LOPE De Vega, Europe’s leading first season sire in prize money terms, will command a covering fee of €40,000 next year, up from €12,500 this year.

Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes winner Belardo was one of four group race winners sired by the Ballylinch Stud sire in 2015. His stock was in demand at the recent yearling sales too, fetching prices of 650,000gns, €300,000 and €270,000.

Ballylinch managing director John O’Connor said: “The stud has had a great year and it seems our investment in stallions over the past five to six years is starting to pay off. We’ve made some good partnerships and breeders know that we support our own stallions strongly with mares. Lope De Vega has had a marvellous season. In addition to his stakes horses he has a few very exciting maiden winners, including Flaming Spear, Endless Drama and Consort.”

Trained by Andre Fabre, Lope De Vega emulated his sire Shamardal (by Giant’s Causeway) in winning the French 2000 Guineas and Derby. O’Connor confirmed that the horse is fully booked for next season.

Ballylinch has high hopes that Dream Ahead will be its next first season star. The five-time Group 1 winner remains on a fee of €15,000 next year following a sales season which saw his yearlings sold average approximately €90,000.

Lawman, another French Derby winner, remains on €25,000. His two stars on the track this year were Woodwine Grade 1 winner Just The Judge and Eddie Lynam’s Group 2 winner Agnes Stewart. “His later crops have been much stronger than his first ones, so the best is definitely yet to come,” said O’Connor.

Intense Focus, the second leading first crop season sire of 2013 in prizemoney terms, sees his fee drop from €10,000 to €7,000.

Ballylinch has a strong National Hunt tradition and was home to the late King’s Theatre, a multiple champion sire. Taking his place at Ballylinch is Beat Hollow, who will stand at €6,000 next season, down €500. O’Connor said: “Beat Hollow is getting a lot of King’s Theatre’s mares.”

BALLYLINCH STUD 2015 FEES

Stallion 2015 (2014)

Beat Hollow €6,000 (€6,500)

Dream Ahead €15,000 (Same)

Intense Focus €7,000 (€10,000)

Lawman €25,000 (Same)

Lope De Vega €40,000 (€12,500)

All October 1st terms