Fastnet Rock has been chosen as the first mate for the Mark Kavanagh trained filly Cat’s Whisker who was retired last week.
Cat’s Whisker (4m Fusaichi Pegasus – Perfect Halo by Don’t Say Halo) had stamped herself amongst the best of her sex in Australia with a succession of high-class performances that included victories in the G3 Cockram Stakes, G2 Let’s Elope Stakes and the G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes.
She would have proven a worthy adversary for Fastnet Rock’s Thousand Guineas winner Irish Lights and Typhoon Tracey in the G1 Myer Classic on Victoria Derby Day.
Coolmore Stud sire Fastnet Rock is highballing at the top of the Australian second-season sires’ premiership with15 individual 3yo winners in Australia. The list is headed by Irish Lights and stakes winners Lovemelikearock, Stryker along with other up-and-coming three year-olds Wanted, Jolie Brise, Rothesay and Lagerphone.
This year’s crop of Fastnet Rock juveniles includes Gimcrack winner Gybe and last Friday’s Goulburn winner Dejavu Rock who is raced by Yarraman Park’s Harry Mitchell. Another of his new-season youngster is Ebony Rock who ran an eye-catching third in the Listed Debutants Stakes at Caulfield last Wednesday.
“We are tremendously proud of the start Fastnet Rock has made at stud,” Coolmore’s Michael Kirwan said. “On the evidence of what we have seen of his runners to date, he looks as though he may well prove capable of challenging Encosta De Lago for the mantle of Champion sire in years to come. The booking of a quality young race mare like Cat’s Whisker is a huge endorsement.”
Cat’s Whisker is owned in partnership by Joy Jenkins and she received some welcome news last Friday when Cat’s Whisker’s dam Perfect Halo foaled a filly by Coolmore sire Haradasun.
“The filly is an outstanding foal, bearing all the hallmarks of what we have seen of the first Haradasuns this spring,” Kirwan remarked. “They are quality foals with good legs and tremendous physique.”
Perfect Halo is one of a number of high-class mares to have visited Haradasun last year. Others include the dams of Lovemelikearock, Face Value, Zizou, Judged and Kiloton.