Fastnet Rock’s Rivet takes G1 Racing Post Trophy

A fabulous 2016 in Europe for Fastnet Rock continued at Doncaster on Saturday when Rivet (2c Fastnet Rock-Starship, by Galileo) was an impressive winner of the G1 Racing Post Trophy. The winner of the G2 Champagne Stakes at the same track in September, he looked to have progressed since that victory as he ran out a decisive winner of Britain’s final G1 of the year. It was a 1-2-3 for Coolmore sires with Yucatan (2c Galileo-Six Perfections, by Celtic Swing) in second and Salouen (2c Canford Cliffs-Gali Gal, by Galileo) coming third. The William Haggas-trained Rivet was home-bred by his owners, who include the legendary Lester Piggott, Des Scott, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor. Haggas’s wife Maureen, also Piggott’s daughter, was on hand to welcome in the winner at Doncaster. She said: “It’s great. My father bred him with Mr Magnier, Mr Tabor and Mr Scott and it’s very special. My mother bought the grandam a long time ago from Anthony Oppenheimer. The dam is a half-sister to Superstar Leo so it’s a great family we know really well and one that keeps giving. Everything we’ve bred from the mare has been a good one. We’ve sold them all bar this one and a mare that we’ve got in foal. It’s great we kept this one. “William thought that if there wasn’t the pace we wanted today then we’d do our own thing. Andrea (Atzeni) did it perfectly and got the horse to relax. His ears were pricked and he looked like he was really enjoying it. “All of them out of the mare have had very good minds and he is the same. He’s very laid-back. He’s relaxed at home and never overdoes it. He’s taking his races well and still looks well. I think he’ll start at a mile next year and it’s up to William and the owners what they do.” Atzeni was winning the Racing Post Trophy for a fourth consecutive year and added:  “He really wanted it today. He gave me a great feel and two out I thought it would take a good one to get by him. “Mr Haggas said to let him enjoy himself. The horse is very genuine and stays well. He probably didn’t like the ground but obviously goes on it. He’s a lovely horse who will definitely go on next year. He’s still unfurnished and will be better next year.” Rivet was the latest star Fatsnet Rock two-year-old to shine in recent days. Also on Saturday, the Ralph Beckett-trained Crimson Rock (2f Fastnet Rock-Maryinsky, by Sadler’s Wells) was an impressive debut winner at Newbury. The Al Shahania Stud-owned filly, a $1 million yearling purchase at Keeneland last year, is a sibling to Peeping Fawn and Thewayyouare. The previous afternoon at Newbury, the Charlie Hills-trained Rosarno (2c Fastnet Rock-Jouet, by Reprimand) looked one for the notebook when winning a decent maiden comfortably.