Fastnet Rock Filly Tops NZ Ready to Run

Fastnet Rock is running hot in New Zealand with Group I winners Planet Rock and Pop ‘n’ Rock, his filly from Shimo Star topping the NZB Ready to Run Sale on Wednesday. Consigned by Esker Lodge, the star filly fetched $450,000 when knocked down to HK based agent Justin Bahen on behalf of prominent Victorian racehorse owner Phil Sly, who has already tasted success with a Fasnet Rock filly as the owner of Group I VRC Oaks winner Mosheen. Sly was in attendance at the sale and couldn't speak highly enough of his new purchase, who set a new record price for a filly sold at this sale. "She's a stunner. She literally ticks all the boxes - there are 11 boxes to tick on my list and she ticks all of them,” he said. “She breezed up beautifully and was very relaxed, she's a real lady.” Bred in Australia, the star filly was foaled and raised at Fairhill Farm and consigned under their banner to the 2010 Inglis Select Weanling Sale where she made $140,000 to the bid of Michael Wallace Bloodstock. The filly passed in shy of her $200,000 reserve when offered by Esker Lodge at the 2011 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, but made a better impression on buyers this time around when she galloped strongly in the pre-sale breeze up. She is the fourth foal of stakes-placed Centaine mare Shimo Star, who also has a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock.