3 minute read
Lucky Vega hands Yulong their first Group 1 winner
Ballylinch Stud-based sire Lope De Vega (Shamardal) was handed his 11th Group 1 winner on Sunday as his son Lucky Vega (2 c ex Queen Of Carthage by Cape Cross) showed an impressive burst of speed to win the Phoenix Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) at the Curragh.
Raced by Yulong Investments, who were enjoying the first ever Group 1 winner, Lucky Vega broke his maiden on debut at Naas on June 8 and was last seen finishing second in the Railway Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) on July 18.
However, there was no mistaking the winner on Sunday, with the colt scampering away to post three and a half length victory Aloha Star (Starspangledbanner), while The Lir Jet (Prince Of Lir) came home another short-head way in third. The placings for second and third were reversed, with the stewards deeming Aloha Star shifted and caused The Lir Jet interference.
“He was good. That’s Mr (Yuesheng) Zhang’s first Group One winner worldwide. I’m absolutely delighted for the horse and it’s great for Mr Zhang,” Harrington said.
“He’s a nice horse going forward and Shane [Foley, jockey] said he’s getting quicker. He probably needed it the last day because he had won his maiden without getting into a battle. The last day when he got into a bit of a battle it just hardened him up.
“He was much more streetwise and on his work at home he had really started to come to himself.
“We thought he was working well, but you never know until you go racing and everyone said this was a strong renewal.”
Harrington nominated the Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) as a possible option for the son of Lope De Vega (Shamardal).
“We’ll have to sit down and think now, but Shane said we’d probably be thinking about the Middle Park. I think he’ll get seven as well,” said Harrington.
“Last year was all about the fillies, so it’s great this year to come up with a good colt.”
Purchased for €110,000 at the 2018 Goffs Ireland November Foal Sale, the colt was then purchased for €175,000 by BBA Ireland and Yulong Investments Goffs Ireland Orby Yearling Sale.
Lucky Vega is one of three winners out of the unraced Cape Cross (Green Desert) mare Queen Of Carthage, who is herself a three-quarters sister to Important Time (Oasis Dream), with the pair being out of Prix de l'Opera (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Satwa Queen (Muhtathir).
Satwa Queen herself is a half-sister to Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Spadoun (Kaldoun) and Listed winner Anbella (Common Grounds).
Lope De Vega’s progeny is headed by 11 Group 1 winners, including Australian elite level scorers Santa Ana Lane, Vega Magic and Gytrash, while he is represented in the southern hemisphere by his son Belardo, who will stand at Haunui Farm in 2020.
Impressive!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 9, 2020
Lucky Vega travels like a winner all the way and scoots to Group 1 glory in the @keeneland Phoenix Stakes for Shane Foley and @Jessica_Racing
Results & free replays https://t.co/GI57hUtDeF pic.twitter.com/71imfsUfc9
