News - LONG LEAF (AUS)

A big crowd of excited racegoers flocked to opening day at Ascot, and they were treated to a super contest in the Listed three year old feature, the Listed WATC Max Simmonds Stakes.

Victorian breeders will have access to no fewer than nine new stallions in 2026.

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.

New Zealand ex-pat jockey James McDonald made a winning return to his favourite track on Saturday when he was able to ride home Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) to win the Karaka 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Having made the decision to bypass the Karaka Million, the Lindsay Park team has the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes firmly in its sights with the Fastnet Rock colt Long Leaf who kept his record at a perfect three for three in Saturday’s Listed Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) (1000m) at Caulfield.

The familiar navy blue Coolmore colours were carried to victory in the Listed MRC Merson Cooper Stakes at Sandown on Saturday by talented two year-old Fastnet Rock colt Long Leaf, a $750,000 NZB Premier purchase for BBA Ireland from the Curraghmore Stud draft.

Another good week for the column finding Saturday’s Maribyrnong Trial Stakes winner Nomothaj and a busy morning on Friday with some Group I horses stepping out.