Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}-Black Dahlia {GB}, by Dansili {GB}), a Group 3-winning 2-year-old who was five times Group 1-placed throughout his career, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at the National Stud in 2022. The Coolmore partners will retain part ownership alongside new owners The National Stud, Whitsbury Manor Stud and Nick Bradley Racing.
Bred by SF Bloodstock, Lope Y Fernandez was bought by MV Magnier for €900,000 at Arqana's August Yearling Sale in 2018. A debut winner at The Curragh in June of his 2-year-old campaign, Lope Y Fernandez finished second and third, respectively, behind Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal) in the Listed Chesham S. the G2 Vintage S. before returning to The Curragh to take the G3 Round Tower S. Third in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, Lope Y Fernandez would go on to place in the G1 Prix Jean Prat, G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and GI Breeders' Cup Mile at three. He won the Listed Heritage S. this year at four and picked up another top-level placing when second to Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G1 Queen Anne S.
“Lope Y Fernandez was a lovely, easy moving horse with loads of speed,” said trainer Aidan O'Brien. “He was probably very comfortable with anything from six furlongs to one mile. He's a great mover, has a great walk and a lovely mind.”
Out of the listed-placed Black Dahlia, Lope Y Fernandez is a half-brother to the G2 Vintage S. and G2 Kronimus Oettingen Rennen scorer Dark Vision (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).
Tim Lane, managing director of The National Stud, said, “Lope Y Fernandez is a hugely exciting addition to our stallion roster at The National Stud. He is an exceptionally good-looking individual and has a standout pedigree. I am a big fan of Lope De Vega and we are delighted to be standing his first son in the UK.”
Lope Y Fernandez's fee will be announced at a later date, and a limited number of breeding rights will be available.
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