FASTNET ROCK BUSIEST SHUTTLE STALLION IN 2011

Fastnet Rock (AUS)
(Photo : Stallions)

FASTNET ROCK (AUS)
Danehill (USA) - Piccadilly Circus (AUS)

Coolmore shuttler Fastnet Rock was officially the busiest shuttle stallion in 2011, covering no fewer than 364 mares throughout the year.

Fastnet Rock covered 214 mares at a fee of A$132,000 during the Southern Hemisphere season at Coolmore’s Australian base in the Hunter Valley, on top of the 150 mares he covered during his second shuttle trip to Ireland.

Fastnet Rock’s popularity stems from his status as one of Australia’sleading sires. Although still only ten-years-old, the son of Danehill is the sire of 24 stakes winners including eight at Group 1 level. His first European crop are yearlings and he is set to stand his third Irish season at Coolmore at a private fee.

Fellow Coolmore shuttler, So You Think’s sire High Chaparral, was also in demand down under, covering 180 mares at a fee of A$99,000. That figure, however, was a drop from the 2010 Southern Hemisphere season when the son of Sadler’s Wells covered 235 mares, the most served by any stallion in Australia that year.

Excellent Art covered 147 mares while Choisir was the recipient of 157. Darley’s American shuttlers Lonhro and Bernardini were also popular in Australia, with books of 149 and 126 mares.

King’s Stand and Golden Jubilee Stakes runner-up Star Witness had a busy first season, covering 143 mares at a fee of A$33,000 at Widden Stud.

Extract from Racing Post