Fastnet Rock ex More Valour filly conformation shot

Coolmore Sires Dominate Record Breaking MM National Weanling Sale

A stunning Fastnet Rock filly from More Valour was the top seller at the record breaking 2018 Magic Millions Weanling Sale that concluded at the Gold Coast on Friday.

Consigned by Coolmore, the half-sister to stakes-winner Tashbeeh fetched $750,000 when knocked down to Mike Rennie of Waterford Bloodstock.

"Ideally we would have loved to have gotten her for $300,000 or $400,000 but she was the best horse here," Mike Rennie said.

"You just can't get a pedigree like that and by a champion sire. We knew we would have to pay a lot of money - I was thinking we might have needed $600,000 but still at $750,000 she is a great buy."

On type Rennie said the filly was "a belter."

"She's a medium sized filly with a good girth - well balanced with a big hip. She's just what I like to see - not too big and she's really well in proportion," he added.

"She moved beautifully and Coolmore do a great job."

Fastnet Rock had a sensational sale with six weanlings averaging $379,167 to be the leading sire by average over his Coolmore barn mate Pierro, who had eight weanlings average $188,750 with his best result a colt from Valoura that made $320,000 for Rothwell Park when bought by Glenvale Stud.

The colt comes from the same family as the sale-topping Fastnet Rock filly with both youngsters tracing to outstanding producer Valourina.

Young gun sires Vancouver and Pride of Dubai were clear standouts among the first season sires.

Vancouver had 14 weanlings average $140,000 with his star performer the filly from Better Alternative that made $625,000, while Pride of Dubai had 10 weanlings average $112,000 with his best result a colt from stakes-winner Danehill Smile that made $210,000 to the bid of James Bester.