphere Lucky Vega has enjoyed success with his Group 2 winners Cherry Bomshell, That’s Gold and Within The Law. The latter has also placed in two Group 1s to date and secured over £900,000 in prize money.
The buying bench also speaks volumes of the regard Lucky Vega is held in, with George Boughey, Eve Johnson Houghton, Paddy Twomey, Richard Spencer and others all adding a Lucky Vega to their stable in 2027. His top-priced yearlings made 115,000gns, €105,000, €100,000 etc this year, which saw his average surge by 40% at the major European sales.
Performance
Facts
- By the outstanding Lope de Vega
- From the family of the multiple Gr.1 victor Nations Pride and triple Gr.1 winner Militarize
- Brilliant winner of the Gr.1 Phoenix Stakes at two, blowing his opponents away by 3 ½ lengths, and trained on at three to place in Europe's most prestigious mile contests for colts
- Consistent winners-to-runners ratio of over 45% this season
- 2026 yearling prices include 115,000gns, €105,000, €100,000 etc - increasing both his average and median from the year before
Race record
Age | Runs | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | – | £180,411 |
| 3 | 3 | – | 1 | 1 | £132,097 |
| Totals | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 | £312,508 |
at 2
2nd Gr.1 Middle Park Stakes, (6f), Newmarket
Gr.1 Phoenix Stakes, (6f), Curragh
2nd Gr.2 Railway Stakes, (6f), Curragh
Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden, (6f), Naas
at 3
2nd Gr.1 St James’s Palace Stakes, (1m), Ascot
4th Gr.1 Irish 2,000 Guineas, (1m), Curragh
3rd Gr.1 2000 Guineas Stakes, (1m), Newmarket
Highest-Priced Yearlings in 2026
Media
Lucky Vega
1:29
1:29
Pedigree
Lucky Vega’s Top Progeny
THAT’S GOLD (22g, Sebring, Exceed and Excel). 4 wins from 1400m to 2100m, £192,503, 1st Auckland TR Avondale Guineas, Gr.2, Auckland TR Bonecrusher S., Gr.3, Waikato TR Karapiro Classic, 3rd Auckland TR Cloudsoft Accounting S., Waikato TR Hallmark Stud 2YO S., 4th Auckland TR Counties Challenge S., L
WITHIN THE LAW (22f, Dundeel, Red Ransom). 3 wins from 1000m to 1200m, £899,047, 1st ATC Sweet Embrace S., Gr.2, VRC Inglis Banner 2YO S. (R), L, ATC Inglis Nursery (R), L, 2nd ATC Champagne S., Gr.1, ATC Flight S., Gr.1, ATC Silver Shadow S., Gr.2, BRC Gunsynd Classic, Gr.3, ATC Inglis 2YO Millennium (R), L, 3rd ATC Percy Sykes S., Gr.2, BRC Fred Best Classic, Gr.3
CHERRY BOMSHELL (23f, Not a Single Doubt, Cherokee Run). 3 wins from 1000m to 1200m, £428,922, 1st ATC Percy Sykes S., Gr.2, BRC Jewel Prelude 2YO (f) P., BRC Become a Member Maiden 2YO P., 4th ATC Furious S., Gr.2
LAM YAI (23f, Invincible Spirit, Forty Niner). 2 wins from 1006m to 1209m, £56,052, 1st Doncaster Prospect S., L, 2nd Ayr Firth of Clyde S., Gr.3, 3rd Ripon Ripon Champion 2YO Trophy, L, 4th Naas Marwell S., L
ONLY LUCK (23f, Kitten’s Joy, Fortunate Prospect). 6 wins from 1200m to 1600m, £53,770, 1st Hannover Youngster Fillies Cup, L, Warsaw Nagroda Wiosenna, 2nd Warsaw Nagroda Mosznej, Warsaw Nagroda Criterium
Nepo Baby (22f, Written Tycoon, Commands). 2 wins at 1100m, £96,331, 2nd ATC PJ Bell S., Gr.3, GCTC Gold Coast Guineas, Gr.3, 3rd ATC Light Fingers S., Gr.2, ATC Nivison S., Gr.3, ATC Kia Ora H.
Vega for Luck (22c, Darci Brahma, Giant’s Causeway). Winner at 950m, £136,894, 2nd MRC Caulfield Guineas Prelude, Gr.3, Auckland TR Karaka 2YO Million (R), L, MRC Membership H., 3rd Auckland TR Counties Challenge S., L, Auckland TR Dunstan Horsefeeds 2YO S.
Night in Vegas (24c, Rock of Gibraltar, Key of Luck). 6 wins from 1207m to 1408m, £607,593, 1st Newmarket Tattersalls October Auction 2YO S., Doncaster Weatherbys 300000 2YO S., Ascot British Champions Day 2YO S., Newmarket Tattersalls Somerville 2YO S., Goodwood Soil Association 2YO S., Ascot Peroni Nastro 2YO S., 3rd Goodwood Richmond S., Gr.2
Imperial Strike (24c, Smart Strike, Accelerator). 2 wins from 1200m to 1500m, £45,292, 1st Deauville Prix de Tancarville, Deauville Prix d’Etreham et du Mezeray, 2nd ParisLongchamp Prix La Rochette, Gr.3
Coral Cove (24f, Fastnet Rock, Royal Applause). 2 wins from 1408m to 1609m, £45,899, 1st York Buy Irish 2yo S., 2nd Chantilly Prix Isonomy, L, Doncaster British Stallion Studs 2YO Maiden S.
Mystery ‘n’ Drama (22f, Fastnet Rock, Galileo). 2 wins from 1500m to 1600m, £55,956, 1st MRC Sportsbet H., 3rd MRC Angus Armanasco S., Gr.2, MRC Sportsbet Maiden P.
Poatan (23g, Intidab, Diesis). 2 wins from 1006m to 1218m, £78,181, 1st Haydock Be Friendly H., 3rd Sandown Scurry S., L, Doncaster Weatherbys Scientific 2YO S.
Golden Vega (23c, Manduro, Gilded Time). 3 wins from 1600m to 2400m, £28,150, 3rd Milano Premio Campobello, L
Lucky Pat (23g, Fastnet Rock, Titus Livius). 2 wins at 800m, £93,481, 2nd BRC Dalrello S., L, BRC CBT H., 3rd GCTC Magic Millions National Classic
Senorita Vega (23f, Hawk Wing, Danehill). 2 wins from 1203m to 1408m, £29,192, 3rd Newmarket Oh So Sharp S., Gr.3, Chester British Stallion Studs 2YO Maiden S., 4th Newbury Radley S., L
Saga Gaga (23f, Most Improved, Peintre Celebre). 2 wins from 1901m to 2293m, £34,063, 2nd Toulouse Derby du Languedoc, L, 4th Curragh Snow Fairy S., Gr.3
Harmonics (23c, Galileo, Monsun). 2 wins from 1621m to 2050m, £30,520, 3rd Windsor Winter Hill S., Gr.3
Luna Vega (23f, Dansili, Oasis Dream). Placed, £30,320, 2nd MRC (Mornington) Mornington Sires 2YO P., 3rd VRC Maribyrnong P., Gr.3
Germanica (23f, Born to Sea, Swain). 5 wins from 2000m to 2400m, £17,003, 1st Karlovy Vary Oaks, Bratislava Slovenske Oaks
Point Vega (22g, Helmet, Snippets). 4 wins from 1000m to 1200m, £54,624, 1st BRC Ladbrokes H., BRC Ladbrokes H.
Storm Away (22g, Street Cry, Redoute’s Choice). 2 wins from 1000m to 1200m, £74,403, 1st WATC Quayclean P., WATC Bisley Workwear Maiden P., 2nd WATC PKF Perth P., WATC Magic Millions P., 3rd WATC Mitch Wake 30th Birthday H., WATC Swan Draught H.
Mathematician (22g, Bel Esprit, King Tobias). 2 wins at 1050m, £57,402, 1st SAJC Ule Hoof Oil H., SAJC Winning Edge Presentations H.
Vega Dawn (23f, Champs Elysees, Oasis Dream). 4 wins from 1300m to 2100m, £18,092, 1st Milano Premio Schiranna
Abundant (23g, Danehill Dancer, Rainbow Quest). 3 wins from 1609m to 1621m, £36,224, 1st Newbury Finest Surprise H., 3rd Ascot JLL H., Goodwood Casamigos H.
High Authority (23g, Not a Single Doubt, Anabaa). 2 wins from 1200m to 1400m, £45,677, 1st BRC Become a Member H., 2nd BRC Become a Member Maiden 2YO P., 3rd BRC Gallopers Sports Club 2YO H.
Loz Vegas (23g, Archipenko, Galileo). 2 wins from 1609m to 2062m, £25,147, 1st York Sky Bet Price Boosts H.
Fontein Jewel (23c, Turffontein, Octagonal). 2 wins from 1100m to 1420m, £106,154, 1st VRC TAB 2YO H., 2nd Swan Hill JC VOBIS Gold Elvstroem 2YO Classic, 4th VRC Taj Rossi Series Final H., L
Prestige Lucky (22g, Hard Spun, Xaar). 2 wins from 1050m to 1100m, £28,663, 1st SAJC Thomas Farms Maiden P.
Night Patrol (23g, Bertolini, Siberian Express). Winner at 1408m, £17,367, 1st Newbury Metro Rod Pump 2YO S., 3rd York Coral Daily Reward Nursery
Secret Santa (23c, Redback, Aragon). Winner at 1207m, £20,653, 1st Ascot Hospitality H., 3rd Newbury Starlight 2YO Maiden S.
Possessive (24g, Siyouni, Acclamation). Winner at 1207m, £13,899, 1st York Tomahawk EBF Restricted Novice S.
Vega Vixen (23f, Deep Field, Exceed and Excel). Winner at 1000m, £29,738, 1st MRC Evergreen Turf 2YO H., 3rd VRC TAB 2YO H.
Fighting Tears (24f, Blame, Vindication). Winner at 1207m, £17,507, 1st Curragh Irish 2YO Maiden S., 4th Leopardstown Killavullan S., Gr.3
Lucky Brook (23f, Hinchinbrook, Viscount). Winner at 1000m, £56,962, 1st MRC Sportsbet 2YO H.
Elizabeth Joy (22f, Mastercraftsman, Soviet Lad). 6 wins from 1200m to 1650m
Wild Thoughts (23g, Oratorio, Bluebird). 5 wins from 1408m to 2011m, £51,995, 2nd Newbury Betvictor H., 3rd Doncaster Pertemps Network H.
Zavega (22f, Galileo, Mark of Esteem). 5 wins from 800m to 1000m, £33,862
Lucky Mama (22f, Helmet, Encosta de Lago). 4 wins from 1200m to 1400m
Silver State (23g, Sadler’s Wells, Darshaan). 4 wins from 1603m to 1739m, £40,719, 2nd Epsom Lester Piggott H.
Prestige Gundy (22g, Snitzel, Zabeel). 4 wins from 1250m to 1410m, £37,405
Insiena (23c, Tiznow, Pulpit). 4 wins from 1500m to 1950m, £12,536
Vega’s Virtue (23f, Iffraaj, Pivotal). 4 wins from 1603m to 1678m, £20,136
Lucky Lass (22f, Sky Mesa, Broad Brush). 3 wins from 1000m to 1100m, £40,313
Lucky Hero (23g, New Approach, Selkirk). 3 wins from 1408m to 2012m, £31,473, 2nd Sandown Bet With BetMGM Nursery
Don Torkdahl (23c, High Chaparral, Turtle Island). 3 wins from 1400m to 2200m, £12,612
Magic Merlin (22g, Bradbury’s Luck, Street Cry). 3 wins from 1500m to 1700m, £38,226
Mighty Vega (23g, Rahy, Unfuwain). 3 wins from 1207m to 1409m, £21,777
Knights Charge (23c, Pivotal, Green Desert). 3 wins from 2011m to 2057m, £39,913, 2nd Doncaster Pertemps Network H.
Lope Spirit (23c, Invincible Spirit, Machiavellian). 3 wins from 1200m to 1600m, £14,879
Sponars (22g, Street Cry, Pulpit). 2 wins from 900m to 1350m, £55,113, 2nd ATC Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines H., 3rd ATC Asahi Dry H.
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