Highly rated Fastnet Rock stallion Therock has been secured to stand at Waterford Stud in Western Australia.

Therock (4h Fastnet Rock – Bumps by Scenic) was trained by Gerald Ryan and won three year-old sprints at Warwick Farm and Rosehill in October 2009.  He defeated subsequent G3 winner Neeson at Rosehill and winning jockey Chris Munce had no hesitation in saying he was Group 1 horse in the making.

Ryan nominated Therock for the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas but a trip cross the Tasman was abandoned when it was found the colt had pulled up sore after the Rosehill victory.  “He had the potential to win a major stakes race”, Ryan said.  “It was only bad luck and injury that stopped him becoming Fastnet Rock’s first Group 1 winner.

“I was confident he would have won the NZ 2000 Guineas.  He was one of my three year-old stable stars along with Melito and Rothesay.”

Ryan has trained many quality racehorses who have gone on to become successful sires including Snitzel and Hurricane Sky, and has no doubt that Therock will make a successful transition from the racetrack to the breeding barn.

“Therock is one of the most magnificent looking horses I have trained.  He is very athletic, an exceptional mover, has incredible muscle mass, stunning head and massive hind quarters.  He really has everything going for him to become a serious stallion and I think he will be an enormous success in Western Australia.”

Therock was a $370,000 purchase as a foal at the 2007 Magic Millions National Sale in 2007.  His sire Fastnet Rock has taken the Australian breeding industry by storm with G1 winners Rock Classic, Wanted and Irish Lights in his first crop.

The Coolmore Stud shuttler was the second leading sire at the 2011 Inglis Easter yearling sale with 29 youngsters averaging $312,069.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been able to secure Therock for both Waterford Stud and for Western Australian breeders”, Waterford manager Dale Brooker said.  “He was clearly an exceptional horse and an outstanding looking thoroughbred.  We believe he could become a dominant stallion in the Western Australian breeding industry”.

Therock will stand for $5,500 + gst.  The Waterford Stud roster in 2010 comprised My Atacanta (Traditionally), Nova Sofala (Danehill) and Akhenaton (Snippets).  Former resident Mosayter (Storm Cat) transferred to NSW last year.