Australian mare Sea Siren notched the first northern-hemisphere stakes winner for Coolmore Stud sire Fastnet Rock in Ireland on Sunday.

Sea Siren (5m Fastnet Rock – Express A Smile by Success Express) displayed a fine turn of foot to win the LR Belgrave Stakes (1200m) at Fairyhouse on debut for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Originally prepared by John O’Shea to Group 1 victories in the 2012 BTC Cup, Doomben 10,000 and MVRC Manikato Stakes, she left for English shortly after running second to Epaulette in this year’s Doomben 10,000.

A homebred for Keith Biggs, Sea Siren is a younger half-sister to Sunspeed sires Oratorio (Stravinsky) and Discorsi (Galileo).  The Kalgoorlie businessman sold Oratorio (Aus) to Mungrup Stud and he is about to capture a third WA 2YO sires’ premiership.  He retained an interest in Yarradale Stud based Discorsi who will have his first runners in 2012-13.

Biggs sold Sea Siren to Coolmore Stud for a reported $2 million earlier this year.  She was sent off a short-priced favourite on Sunday and was untroubled to score by over a length.  “She is an exciting filly with loads of pace and a great attitude,” jockey Joseph O’Brien said.  “She idled in front so I gave her a smack and away she went.”

Future options for the mare include the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in August and the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita in November.

Sea Siren’s Sunspeed connection goes back several generations.  Her second dam Hold That Smile (Haulpak) claimed 1989 WA Horse of the Year honours after winning the G1 Karrakatta Plate.

Other high-class mares to carry Biggs’ familiar blue and pink hooped silks include Perth feature winners Paklani (Haulpak) and Palatious (Semipalatinsk).

Palatious foaled G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Danelagh who, in turn, foaled G1 AJC Oaks winner Dizelle and Hong Kong Horse of the Year Vengeance Of Rain.

– Karl Patterson

SEA SIREN
Listed winner at Fairyhouse on Sunday