Lucky Vega
Lope de Vega (IRE) x Queen of Carthage (USA), by Cape Cross (IRE)
2018
15.3hh
Standing at Segenhoe Stud, NSW
FEE: $27,500
GST inclusive
Proven Sire Power, New to New South Wales
Bred by one of Ireland’s most respected breeders, Pat O’Kelly of Kilcarn Stud, the powerful and attractive son of Lope De Vega (IRE) is out of a Cape Cross (IRE) mare, combining the bloodlines of two of the best Southern Hemisphere shuttle stallions.
Lucky Vega won convincingly first time out over 1200 metres at Naas and was just edged out into second in the Gr.2 Railway S. 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 S. back over that course and distance on his third outing, storming clear to beat Royal Ascot two-year-old The Lir Jet (IRE) by 3.5l, and also future European Champion St Mark’s Basilica (FR) and Laws Of Indices (IRE). Previous winners of the race include breed-shapers Danehill Dancer (IRE) and Johannesburg (USA).
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.
It is not just Lucky Vega’s two-year-old talent and sprinting ability that make him hot property in Australia.
Local breeders will already be familiar with Lope De Vega’s prowess as a sire; producing Gr.1 winners Gytrash, Santa Ana Lane, Vega Magic & Vega One, as well as Gr.2 scorers and Gr.1 placegetters Spanish Reef and Spanish Whisper during the son of Shamardal’s (USA) four-year shuttling stint.
Lucky Vega’s first-crop two-year-olds made their much-anticipated debut in 2024, and like their sire, showed precocity in abundance. New Zealand-bred Vega For Luck hit the ground running, winning on his first start in October and placing twice at Stakes level.
The star of the season was however the Darby Racing filly Within The Law. Trained by Bjorn Baker, Within The Law struck on debut in the Listed Inglis Banner during Cup Week at Flemington, and went on to add two further Stakes wins, including the Gr.2 Sweet Embrace Stakes, prior to her narrow second in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes.
During the 2025/2026, three-year-old colt That’s Gold emerged as another impressive Group winner for his young sire, powering to victory in both the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes and Gr.2 Avondale Guineas for Wexford Stables. Two-year-old Cherry Bomshell also exploded onto the scene in 2026, becoming her sire’s second Group-winning juvenile, when taking the Gr.2 Percy Sykes Stakes following two eye-catching wins earlier in the season.
The results on the track soon translated to results in the sales ring, with the progeny of Lucky Vega offering significant return on investment to breeders at auction, selling for up to $380,000.
In 2026, Lucky Vega’s yearlings averaged over seven-times their conception fee across the major Australian yearling sales, with a top price of $270,000 achieved at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale in January. The buying bench also speaks volumes of the regard Lucky Vega is held in, with Te Akau Racing, Ciaron Maher, Wexford Stables and Australian Bloodstock all adding a Lucky Vega to their stable in 2026.
Performance
Facts
- By the outstanding Lope de Vega, sire of top sprinters Gytrash, Santa Ana Lane, Vega Magic, and Vega One.
- From the family of dual Gr.1-winning two-year-old Militarize and multiple Gr.1 victor Nations Pride.
- 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.
- Yearlings have sold up to $380,000 at the sales, with purchasers in 2026 including David Ellis/ Te Akau, Ciaron Maher, Wexford Stables, and Australian Bloodstock.
- Champion Victorian First Season Sire in 24/25 by winners, earnings and Stakes winners; with runners including Gr.2-winning and Gr.1 placed Within the Law, Gr.2 winner That's Gold, and Gr.2 placed Mystery 'n' Drama all from his debut Southern Hemisphere crop.
Race record
Age |
Runs |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | – | £185,172 |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | £135,552 |
| Totals | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 | £320,724 |
at 2
Curragh Phoenix S., Gr.1 (1200m)
Naas Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden (1200m)
2nd Newmarket Middle Park S., Gr.1 (1200m)
2nd Curragh Railway S., Gr.2 (1200m)
at 3
2nd Royal Ascot St James’s Palace Stakes Gr.1 (1602m)
3rd Newmarket 2000 Guineas, Gr.1 (1600m)
4th Curragh Irish 2000 Guineas, Gr.1 (1600m)
Top Progeny
Top-Priced Yearlings
Media
Lucky Vega
1:02
1:29
1:29
Pedigree
Lucky Vega’s Leading Progeny
THAT’S GOLD (22g, Sebring, Exceed and Excel). 4 wins from 1400m to 2100m, A$377,991, 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, A$1,782,950, 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, A$821,950, 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, A$115,249, 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, A$98,739, 1st Hannover Youngster Fillies Cup, L, Warsaw Nagroda Wiosenna, 2nd Warsaw Nagroda Mosznej
Nepo Baby (22f, Written Tycoon, Commands). 2 wins at 1100m, A$187,400, 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, A$272,576, 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). 5 wins from 1207m to 1408m, A$905,540, 1st Newmarket Tattersalls October Auction 2YO S., Doncaster Weatherbys 300000 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, A$86,766, 1st Deauville Prix de Tancarville, Deauville Prix d’Etreham et du Mezeray, 2nd ParisLongchamp Prix La Rochette, Gr.3
Mystery ‘n’ Drama (22f, Fastnet Rock, Galileo). 2 wins from 1500m to 1600m, A$109,960, 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, A$156,197, 1st Haydock Be Friendly H., 3rd Sandown Scurry S., L, Doncaster Weatherbys Scientific 2YO S.
Golden Vega (23c, Manduro, Gilded Time). 2 wins from 1600m to 2400m, A$51,893, 3rd Milano Premio Campobello, L
Lucky Pat (23g, Fastnet Rock, Titus Livius). 2 wins at 800m, A$175,800, 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, A$60,130, 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, A$65,071, 2nd Toulouse Derby du Languedoc, L, 4th Curragh Snow Fairy S., Gr.3
Harmonics (23c, Galileo, Monsun). 2 wins from 1621m to 2050m, A$57,408, 3rd Windsor Winter Hill S., Gr.3
Luna Vega (23f, Dansili, Oasis Dream). Placed, A$59,100, 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, A$32,616, 1st Karlovy Vary Oaks, Bratislava Slovenske Oaks
Point Vega (22g, Helmet, Snippets). 4 wins from 1000m to 1200m, A$104,700, 1st BRC Ladbrokes H., BRC Ladbrokes H.
Storm Away (22g, Street Cry, Redoute’s Choice). 2 wins from 1000m to 1200m, A$149,170, 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, A$109,700, 1st SAJC Ule Hoof Oil H., SAJC Winning Edge Presentations H.
Abundant (23g, Danehill Dancer, Rainbow Quest). 3 wins from 1609m to 1621m, A$69,988, 1st Newbury Finest Surprise H., 3rd Ascot JLL H., Goodwood Casamigos H.
Vega Dawn (23f, Champs Elysees, Oasis Dream). 3 wins from 1300m to 2100m, A$28,256, 1st Milano Premio Schiranna
High Authority (23g, Not a Single Doubt, Anabaa). 2 wins from 1200m to 1400m, A$87,200, 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, A$48,852, 1st York Sky Bet Price Boosts H.
Fontein Jewel (23c, Turffontein, Octagonal). 2 wins from 1100m to 1420m, A$200,565, 1st VRC TAB 2YO H., 2nd Swan Hill JC VOBIS Gold Elvstroem 2YO Classic, 4th VRC Taj Rossi Series Final H., L
Coral Cove (24f, Fastnet Rock, Royal Applause). 2 wins from 1408m to 1609m, A$70,176, 1st York Buy Irish 2yo S., 2nd Doncaster British Stallion Studs 2YO Maiden S.
Night Patrol (23g, Bertolini, Siberian Express). Winner at 1408m, A$34,198, 1st Newbury Metro Rod Pump 2YO S., 3rd York Coral Daily Reward Nursery
Secret Santa (23c, Redback, Aragon). Winner at 1207m, A$40,432, 1st Ascot Hospitality H., 3rd Newbury Starlight 2YO Maiden S.
Possessive (24g, Siyouni, Acclamation). Winner at 1207m, A$25,967, 1st York Tomahawk EBF Restricted Novice S.
Vega Vixen (23f, Deep Field, Exceed and Excel). Winner at 1000m, A$55,500, 1st MRC Evergreen Turf 2YO H., 3rd VRC TAB 2YO H.
Fighting Tears (24f, Blame, Vindication). Winner at 1207m, A$27,789, 1st Curragh Irish 2YO Maiden S.
Lucky Brook (23f, Hinchinbrook, Viscount). Winner at 1000m, A$107,500, 1st MRC Sportsbet 2YO H.
Prestige Lucky (22g, Hard Spun, Xaar). Winner at 1050m, A$27,300, 1st SAJC Thomas Farms Maiden P.
Elizabeth Joy (22f, Mastercraftsman, Soviet Lad). 6 wins from 1200m to 1650m, A$14,751
Wild Thoughts (23g, Oratorio, Bluebird). 5 wins from 1408m to 2011m, A$98,250, 2nd Newbury Betvictor H., 3rd Doncaster Pertemps Network H.
Zavega (22f, Galileo, Mark of Esteem). 5 wins from 800m to 1000m, A$64,350
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, A$77,207, 2nd Epsom Lester Piggott H.
Prestige Gundy (22g, Snitzel, Zabeel). 4 wins from 1250m to 1410m, A$73,425
Insiena (23c, Tiznow, Pulpit). 4 wins from 1500m to 1950m, A$24,562
Lucky Lass (22f, Sky Mesa, Broad Brush). 3 wins from 1000m to 1100m, A$77,860
Lucky Hero (23g, New Approach, Selkirk). 3 wins from 1408m to 2012m, A$62,355, 2nd Sandown Bet With BetMGM Nursery
Don Torkdahl (23c, High Chaparral, Turtle Island). 3 wins from 1400m to 2200m, A$22,367
Magic Merlin (22g, Bradbury’s Luck, Street Cry). 3 wins from 1500m to 1700m, A$72,975
Mighty Vega (23g, Rahy, Unfuwain). 3 wins from 1207m to 1409m, A$41,469
Vega’s Virtue (23f, Iffraaj, Pivotal). 3 wins from 1603m to 1609m, A$29,912
Lope Spirit (23c, Invincible Spirit, Machiavellian). 3 wins from 1200m to 1600m, A$28,624
Sponars (22g, Street Cry, Pulpit). 2 wins from 900m to 1350m, A$106,525, 2nd ATC Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines H., 3rd ATC Asahi Dry H.
I’m Lucky Two (22g, Shocking, Charge Forward). 2 wins from 870m to 1000m, A$43,520
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