Chief Stipe Posted 14 hours ago Posted 14 hours ago Vale Fastnet Rock www.racing.com Via Sistina’s sire Fastnet Rock, who has long been a global sensation as a stallion for Coolmore, has died at the age of 24 following an injury. The multiple group 1 winner by Danehill, who had been retired from stud duties in Australia just last year, suffered an injury over the weekend at Coolmore’s Hunter Valley base and was unable to be saved. “Sadly, earlier today our much-loved champion sire Fastnet Rock was humanely euthanized at Coolmore, his place of birth and home for the past 20 years,” said Coolmore Australia’s principal Tom Magnier in a media release. “In that time, Fastnet Rock forged a legacy that will see him recognised as one of the greatest stallions Australia has ever produced. “This is such a sad day for everyone who has worked at Coolmore and played a part in Fastnet’s life. Our thoughts today are with all the staff who cared for him over the past 24 years.” Fastnet Rock was a G1 winner of the 2005 Lightning Stakes and 2005 Oakleigh Plate before embarking on a stud career which saw him stand at Coolmore Australia for 19 seasons and at Coolmore Ireland where he shuttled for 11 straight seasons until 2021. He served Via Sistina’s Irish-bred dam Nigh in 2017 with Via Sistina being born in March of 2018. Magnier said Coolmore had a long attachment with the record-breaking stallion, who was Australia’s champion sire in seasons 2011/12 and 2014/15. “He was born and prepared as a yearling here at Coolmore and raced in the navy silks for Paul Perry and our ownership partners,” Magnier said. “Residing in the stallion barn for 20 years, he was the kindest and smartest horse you would ever meet and I’m so glad that we got to parade him one last time at the open day two weeks ago, where he looked incredible. “Sadly, he suffered an injury over the weekend, which deteriorated rapidly and we did not want him to suffer. Coolmore Australia would not be what it is today without Fastnet Rock and we owe him so much.” Coolmore’s records show Fastnet Rock’s total number of individual stakes winners stands at 197. He was crowned champion broodmare sire for the past two seasons so his legacy will live on through his daughters who have already produced a 150 stakes winners. WHO WAS FASTNET ROCK? Foaled: 22 September 2001, Australia Colour: Bay Sex: Stallion Sire: Danehill (USA) Dam: Piccadilly Circus (AUS) Trainer: Paul Perry Career Earnings: A$1,724,100 Starts: 19 Wins: 6 Placings: 9 Major Wins: Lightning Stakes (G1, 2005) Oakleigh Plate (G1, 2005) Notable Offspring: Atlantic Jewel Mosheen Sea Siren Merchant Navy Via Sistina Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.