News - FASTNET ROCK (AUS)

It doesn’t carry Black Type, but it is worth a lot of money and the $1million ATC Bondi Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday was won by Fastnet Rock colt Hilal, who was a last start Group II winner.

The Group II ATC Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Randwick on Saturday produced a great finish with quality Fastnet Rock colts Hilal and Coastwatch duelling hard to the line with just half a length between them at the post.

Talented Fastnet Rock filly Sneaky Five kept her record at a perfect three for three when resuming from a lengthy spell at Caulfield on Saturday to win the Group III MRC Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m).

Spendthrift Farm dipped its toe in the water in Australia at the 2014 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale with the purchase of a colt and two fillies.

Two blue-blood fillies by champion sire Fastnet Rock fought out the finish of the 1200m maiden at Wyong on Thursday and there will be more wins in store for both.

Nine-time Group One winner Avantage has fetched a whopping $4.1 million when sold to Tom Magnier of global breeding giant Coolmore via New Zealand Bloodstock’s online platform Gavelhouse Plus.

Nine-time Group One winner Avantage, whose racing career was brought to a sudden halt on Friday after suffering a tendon injury, will be sold through New Zealand Bloodstock’s Gavelhouse Plus in an online auction that starts on Sunday 19 September and finishes at 7pm New Zealand time on Wednesday 22 September.

Nine-time Group One winner Avantage has been retired from racing after suffering a tendon injury.

Quality Fastnet Rock colt Ranch Hand has always given the impression he would be better at three and that would seem to be the case as he stormed home to beat race favourite Ingratiating at Flemington on Saturday to win the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes (1100m).

The colours of Ron and Judy Wanless were carried to victory in impressive style at Pakenham on Tuesday by a Fastnet Rock colt from the family of their prized Group I winner Lights of Heaven.

Hawkes Racing have a big team of talented three year-olds running this spring and we can add this Fastnet Rock gelding to the list following his dominant win at Bendigo on Friday.

Exciting Fastnet Rock three year-old Coastwatch was narrowly beaten last start in the Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes and made amends when going back to Kembla on Saturday to score a stylish victory in the Group III ATC Ming Dynasty Stakes (1400m).

Connections of star mare Avantage have opted to keep the six-year-old on home soil as she works towards a start in the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate (1200m) which will be run at Te Rapa on Saturday, pending an Alert Level downgrade on Friday.

Group I winning Fastnet Rock mare Nechita topped the 2013 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale when selling for $1.55 million to Coolmore and she produced her first stakes-winner overnight when four year-old mare Forbearance captured the Listed Galtres Stakes (1m4f).

The famed Fastnet Rock  x Galileo cross has produced numerous Group I winners in Europe and Australasia and it has worked again to produce progressive filly Star Devine, who claimed her first Black type victory in the $120,000 Galway Stakes (5 ½ f) at Saratoga on Sunday.

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike will be keeping a close eye on the weather ahead of racing at Te Rapa on Saturday where Group One winner Sherwood Forest is set to kick-off his spring preparation in the Super Seth & Waikato Stud Mile (1600m).

The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick is one of the best there is and it produced a new stakes-winner in France overnight when the Coolmore owned filly Joie de Soir captured the Listed Grand Prix de Clairefontaine – Prix Ferme Saint-Simeon (1m4f).

Champion sire Fastnet Rock had an eye-catching two year old winner at Saratoga on Thursday that scored a dominant debut victory on the turf.

Champion sire Fastnet Rock has had a productive season with his two year-olds adding a tenth juvenile winner to the tally on Tuesday when talented filly Testa Rock overcame appalling conditions to salute at Ballarat.

Fastnet Rock has a strong hand with two top chances at Royal Ascot on Thursday while Rosemont Stud will be eagerly watching the four runners for Starspangledbanner.