Grassdale Pastoral is pleased to announce that multiple stakes-winning Fastnet Rock stallion LONG LEAF will stand at the property for the 2026 breeding season, providing Victorian breeders with access to one of the most credentialled sons of the legendary Coolmore sire standing outside the major commercial breeding centres.
The acquisition coincides with a new chapter for Grassdale, with the property recently changing hands after more than 150 years of ownership by the one family. The transition marks the beginning of a long-term vision to support and grow thoroughbred breeding in Gippsland and regional Victoria.
A dual stakes-winning juvenile and the winner of the $1 million Karaka 3YO Classic, Long Leaf was raced by a high-profile ownership group headed by Coolmore and Sir Peter Vela.
Trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, he won four races and amassed almost $950,000 in prizemoney, competing at the highest level throughout his two and three-year-old seasons.
By champion sire Fastnet Rock from the well-performed Stravinsky mare Frustrating, Long Leaf combines elite Australian speed with one of the most commercial sire lines of the modern era.
He was a $750,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale purchase and carried significant stallion expectations throughout his racing career.
Among his highlights were victories in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes and Listed Blue Diamond Preview as a two-year-old before his career-defining success in the Karaka 3YO Classic at Ellerslie under James McDonald. He was also Group-performed at three, placing in the Vain Stakes, Sandown Guineas and Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
Grassdale Pastoral Director and Highland Bloodstock Principal Christopher Constantine said Long Leaf represented an opportunity to offer breeders access to a proven commercial pedigree at a realistic price point.
“Long Leaf brings together many of the qualities regional breeders are searching for. He was an early-running two-year-old, a stakes-winning juvenile, a million-dollar race winner at three and he is by one of the great Australian stallions in Fastnet Rock,” Constantine said.
“We believe there is a significant opportunity to build a breeding operation in Gippsland that complements Victoria’s established breeding regions while providing local breeders with greater access and value. He is a proven producer of winners.”
Constantine said many of the characteristics that had made the Hunter Valley Australia’s premier breeding district were also present throughout Gippsland.
“When you look at the broader region, there are some remarkable similarities. Gippsland offers reliable rainfall, quality pasture production, a temperate climate and abundant land resources. The region has long supported elite livestock and equine enterprises, but remains underrepresented in the commercial thoroughbred sector.
“There is a strong base of horse people throughout eastern Victoria and we want to play a role in helping that industry grow.”
Grassdale intends to support breeders through a range of incentives designed to encourage participation from regional mare owners and emerging breeders, while also promoting Gippsland as a destination for thoroughbred investment.
Long Leaf will stand the 2026 season at Grassdale Pastoral, with further details regarding service fees, breeder incentives and parade dates to be announced in coming weeks.
Enquiries to:
Christopher Constantine
0438594351
chris@highlandadvisory.com.au
