Fastnet Rock is covering a quality selection of mares at Coolmore Stud’s Irish base in Tipperary.  Australia’s in-form stallion has between 50 and 60 in his initial northern book.

Fastnet Rock is coming off a busy southern season in the Hunter Valley where he served 272 mares at an advertised fee of $55,000 (inc gst).  His Irish covers cost 35,000 euros (AUD 52,945).

Sadler’s Wells mare Alexandrova heads the list of 21 mares who were either stakes winners or stakes-producers.  She was a triple G1 winner of the English, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks.

Other high-profile bookings include G1 winners Damson (Phoenix Stakes), Moonstone (Irish Oaks) and All Too Beautiful who is a G1 placed daughter of Urban Sea.

The dams of Araafa, Clodovil, Johannesburg, King Charlemagne, Peeping Fawn, Rumplestiltskin, Thewayyouare and Westphalia are also due to visit.

“Fastnet Rock is probably the most exciting young stallion in Australia,” Coolmore manager Michael Kirwan said.  “This year will be a good starting point for him and, being a son of Danehill from a Royal Academy mare, makes his pedigree most familiar with European breeders.’”

Fastnet Rock can sire another G1 winner this Saturday with Wanted in the VRC Newmarket Handicap.  The former Sydneysider was his first stakes winner in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes 12 months ago.

The black-type performer numbers have since increased at a rapid rate to 18 and there’s plenty more where they came from.  The Fastnet Rock stock engaged in feature races over the long weekend are;

Saturday @ Flemington – FREE SPIRITED (LR MSS Security St), EBONY ROCK (G2 VRC Sires’ Produce St), IRISH LIGHTS (G2 Kewney St), WANTED (G1 Newmarket), ROCK CLASSIC (G1 Australian Guineas).

Saturday @ Warwick Farm – ELIMBARI (G3 Kindergarten St)

Sunday @ Canberra – POETIC JUSTICE (LR Canberra Black Opal)

Monday @ Morphettville – LONE ROCK (Magic Millions 2yo Classic), LUMINOUS HARMONY (G2 Yallambee Stud Classic), LUCE DEL MARE (G2 Yallambee Stud Classic).