Patinack Farm shuttler Lope De Vega has had his first mare scanned in foal at Ballylinch Stud.  The G1 winning son of Shamardal retired to the Irish nursery after a record-breaking three year-old season in 2010.

The first foal in foal is Melatonina (King Charlemagne), a half-sister to Prix Eugene Adam winner and sire Look Honey.  It’s also the family of G1 winner Changeintheweather who stands at Merlo Downs in Queensland.

Lope De Vega emulated his sire Shamardal by completing the French 2000 – Derby double last year.  His first book of mares includes the dam of Arc de Triomphe and King George winner Hurricane Run (Montjeu).  Another prized mare to visit him this year is Borgia (Acatenango).  She defeated the colts in the 1997 G1 German Derby and signed off with a G2 victory in the 2009 Hong Kong Vase.

Lope de Vega was raced by owner-breeder Dietrich von Boetticher.  He also campaigned Hurricane Run who was runner-up to Shamardal in their edition of the French Derby.  He made a successful start to his stud career in Europe last year.

Lope De Vega will stands at Patinack Farm’s Richmond Grove property in Sandy Hollow.