BALLYLINCH Stud will not be increasing the covering fees for any of its five stallions in 2024.

Announcing the news on Thursday, Ballylinch managing director John O’Connor said: “The Ballylinch stallion roster had another flagship year in 2023, with our proven sires Lope de Vega, New Bay and Make Believe being responsible for some of the highest rated two-year-olds across Europe.

“Despite this success, and outstanding results in the sales ring for our stallions, we have listened to breeders in a year which saw sales returns experience significant retrenchment and have decided not to increase our fees for 2024.”

Lope De Vega, one of the world’s elite sires, stays at €125,000. O’Connor said: “Only Dubawi and Frankel had more stakes horses, worldwide progeny earnings or a higher Book 1 average. He has achieved success at the highest level on four different continents and is one of those rare sires who can truly be called a global success.

“His outstanding crop of two-year-olds this year promise even greater success in the future. Ever-popular at the sales, Lope De Vega’s yearlings averaged €270,000 and made up to 1,100,000gns”

New Bay’s fee doubled last year to €75,000 and stays at that level. “New Bay broke through to the top level with his first two crops, which are returning an excellent 17% blacktype horses-to-runners ratio,” O’Connor said.

“With three Group 1 two-year-olds, including the joint highest-rated colt in France and filly in Britain, his bright future seems assured. He has been one of the most popular young stallions in Europe for the past few seasons and this year’s yearlings averaged six and a half times their stud fee, making up to €1.65 million.”

Bayside Boy covered 134 mares in his first season at Ballylinch this year and his fee remains at €15,000.

Make Believe, sire of Mishriff from his first crop, has another couple of classic prospects for next year in André Fabre’s five-length listed winner Sajir and Paddy Twomey’s four-length Curragh debut winner Porters Place. He stays at €10,000 for next year.

Arc winner Waldgeist gets a 20% price drop to €10,000.

Ballylinch Stud fees for 2024

Stallion Fee (2023)

Lope De Vega €125,000 (€125,000)

New Bay €75,000 (€75,000)

Bayside Boy €15,000 (€15,000)

Make Believe €10,000 (€10,000)

Waldgeist €10,000 (€12,500)