Fastnet Rock Mare Back to Best
A brilliant winner of the $500,000 Group II ATC Challenge Stakes (1000m) last year, quality sprinting mare Passive Aggressive (5m Fastnet Rock x Miss Judgement, by Strategic) returned to Randwick on Saturday to defend her title.
The Grahame Begg trained mare was unplaced in two subsequent Group I starts last year with connections opting to retire her to stud, but when she missed to I Am Invincible Passive Aggressive was sent back into work for another chance at racetrack success.
Last year, Passive Aggressive lowered the colours of superstar sprinters Eduardo and Giga Kick, and Jordan Childs was back on board again this time to defeat the Godolphin duo of Zapateo and Aft Cabin by three-quarters of a length.
The 5-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock advances her record to six wins from nine starts with earnings just shy of $800,000.
“Since day one she’s always been a class horse,” stable representative Jack Lake said.
“It was disappointing when she had to be retired. When she couldn’t get in foal and she came back into work, she’s just been terrific. After having almost a year off we probably thought she could have been very vulnerable late, but she was very gallant to the line. So it was very impressive.”
Jordan Childs said the win unfolded differently to last year.
“It’s a bit different; we went a bit conservative today,” he said.
“It wasn’t originally the plan, but she didn’t begin well, so I went to Plan B and took her nice and quiet.
“When I was travelling into the straight, she gave me an unreal feel. Once I pressed that button, she was just too good for them.”
Bought by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock at Inglis Easter for $500,000, Passive Aggressive was bred and sold by Cressfield and is a full sister to Group III winning and multiple Group I placed sprinter Missrock, who won over $1.3million.
Passive Aggressive is the final foal from Group III winning Strategic mare Miss Judgement, who was retired from stud duties in 2021 and is a sibling to Group I winner Mrs Onassis and Group III winners Fifth Avenue Lady and Aussies Love Sport.
The value of this prolific Black Type female family was highlighted when Missrock was offered off the track at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in 2019 where she fetched $2.3million to the bid of John and Jake Warren and was exported to the UK.
Fastnet Rock mares are increasingly making their presence felt at stud and his daughters have produced 17 Australian stakes-winners this season including the Golden Slipper favourite Storm Boy.