LOPE De Vega will stand at a fee of €200,000 for 2026, up from €175,000 this year.

One again the world's leading stallion in terms of the number of stakes horses for 2025, Lope De Vega heads a roster of five stallions at Ballylinch Stud and there are no changes to the line-up for next season.

Releasing news of the stud fees, Ballylinch managing director John O'Connor said: of Lope De Vega: "His remarkable consistency and versatility across continents continue to inspire confidence in breeders and buyers alike, which is reflected in his outstanding sales results. As in 2025, he will again cover a strictly limited book of mares in 2026.”

The covering fee for New Bay stays steady at €75,000. “His 2025 crop of three-year-olds included Group 1 winner Bay City Roller and produced more group performers than Sea The Stars, Mehmas, or Siyouni, a remarkable feat given they were conceived off a modest €20,000 fee," O'Connor said.

"There is also much to look forward to from his two-year-olds, including the highly rated and unexposed Yazin, Bay Of Brilliance and Parade Bay, who, among others, have shown classic potential. With his best bred crops now hitting the track, 2026 looks set to be a defining year where he can confirm his place among Europe’s elite proven sires.”

Prix du Jockey Club winner Look De Vega covered 195 mares in his first season at Ballylinch and his fee stays at €20,000. O'Connor said: "His excellent fertility ensures he will have a large first crop of well-bred foals. He has been given every opportunity to succeed - indeed, perhaps the best start of any stallion to stand at Ballylinch, even surpassing the early support received by his own sire, Lope De Vega.”

There's no change wither for Group 1-winning miler Bayside Boy (by New Bay) who will have his first runners next year. “Bayside Boy had an excellent first crop of yearlings at the sales," said O'Connor. "It was notable how many good judges were impressed with what they saw, and many are now in the care of top trainers. To my eye, they are strong and very active with great minds. It will be no surprise if his first runners make an immediate impact on the track in 2026, and I expect many shrewd breeders will support him this season.”

Make Believe gets a little increase next year, his fee rising from €8,000 to €10,000. O'Connor said: "Make Believe continues to deliver exceptional value for breeders. His blacktype strike-rate remains the envy of stallions at much higher fees, and trainers consistently praise the honesty and toughness of his progeny.

"With two Group 1 winners in 2025, he represents a genuine opportunity to breed a high-class performer at an accessible level and gives a young mare every chance to succeed at stud.”

BALLYLINCH STUD FEES FOR 2026

STALLION 2026 (2025)

Bayside Boy €12,500 (Same)

Look De Vega €20,000 (Same)

Lope De Vega €200,000 (€175,000)

Make Believe €10,000 (€8,000)

New Bay €75,000 (Same)