FOURTEEN years ago, Lope De Vega contested the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Impeded by Duncan in running, he nonetheless disputed the lead in the straight, but there was to be no fairytale end to his racing career, and the André Fabre-trained son of Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) headed off to a new career at Ballylinch Stud in Co Kilkenny.

He stood for the first two seasons at €15,000, and this was trimmed to €12.500 for seasons three and four. What incredible value that was. Such was the impact of his first crop that Lope Be Vaga was jumped up to €40,000 for year five, and any movement has been upwards since, settling at €125,000 for the last four years. He is one of the world’s best sires, and year on year proves the point.