3 minute read

Fastnet Rock, about to be crowned Australia’s champion sire for 2014-15, will return to shuttle duties in Ireland in 2016.

Coolmore Stud has announced that he will return to Ireland for the first time since he completed his last northern hemisphere season in 2014.

The 13-year-old son of Danehill shuttled to Ireland between 2010 and 2014 but stayed in Australia this year.

His oldest Irish-conceived crop, now four, includes the stakes performers Fascinating Rock, Cougar Mountain, Palace and Table Rock but it is the success of his current 3YO crop that has led to the demand for more of his services by European breeders.

His international reputation has soared this year thanks to his G1 winning fillies Qualify (English Oaks) and Diamondsandrubies (Pretty Polly Stakes) and Tattersalls Millions 3YO Trophy winner Cape Clear Island.

Fastnet Rock was Australia’s champion sire in 2011-12 and has a second title in his grasp this season with current earnings of $10.108, more than $1.2 million ahead of second-placed Exceed And Excel.

Fastnet Rock had another impressive Irish-bred winner on the weekend when the Qualify’s 2YO brother Shogun (Fastnet Rock x Perihelion by Galileo) won at the Curragh on the Irish Oaks program on Saturday at his second start by 2 1/4 lengths for Aidan O’Brien.