Lucky Vega
Lope de Vega (IRE) x Queen of Carthage (USA), by Cape Cross (IRE)
2018
15.3hh
FEE: TBC
GST inclusive
champion victorian first season sire 24/25
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.
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-Priced Yearlings
Media
Lucky Vega
1:02
1:29
1:29
Pedigree
Lucky Vega’s Leading Progeny
WITHIN THE LAW (22f, Dundeel, Red Ransom). 3 wins from 1000m to 1200m, A$1,699,200, 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, ATC Inglis 2YO Millennium (R), L, 3rd ATC Percy Sykes S., Gr.2
THAT’S GOLD (22c, Sebring, Exceed and Excel). 2 wins at 1400m, A$88,215, 1st Auckland TR Bonecrusher S., Gr.3, 3rd Waikato TR Hallmark Stud 2YO S., 4th Auckland TR Counties Challenge S., L
LAM YAI (23f, Invincible Spirit, Forty Niner). 2 wins from 1006m to 1209m, A$111,692, 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). 3 wins from 1200m to 1400m, A$41,678, 1st Hannover Youngster Fillies Cup, L
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.
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
Golden Vega (23c, Manduro, Gilded Time). Winner at 1600m, A$21,558, 3rd Milano Premio Campobello, L
Luna Vega (23f, Dansili, Oasis Dream). Placed, A$26,100, 3rd VRC Maribyrnong P., Gr.3
Storm Away (22g, Street Cry, Redoute’s Choice). 2 wins from 1000m to 1200m, A$91,420, 1st WATC Quayclean P., WATC Bisley Workwear Maiden P., 2nd WATC PKF Perth P.
Night Patrol (23c, Bertolini, Siberian Express). Winner at 1408m, A$31,650, 1st Newbury Metro Rod Pump 2YO S., 3rd York Coral Daily Reward Nursery
Lope Spirit (23c, Invincible Spirit, Machiavellian). 3 wins from 1200m to 1600m, A$28,624
King Cooper (23c, Lawman, Red Ransom). 2 wins from 1200m to 1400m, A$49,501, 3rd Jägersro Jockeyklubbens Auktionslöpning
I’m Lucky Two (22g, Shocking, Charge Forward). 2 wins from 870m to 1000m, A$33,400
Prestige Gundy (22g, Snitzel, Zabeel). 2 wins from 1250m to 1265m, A$36,800
Lost Signal (23c, Galileo, Danehill). 2 wins from 1207m to 1481m, A$21,846
Nepo Baby (22f, Written Tycoon, Commands). 2 wins at 1100m, A$34,500
Boiling Over (23c, Galileo, King’s Best). Winner at 1408m, A$52,618, 2nd York Coral Daily Reward Nursery, 4th Newbury Horris Hill S., Gr.3
Abundant (23c, Danehill Dancer, Rainbow Quest). Winner at 1621m, A$16,222
Eclair Lane (23f, Medicean, Montjeu). Winner at 1200m, A$22,608
Vegameister (22g, Zoustar, Secret Savings). Winner at 1000m, A$28,190
Insiena (23c, Tiznow, Pulpit). Winner at 1500m, A$10,939
Rawalpindi Express (23g, Monsun, Barathea). Winner at 1566m, A$16,065
Hengroin (23c, Zamindar, Darshaan). Winner at 1411m, A$17,575
Lucky Lass (22f, Sky Mesa, Broad Brush). Winner at 1000m, A$22,600
Miss Lyra (22f, I Am Invincible, Charge Forward). Winner at 1200m, A$32,225
Miss Alti (23f, Fastnet Rock, Kingmambo). Winner at 1370m
Elizabeth Joy (22f, Mastercraftsman, Soviet Lad). Winner at 1400m
Graphic Sight (22g, High Chaparral, Zabeel). Winner at 1100m, A$30,450
Poatan (23c, Intidab, Diesis). Winner at 1218m, A$100,191, 3rd Doncaster Weatherbys Scientific 2YO S.
Lucky Mama (22f, Helmet, Encosta de Lago). Winner at 1400m
Arizona Luck (22f, Redoute’s Choice, Pilsudski). Winner at 1200m, A$34,310
Loz Vegas (23c, Archipenko, Galileo). Winner at 1609m, A$12,980
Echo of Faith (23g, Lawman, Galileo). Winner at 1509m, A$21,642
Mighty Vega (23g, Rahy, Unfuwain). Winner at 1207m, A$11,202
Solo Vega (22f, Not a Single Doubt, Hussonet). Winner at 1200m, A$20,420
Kindergarten (23f, Galileo, Mujadil). Winner at 1171m, A$16,006
Jungle Ruler (23g, Dansili, Galileo). Winner at 1408m, A$26,677
Sky Rim (23c, Night of Thunder, Salse). Winner at 1600m, A$14,232
Lucky Hero (23c, New Approach, Selkirk). Placed, A$29,139, 2nd Sandown Bet With BetMGM Nursery
Bellamano (23f, Galileo, Silver Hawk). Placed, A$27,643
Green Dame (23f, Diktat, Caerleon). Placed, A$14,743
Green Spring (22g, Bel Esprit, Danehill). Placed, A$17,600, 2nd BRC Breakfast With the Stars Maiden H., Ipswich TC Gordon’s Gin 2YO H.
Cortina d’Amprezzo (23f, Kodiac, Red Clubs). Placed, A$26,048, 3rd Curragh Irish 2YO Maiden S.
Sponars (22g, Street Cry, Pulpit). Placed, A$22,575
No One Else (22g, Galileo, Danehill Dancer). Placed, A$10,240
Mystery ‘n’ Drama (22f, Fastnet Rock, Galileo). Placed, A$17,985
Fashizlemanizle (22g, Redoute’s Choice, Rory’s Jester). Placed
Loma Express (23f, Stravinsky, Woodman). Placed
Now Maybe (23g, Declaration of War, Lemon Drop Kid). Placed
Glitter and Glory (23f, Fastnet Rock, Royal Applause). Placed
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