Fastnet Rock Stayer Might Be Headed Back for Second Melbourne Cup

Tara Madgwick - Sunday September 1

Seventh in the Melbourne Cup last year, the Willie Mullins trained French bred Fastnet Rock stayer Absurde may have booked his ticket back to Australia for a second tilt at the Melbourne Cup following a strong win in the Listed Chester Stakes (1m6 ½ f) overnight.

The six year-old Fastnet Rock gelding won at the Cheltenham Jumping Festival earlier this year and was a last start fourth in the Group III Irish St Leger Trial.

Ridden by Daniel Tudhope, he surged clear to win by a length and a quarter taking his overall record to six wins and eight placings from 21 starts with this victory his first in a Black Type race.

 

Absurde and his faithful strapper Emilie Seigle were media favourites in Melbourne last year and she was by his side for this victory as well.

 

Bred by Wertheimer Et Frere, Absured was initially raced in France by the Wertheimers before he was offered in the Arqana Deauville Summer Mixed Sale in 2022 where he was bought by PB Bloodstock/ H Kirk / Willie Mullins for €260,000.

He is the best of five winners from stakes-placed Singspiel mare Incroyable from the family of Group I winner Juvenia.

The 194th stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock, Absurde might not be the best of his offspring to ever race, but he’s probably the one that has won over the longest trip with his wins running out to 4000m!

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
About Time Chasing G3 Avondale Cup - Half-Brother for Inglis Easter
The Lance Noble-trained About Time will be rewarded for her consistent run of form with a tilt at stakes level for the first time in more than a year when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday.
Breeders Cup Turf Mile Winner To Stand At Yulong In 2025
Yulong is delighted to announce the acquisition of G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile winner More Than Looks, who will join their Victorian roster in 2025.
Bargain Hellbent Filly Heading For Black Type
Legendary trainer Les Bridge can make something special out of a horse and will likely tackle stakes grade with his up and coming bargain Hellbent filly Scintilla after making it three in a row on Wednesday.
Star mares confirmed among early entries for Chairman's Sale
Entries for the 2025 Inglis Chairman’s Sale – a world class boutique auction for elite breeding stock – are now open.
Star Turn's Beauty Destiny On Fire in HK
The penny has well and truly dropped for Star Turn’s Beauty Destiny, winning his fourth race in five starts at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Playing God Youngster Sets Colt Record in Perth
The all time record price for a colt at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale was broken on Thursday with a youngster by Playing God topping proceedings when selling for $450,000.
New Record Priced Colt Early at MM Perth
A new record price for a colt at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling was set early on Day One which was also a new record for a colt by his sire Playing God.
Aussie So You Think Raider Kicks Of NZ Derby Tilt on Saturday
Expatriate Kiwi trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are hoping for a case of third time lucky with their staying three-year-old Thedoctoroflove.
Fastnet Rock's Absurde Keep Frankie's Melbourne Cup Dream Alive
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.
Breednet on Tour – All Things Cambridge Stud
When my daughter Jasmine was given the task of taking Konasana to New Zealand by her boss Chris Waller it was originally proposed as a likely 10 day trip, but when the Dundeel mare won the $500,000 Group II Westbury Stud Classic on Karaka Million night, plans changed and long story short, Jasmine is still there and will be until next month so I’ve grabbed the opportunity for a working holida