A Closer Look at Fastnet Rock

Tara Madgwick - Thursday May 14

The ability to consistently sire Group I winners is the key attribute that sets a legendary sire apart from his peers and Fastnet Rock has that attribute in spades.

Fastnet Rock has been a phenomenal source of G1 winners! Coolmore’s champion sire Fastnet Rock is one of the few Australian bred stallions to achieve high levels of success in both hemispheres, his overall tally of 157 stakes-winners including 39 from his years of service in Ireland.

For the purposes of this story we will just look at his Australian conceived progeny that have excelled over all distances and jurisdictions making Fastnet Rock a phenomenal success both on the track and in the sale ring.

As a proven sire of sires, he has also enjoyed elite success with no fewer than six of his sire sons producing Group I winners led by Hinchinbrook, Foxwedge and Smart Missile, with his champion son Merchant Navy poised to write the next chapter in this part of the Fastnet Rock story.

Turning 19 this year, Fastnet Rock has done all that could be asked of a stallion and his fee this spring of $165,000 is value in the context of his exceptional record.

Fastnet Rock as had at least one Group I winner in every foal crop he has produced and in the case of his game changing third crop, he produced an astonishing six!

His current season two year-olds hold great promise for their classic season and include Group I placed colt Glenfiddich and Group I placed filly Personal, both looming as Guineas type contenders for the future.
 

Crop Year (SH)

Mares Covered / Service Fee

Stakes-Winners/ Best Performers

2006

208/ $55,000

13 SW’s / G1 Wanted, Irish Lights, Rock Classic

2007

194/ $55,000

8 SW’s / G1 Lone Rock

2008

257 / $55,000

13 SW’s / G1 Atlantic Jewel, Mosheen, Foxwedge, Sea Siren, Planet Rock, Rock ‘n’ Pop

2009

251 / $82,500

16 SW’s / G1 Super Cool, Nechita, Driefontein, Albany Reunion, Your Song

2010

273/ $60,500

15 SW’s / G1 Atlante

2011

188 / $137,500

11 SW’s / G1 First Seal, Amicus, Awesome Rock, Magicool

2012

224 / $132,000

8 SW’s / G1 Dreamforce

2013

208 / $220,000

11 SW’s / G1 Comin’ Through, Heroic Valour

2014

212 / $275,000

11 SW’s / G1 Shoals, Merchant Navy, Unforgotten, Catchy, Age of Fire

2015

189 / FOA

5 SW’s / G1 Avantage

2016

206 / FOA

5 SW’s / G1 Prince Fawaz, Sherwood Forest

2017

149/ FOA

2 SW’s / Rathlin, Unition

2018

163 / FOA

Yearlings

2019

119 / FOA

Foals

2020

98/ $165,000

Yet to be born


Click here for a Closer Look at Snitzel.
Click here for a Closer Look at Pierro.
Click here for a Closer Look at Exceed and Excel.
 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Shalaa Filly Puts Them to the Sword in $125,000 GC 1000
The Bjorn Baker trained Shalaa (IRE) filly Swordplay has a wing on every foot and she dazzled at the Gold Coast on Friday night when showing brilliant gate speed to lead throughout and win the $125,000 Evergreen Turf GC 1000 (1000m).
G3 Grand Prix Goal for Karaka Graduate
Gold Coast trainers Tony and Maddy Sears will be hoping talented filly Nightline can provide them with back-to-back winners of the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Russian Revolution Filly Chasing G2 Wakefield Challenge
Young talent Lara Antipova will be heavily in credit with Craig Grylls if she can carry him to victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham.
Australian Racing Industry wants a say in pattern dispute
For some time, the Australian racing industry has been seeking to have Racing Australia(RA) resolve the current impasse around the Australian Black Type rules and pattern.
Mega Maiden Bonus for Up-And-Comer Chilling Out (NZ)
A lucrative victory in Wednesday’s NZB Mega Maiden Series (1400m) at Ruakaka could be a stepping stone to bigger things for Chilling Out (NZ) (Savabeel).
Russian Revolution Filly Wins $250,000 Magic Millions Debut
At the Gold Coast on Friday night, Russian Revolution filly Lumbini started a warm favourite for the $250,000 Magic Millions Debut (1000m), but punters were looking decidedly anxious when the filly turned for home locked up on the fence behind the leaders.
Waller Targets G3 Grand Prix with Kiwi Bred 3YO
The Chris Waller-trained John Dory contests the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with the progressive galloper installed a $3 favourite for the three-year-old contest.
Stakes Potential for Hello Youmzain Filly
Attractiveness may be in line for an early black-type assignment following her breakthrough success at Gosford on Thursday.
G3 Eulogy Shines Spotlight On Emerging NZB Filly of the Year Contenders
Undefeated filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) has dominated the early stages of the 2025-26 NZB Filly of the Year Series, but the complexion of the series might start to change with this weekend’s fifth leg.
Magic Fillies Set to Clash in $250,000 MM Debut
Another piece of the Magic Millions puzzle will fall into place at the Gold Coast on Friday night with the running of the $250,000 Magic Millions Debut 2YO Plate (1000m) that features three well bred fillies from major stables that have been impressive at the trials.