Fastnet on Fire at Inglis Easter

Reigning champion sire Fastnet Rock upped the ante during the second session of the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale providing six of the top ten lots and three of the five youngsters that sold for upwards of $1million highlighted by a slashing $4million colt from River Dove. Consigned by Cressfield, the colt was one of the most admired on the grounds and was singled out as the best colt in the sale by two of the best judges in the business in Emirates Park General Manager Trevor Lobb and leading trainer John Hawkes. He was knocked to Emirates Park at $4million and will race for His Excellency Nasser Lootah and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum. “We looked at all of the colts and though he was the most exceptional horse with incredible sire potential,” Trevor Lobb told TVN. “Emirates Park are building up again and he’s a great opportunity. Looking at him, we think he could be ‘the horse’. You don’t need big numbers, you just need the quality.” Trevor Lobb had a close association with leading trainer John Hawkes during their tenure in running the Ingham racing and breeding empire before its sale to Darley in 2008 and the pair represent a formidable combination. “It’s the first time Nasser Lootah and Sheikh Bin Khalifa have partnered together and hopefully we will buy more horses together that will be prepared by John Hawkes,” Lobb added. “This colt has athleticism and a great temperament, you just don’t see horses like him too often at sales.” The $4million colt is a three-quarter brother to a minor winner in Fire Lake and is the fourth foal of Group I MRC Oakleigh Plate winner River Dove, who was covered again by Fastnet Rock last spring. Fastnet Rock also starred with the highest priced filly of the sale when his daughter from US Group I winner Mani Bhavan (USA) fetched $1.55 million to the bid of James Bester Bloodstock on behalf of Morning Rise Stud. Bred and offered for sale by Kia Ora Stud, she is the first foal of her dam, who was covered by Fastnet Rock again last year. Also fetching $1million for Fastnet Rock was a filly from Park Esteem (IRE) that was consigned by Cressfield and purchased by champion trainer Peter Moody, her dam also covered again by Fastnet Rock last spring. Fastnet Rock has had a fabulous sale with 33 yearlings selling at an average $643,636.