New Aussie Fastnet Rock Stakes-Winner in South Africa

Tara Madgwick - Sunday May 20
Fastnet Rock was in hot form on Saturday with a new Group I winner in Comin' Through as well as a new stakes-winner in South Africa with progressive mare Ngaga taking out the Listed East Coast Cup at Greyville.

As a half-sister to 2011 South African Horse of the Year Igugu, four year-old Ngaga has always had a lot to live up to, but has proven more than useful with four wins from nine starts, this success her first Black Type victory.

Trained by Andre Nel, she won the 2000 metre feature by a length and a half as favourite.

Fastnet RockNgaga was a $250,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Kia Ora Stud draft for James Bester Bloodstock and runs for his long-time client Mrs Sabine Plattner.

"This filly was a 'stand-out' on physique - a big, strong, good-moving Fastnet Rock filly with a lot of quality," James Bester recalled.

"Her front legs, however, left a little to be desired, which put buyers off her at Easter.

"I thought she was a near-million-dollar filly if legs had been perfect, so was happy enough to buy her 'on spec' at the heavily-discounted reserve price.

"I offered her to Sabine Plattner (for whom I'd previously bought the likes of Laisserfaire, Joie de Grise, more recently Acrostar, etc.). Sabine and her trainer Andre Nel were unhesitating in snapping her up and now with Black Type on her resume she has proven an astute purchase."

Bred by Kia Ora, Ngaga is the fifth winner from Zarinia (IRE), who in addition to producing four-time Group I winner Igugu has also left Group III winner Honorius and Group III placed Sweet Fire.

Kia Ora sold a Deep Field filly from Zarinia at Inglis Easter this year for $300,000 to Belmont Bloodstock Agency and she has a colt by All Too Hard to follow.

Ngaga is the 137th stakes-winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Inglis Digital Purchase Iron Hawk to Tackle G3 TAB Mile
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
Milestone for Fastnet Rock
Champion sire Fastnet Rock clocked up his 100th Graded stakes-winner at the weekend in the US when five year-old entire Desert Stone captured the Group II San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita.
Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale
The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.
One to Watch – Mornington
A homebred for Seymour Bloodstock with an intriguing pedigree opened her account with a stylish win at Mornington on Tuesday.
Doing Time Wins $100,000 Sprinters Challenge at Riccarton
Lee Callaway shared many jockeys’ rooms with Chris Johnson throughout his riding career, so it was only fitting that the Waikouaiti trainer took out the inaugural running of the Chris Johnson Three-Year-Old Sprinters Challenge (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday with Doing Time.
Godolphin Make Their Move
The first two days at Magic Millions were without a Godolphin purchase, but they moved swiftly in the first hour of trade on Friday to secure two fillies by Fastnet Rock and Snitzel for $600,000 each.
Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week is Out of the Gate!
Celebrating 140 years of racing and thoroughbred culture, Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week presented by GROW Southern Highlands will span three weekends, from 19th November to 6th December.
Nicks That Click – Looks Like This One Has Worked Again
This nick involving two champion sires is well proven and documented with a two year-old winner last Saturday appearing as the latest example.
2027 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1881 entries for the 2027 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?