Bayside Boy has seen his covering fee rise from €12,500 to €30,000, following a superb first season on the track for his progeny.

Standing at Ballylinch Stud, the Group 1-winning son of New Bay made an immediate impact with his first crop this year, siring 22 winners and six blacktype performers. He is the leading European first crop sire by both prize money and stakes winners. His first crop was headed by Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes winner Arapaho Gold, alongside Goffs Million winner Trean and listed winners Sale Shark and Belisa Bay. Some 10% of his runners have already achieved an official rating of over 100.

Ballylinch Stud manager John O'Connor said: "As a Group 1-winning miler who improved from two to three, Bayside Boy has every chance to build on this early success. With his progeny expected to progress further with age, he is poised for an even bigger year in 2027 and looks set to join the ranks of Europe’s leading stallions."

Lope De Vega remains at €200,000. O'Connor said: "Lope De Vega again confirmed himself as one of the world’s leading stallions in 2026. Over the past two seasons he has sired more European stakes horses than any other stallion worldwide, including six winners at Group 1 level. A new generation of talented two-year-olds emerged including three Group 1 horses headed by Fillies' Mile winner Musical Times. As in 2025 and 2026, he will again cover a strictly limited book of mares in 2027."

New Bay also stays steady at €75,000. O'Connor commented: "New Bay’s rise to the top of Europe’s stallion ranks continued in 2026, siring 13 stakes winners, led by 10-length Group 1 winner Bay City Roller.

"Having consistently exceeded expectations since his first runners appeared, he has become one of the most exciting and consistent sires around and currently sits in Europe’s top five sires by prize money.

"That success is matched by exceptional demand in the sales ring, where his yearlings sold for up to 700,000gns this season. His fee represents outstanding value, as his strongest books are only now beginning to make their presence felt on the racecourse. 2027 looks set to be a defining year.”

Ballylinch have trimmed Look De Vega's fee by 25% for 2027. "It has been a thrill to see the first foals by Lope de Vega's classic-winning son Look de Vega arrive this spring," O'Connor said. "They were conceived from an outstanding book of mares, arguably the strongest first crop ever assembled for a first season stallion at Ballylinch.

"Early reports from breeders have been overwhelmingly positive, with many top judges remarking on their exceptional athleticism. We look forward to seeing his first crop offered at the upcoming weanling sales at Goffs, Tattersalls and Arqana.”

Make Believe stays at €10,000. O'Connor commented: "Few stallions offer better value than Make Believe. His exceptional strike-rate in pattern races compares favourably with many stallions standing at multiples of his fee. Stakes winners across Ireland, Britain, France, Australia and North America in 2026 underlined the global appeal and the versatility of his progeny.

"Proven and affordable, he continues to provide breeders with an outstanding opportunity to produce high-class performers whilst also averaging 3.5 times his stud fee at the foal and yearling sales."

BALLYLINCH STUD FEES FOR 2027

Stallion Fee (2026)

Bayside Boy €30,000 (€12,500)

Look De Vega €15,000 (€20,000)

Lope De Vega €200,000 (same)

Make Believe €10,000 (same)

New Bay €75,000 (same)