Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday November 5

The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.

A lightly raced colt trained by John and Thady Gosden, Military Academy was unraced at two before winning his first two starts in August and September.

He was then second in a Listed race and started favourite in this assignment, cruising home to win by more than three lengths.

 

Military Academy is expected to return even better in 2025.

“Military Academy started his career a little later than usual but has progressed with every start and is still learning. He's taken a step forward since Newmarket. He's got plenty of size and scope and hopefully he will mature over the winter for next year. He's run a few races in quick succession, so we'll leave him alone and bring him back next year,” said Thady Gosden.

Retained to race by his breeders Abdulla Al-Khalifa & Isa Salman, Military Academy is a half-brother to Group I winner Commissioning and is the second winner from blueblood winning Galileo mare Sovereign Parade, a full sister to Group I winner Capri, Group II winner Tower of London and Group III winners Passion and Cypress Creek.

He is the 195th stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock and is his 30th stakes-winner bred from a daughter of Galileo. The nick runs at 72.3% winner to runner and 18.8% SW to runner.

Fastnet Rock has two runners in the Melbourne Cup today.

Fastnet Rock is enjoying retirement at Coolmore Australia with his place on the roster taken by his young son Acrobat, whose first yearlings will sell in 2025.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
2YOs at Flemington - G3 Maribyrnong Plate Sale Mail
Juvenile racing will kick off Melbourne Cup day on Tuesday with an early start at 10.45am for the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) with nine colts and four fillies engaged.
Kiwi Mare Positivity Ready for Cup
Talented Kiwi mare Positivity will step out on the greatest stage for stayers at Flemington on Tuesday, when she contests the A$8 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Melbourne Cup Tips – Tara Talks Racing
Tara Talks Racing is now online having had a Sunday arvo drink or two as we go through the Cup horses, so what do Clocker and I like for this year’s Melbourne Cup?
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Sires With Winners - Sunday November 3
Here is the full list of 59 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.