$1,750,000 Sale-Topper for Fastnet

On pedigree this Fastnet Rock colt looked the logical sale-topper of the 2012 NZB Premier Yearling Sale and after making $1,750,000 at Karaka on Tuesday he more than lived up to expectation.

Offered for sale by Cambridge Stud, the three-quarter brother by Fastnet Rock to Group I winner King’s Rose had been much admired at pre-sale inspections and his appearance in the sale ring brought with it the buzz that had been missing from this sale up to that point.

The stylish bay was knocked down to David Ellis of Te Akau Racing after he beat off the team from Coolmore, who were the under-bidder on the star colt.

"I thought he’d make somewhere between $1.5 and $2 million and I really wanted this horse for the New Zealand breeding industry,” Ellis said.

"I think it’s absolutely essential that we retain horses like this to race in New Zealand and then represent New Zealand in Australia and further overseas.

"As you know, Fastnet Rock is on fire in the world, especially in Australia.”

He is the fourth foal of the stakes-placed Nureyev mare Nureyev’s Girl, who is a sister to stakes-winner European Rose and also to the dam of Champion Two Year Old and dual Group I winner Anabandana as well as stakes-winner Gybe, who is by Fastnet Rock.

Nureyev’s Girl has been a regular visitor to Australian stallions in recent years and was covered again last year by Fastnet Rock before being exported back to New Zealand just before Christmas.

This year’s sale-topping colt becomes the most expensive yearling sired by Coolmore’s favourite son Fastnet Rock, whose previous best seller was Group I New Zealand 2,000 Guineas winner Rock ‘n’ Pop, who made $NZ1million at this sale in 2010.

Even with the difference in exchange rate, the $NZ1,750,000 ($A1,354,107) paid for this colt from Nureyev’s Girl still puts him comfortably above all previously sold youngsters by Fastnet Rock including this year’s Magic Millions sale-topper, a colt from Rose of Cimmaron that made $960,000.

Fastnet Rock finished as the leading sire by average at Karaka with eight yearlings averaging $422,500.