After tracking the leaders he showed his inexperience as he hung to the left approaching the final furlong but kept on well to overtake the favoured Lipizzaner in the closing stages to win by half a length.

On 9 August, over the same course and distance, Lucky Vega was partnered by Foley in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and started the 4/1 second favourite behind the Aidan O'Brien-trained St Mark's Basilica.

Lucky Vega raced just behind the leaders before taking the lead inside the final furlong and drawing away to win "easily" by three and a half lengths and a short head from Aloha Star and The Lir Jet.

After racing in mid-division he was repeatedly blocked as he attempted to gain a clear run in the straight and came home fifth behind Thunder Moon, Wembley, St Mark's Basilica and Master of The Seas, beaten two and a half lengths by the winner.

He was in contention from the start and kept on strongly in the closing stages to take third place, beaten a short head and a neck by Poetic Flare and Master of The Seas in a closely-contested finish.

[13] Three weeks later the colt started 7/2 favourite for the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh but after losing his position two furlongs out he came home fourth behind Mac Swiney, Poetic Flare and Van Gogh.