LOPE Y FERNANDEZ will retire to The National Stud for the 2022 breeding season.
It has been announced that the high-class LOPE Y FERNANDEZ will retire to The National Stud for the 2022 breeding season.
The multiple Group 1 and Classic placed son of Lope De Vega was trained by Aidan O’Brien for the Coolmore partners, who will retain part ownership alongside new owners The National Stud, Whitsbury Manor Stud and Nick Bradley Racing.
As a two year old LOPE Y FERNANDEZ made an impressive winning debut at the Curragh before later gaining victory in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes over six furlongs at the same venue.
At three, LOPE Y FERNANDEZ was a model of consistency, achieving four placings at Group 1 level. Beginning his campaign with a third to Siskin in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (1m), he was subsequently narrowly beaten by Pinatubo in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat (7f) before taking a close third behind Space Blues in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest (6.5f).
LOPE Y FERNANDEZ ended his Classic season in the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile with a fast finishing third in which he had both Guineas winners, Kameko and Siskin in behind him. His efforts in 2020 saw him crowned Champion European Three Year Old Sprinter and earned him a Timeform rating of 120.
In 2021 LOPE Y FERNANDEZ began with a comfortable Listed success in the Heritage Stakes (1m) at Leopardstown, before putting up arguably his best performance when beating all bar the mighty Palace Pier in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes (1m) at Royal Ascot, again achieving a Timeform rating of 120.
Aidan O’Brien said: “LOPE Y FERNANDEZ was a lovely, easy moving horse with loads of speed. He was probably very comfortable with anything from six furlongs to one mile. He’s a great mover, has a great walk and a lovely mind.”
Bred by SF Bloodstock, and sold to M V Magnier for €900,000 at Arqana, LOPE Y FERNANDEZ is out of the Listed-placed Dansili mare Black Dahlia. He is a half-brother to the Group 2 Vintage Stakes scorer Dark Vision, and full brother to the multiple Listed placed Al Hayyah and the high class Liffey River.
Tim Lane, Managing Director of The National Stud, commented: “LOPE Y FERNANDEZ is a hugely-exciting addition to our stallion roster at The National Stud. He is an exceptionally good looking individual and has a stand-out pedigree. I am a big fan of Lope De Vega and we are delighted to be standing his first son in the UK.”
His fee will be announced at a later date and a limited number of Breeding Rights will be available.
About The National Stud
The National Stud has been an integral part of the British thoroughbred industry for over 100 years. Alongside breeding services, it also offers specialist training for stud staff and public tours.
The National Stud was acquired by The Jockey Club in 2008 and under its ownership quickly gained a reputation for excellence.
Its objectives are simple:
– To provide a first class range of comprehensive breeding services to our clients. – Train the next generation of industry leaders through our stud staff training. – Raise interest and knowledge in the thoroughbred industry with our public tours.
