LUCKY Vega will stand at the Irish National Stud for 2022.

Winner of the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes last year and placed in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the son of Lope De Vega took early retirement this year to stand in Australia.

Irish National Stud CEO Cathal Beale said: “This is a great opportunity for the INS to offer our breeders a stallion with all the attributes they are looking for.

“Lucky Vega was fast and precocious, trained on at three and is a horse with excellent movement and presence. He is by the great Lope De Vega, who was the leading grossing stallion at Tattersalls Book 1 this year. His grandam was a Group 1 winner and his yearling brother looks exceptional, selling for €630,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale.”

Jessica Harrington added: “Lucky Vega was always a pleasure to train and took his work very well. He had great balance, power and speed. I look forward to training his sons and daughters and I think he has all the credentials to make into a high-class stallion.”

Lucky Vega raced for owner Zhang Yuesheng who is supporting the horse at stud. His bloodstock manager Michael Donohoe said: “Mr Zhang has obviously reinvested in this family, showing the huge belief he has in Lucky Vega. He will be strongly supporting him at stud over the coming years. With his amazing blend of class and speed we believe Lucky Vega will produce precocious animals with great movement just like him.”

A stud fee for Lucky Vega will be announced at a later date.