Fastnet Fires Up Premier

The 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne came to life on Monday with champion sire Fastnet Rock providing three of the top four sellers. Leading the way was a strongly built bay colt offered by New Zealand based vendor Esker Lodge that made $450,000 to the bid of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock/McKeever Bloodstock. The much admired colt topped the Inglis Select Weanling Sale last year when fetching $270,000 and is the first foal of former classy Stravinsky racemare Bird of Fire, who scored Group II wins in the VRC Matriarch Stakes and SAJC Queen of the South Stakes. “He’s a lovely colt and of course being by Fastnet Rock… they are in demand,” Darren Dance of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock told Inglis TV. “He’s got it all. He’s short coupled and looks an early two year-old to me. I guess there will be no shortage of trainers trying to get him in their yard.” The star colt is bred on the exact same cross as multiple Group I winner Mosheen, who is also by Fastnet Rock from a daughter of Stravinsky. Bird of Fire unfortunately missed to Fastnet Rock in 2011, but is now in foal to champion racehorse So You Think. Also selling well for Fastnet Rock were a colt from dual Group I winner Arborea that made $340,000 for Coolmore when knocked down to Lindsay Park Bloodstock and a filly from stakes-winner Sarah Vee that made $300,000 for Musk Creek Farm when secured by David Hayes Racing. Fastnet Rock is leading the sire averages, his four youngsters sold to date averaging $297,500.