Some older stallions gradually fade away, but that’s not the case for Coolmore’s perennial favourite Fastnet Rock, who turns 20 this year and has sired more Australian stakes-winners this season than any other sire.
His tally of 14 Australian stakes-winners includes Group I winner Personal and three juvenile stakes-winners in O’President, Acrobat and Sneaky Five, also let’s not forget his two New Zealand Group I winners Avantage and Rocket Spade.
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The other stallions on the list are the usual suspects, but the emergence of Shamus Award as a serious stakes sire has been one of the features of the 2020/2021 racing season.
The Cox Plate winning son of Snitzel started his stud career at Widden Stud, before switching to Rosemont Stud in Victoria when his support from Hunter Valley breeders dwindled.
Shamus Award has not looked back with his progeny hitting their straps as three year-olds with many showing good distance aptitude putting them firmly in the Classic picture.
His nine stakes-winners this season include three Group I winners – two Oaks winners in Duais and Media Award, plus Group I MRC Toorak Handicap winner Mr Quickie, who won the Queensland Derby at three.
Standing at a fee of $33,000 this spring, Shamus Award is certainly the value sire on the list above.
