News - FASTNET ROCK (AUS)
The win of Zougotcha in the $1million Group I ATC Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill last Saturday was a significant one for her broodmare sire Fastnet Rock as it gave him the kick he needed to dislodge Encosta de Lago from the top of the Australian Broodmare Sires List.
Yulong had no joy in Australia with their expensive acquisition Alcohol Free, but may have a better experience with Fastnet Rock’s Group I winning daughter Via Sistina (IRE), who they purchased for 2.7million guineas at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year.
Not ready to become a mum after missing to I Am Invincible last spring, the Fastnet Rock mare Passive Aggressive returned to the track to defend her title in Saturday’s Group II Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick.
There is a changing of the guard looming on the Australian Broodmare Sires List with Fastnet Rock poised to pounce on division leader Encosta de Lago and the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes this Saturday holds the key.
The strapping Fastnet Rock 3-year-old Subsix returned from a 15-week break as a gelding to open his winning account in the $75,000 Sportsbet Future Stars Series Heat 4 Maiden at Pakenham on Thursday night and book a place in the $300,000 Sportsbet Future Stars Series Final on February 29.
Tasmanian star galloper The Inevitable was expected to win the $125,000 Listed Conquering Stakes (1400m) at Launceston on Wednesday evening, but the eight year-old son of Dundeel couldn’t overhaul 25-1 shot Indispensable, who credited champion sire Fastnet Rock with yet another stakes-winner as a broodmare sire.
The Group 1 winner TEONA, offered in foal to FRANKEL, became the third highest priced mare ever to be sold at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale when realising 4,500,000 guineas, while Group I winning mares by champion Australian sires Fastnet Rock and Zoustar sold for 2million guineas plus.
They started their life being trained by Chris Waller and former stablemates Straight Arron and Sword Point ran the quinella in the Group II BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Veteran galloper Gino Severini capped off some consistent form of late with a determined performance to take out the Gr.2 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.
The impressive Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner VIA SISTINA is to be offered at the forthcoming Tattersalls December Mares Sale which will take place from December 4th - 7th. Trained by George Boughey for Becky Hillen, the five-year-old mare joins a stellar line up in the second edition of the Sceptre Sessions, which will be held on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th December.
Champion sire Fastnet Rock had a Group II winner on Saturday in France where his quality miler Poker Face took out the Prix Daniel Wildenstein (1600m) at Longchamp and at Sandown on Sunday he sired a promising three year-old filly that has her trainer Grahame Begg hatching a plan that ends with the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas on November 18.
Australian triple Group I winning Fastnet Rock mare Sea Siren is back at Coolmore Australia enjoying the spring with a new foal by Home Affairs, while her high class daughter Warm Heart has been racing up a storm in Europe winning the Group I Yorkshire Oaks last month and in France on Sunday she took the Group I Prix Vermeille (2400m) at Longchamp.
Beautiful spring weather at Coolmore on Sunday was enjoyed by a big crowd in attendance for the annual stallion parade with legendary sire Fastnet Rock the first into the ring followed by his heir apparent.
Absurde is likely to line up in the Melbourne Cup alongside stablemate and ruling favourite Vauban after the son of Fastnet Rock earned a golden ticket with his win in the £500,000 Ebor Hcp at York, to the delight of fans of Frankie Dettori.
The Group I Yorkshire Oaks (1m4f) at York overnight delivered a rare trifecta for legendary sire Galileo with Warm Heart producing a tenacious display to claim victory and credit her Australian bred dam Sea Siren with her first Group I winner.
One of the star Coolmore mares that will be covered this spring in Australia by St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) is Fastnet Rock’s Group I MRC Thousand Guineas winning daughter Amicus and she produced a promising two year-old winner by Galileo at Leopardstown in Ireland overnight.
There were a lot of super expensive mares sold at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, but one that looked well bought at the time was the half-sister to five time Group I winner Imperatriz that was snapped up by boutique Hunter Valley nursery Cressfield for $460,000.
The all conquering nick between champion sires Fastnet Rock and Galileo struck again overnight with a new stakes-winner in the UK when four year-old gelding Poker Face won the Listed Pomfret Stakes (1m) at Pontefract.
Former Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Sherwood Forest made his first public appearance this year at the Foxton trials on Tuesday and he pleased trainer Bill Thurlow with his hit-out.
Australian bred triple Group I winning Fastnet Rock mare Sea Siren was making international news last month when her classy three year-old Galileo filly Warm Heart won the Group II Royal Ascot Ribblesdale and overnight in Ireland that filly’s younger full brother opened his account with an impressive maiden win.