The familiar Yulong colours were carried to victory overnight in Ireland with exciting two year-old Lope de Vega colt Lucky Vega taking out the Group I Phoenix Stakes (6f) at The Curragh.
Trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Shane Foley, Lucky Vega won on debut at Naas un June before finishing second in the Group II Railway Stakes last month.
He rose to the challenge here, powering home from back in the field to win going away by three and a half lengths.
“He probably needed it the last day because he had won his maiden without getting into a battle. The last day, when he got into a bit of a battle, it just hardened him up. He was much more streetwise and on his work at home he had really started to come to himself,” said trainer Jessica Harrington.
“We thought he was working well but you never know until you go racing and everyone said this was a strong renewal of the Phoenix. We'll have to sit down and have a think about where to go now, but Shane said we should probably be thinking about the G1 Middle Park. I think he'll get seven as well.”
Lucky Vega was purchased as a foal for €110,000 at the Goffs November Sale, and changed hands again at the Orby Sale when bought by BBA Ireland and Yulong Investments for €175,000 from Baroda Stud.
He is the best of three winners from Queen of Carthage, an unraced half-sister by Cape Cross to stakes-winner Important Time from Group I winner Satwa Queen.
Lucky Vega is the 72nd stakes-winner and 11th Group I winner for Shamardal’s star sire son Lope de Vega, who was making news here recently as the covering sire for Group I winner Viddora, who made $2.55 million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
She was purchased by Yulong.
