Fastnet Rock Mare has One of North America's Most Exciting Two Year Olds

Mark Smith - Sunday October 3

Spendthrift Farm dipped its toe in the water in Australia at the 2014 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale with the purchase of a colt and two fillies.

The two fillies, by Fastnet Rock, made their mark on the track before being exported to Spendthrift's base in Kentucky.

Cana was a $650,000 purchase from the Highgrove Stud draft. She earned $203,435 of that back on the track with three wins and three places from 14 starts, including a third in the Group III Kevin Hayes Stakes at Caulfield.

Ameristralia was a $400,000 purchase out of the Kia Ora Stud draft.

Ameristralia carries the Spendthrift colours to victory at Caulfield (image Racing Photos)

She won four, placed in six of her 12 starts, and bowed out of racing with a third behind Prussian Vixen and Silent Sedition in the Group III Bellmaine Stakes at Caulfield.

At Santa Anita on Friday, Ameristralia's 2yo daughter Ain't Easy honoured Spendthrift Farm's champion stallion Into Mischief with his 100th stakes-winner when she blew away the field by upwards of four and three-quarter lengths in the Grade II Chandelier Stakes.

Advertisement

She achieved the feat with a front shoe hanging off.

It was the second win from as many starts for Ain't Easy, earning her a fees-paid berth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar on November 5.

At her career debut at Del Mar on August 21, Ain't Easy won a five and a half furlong sprint by five and a quarter lengths.

"She acted very professional, sitting behind. She came up inside, which you like to see with a young horse," winning trainer Phil D'Amato said.

A $400,000 Keeneland September purchase, Ain't Easy is the first winner for Ameristralia whose stakes-winning dam, Heart Ashley (Lion Heart), was bought for $500,000 by James Bester on behalf of Kia Ora Stud at the 2010 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Ones to Watch – Rosehill
In years to come when racing trivia nights are held, a question will be - what was the horse champion jockey Jett Newman rode in her first metropolitan race win?  And the answer is our One to Watch.
2026 NZB KARAKA YEARLING SALE PREVIEW – Sky Thoroughbred Central this Monday
Caroline Searcy’s extensive preview of the Centenary New Zealand National Sale will premiere on Sky Thoroughbred Central Monday night at 7.30pm AEDST. This is a must watch chance to see over ten percent of the Book 1 catalogue and a some select Book 2 yearlings as well, ahead of sale ground inspections this week and the Sale’s commencement on Sunday January 25.
Geese That Lay Golden Eggs – What’s in the Future?
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sale was highlighted by 15 yearlings that sold for $1million or more which was two more than last year when just 13 hit the magic mark, but still considerably down on 2024 which saw 23 millionaires sold following on from 20 in 2023.
King of Roseau Brings Full Circle Moment for Capitalist and Snowden
A decade after Peter Snowden won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Capitalist, the champion trainer saddled up the stallion’s son King Of Roseau to win the $2 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Mulcaster Finds First Winner for Portland Sky
A Group I winning son of champion sire Deep Field, Widden Stud’s Portland Sky put his first winner on the board at Ascot on Saturday with a dominant debut victory for talented filly Daryte, who was purchased by Guy Mulcaster.
Birchley Back to NZ for More Millions
Queensland trainer Liam Birchley is no stranger to success in the richest two-year-old race in New Zealand, the $1million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), and he is hoping to replicate the winning feeling next weekend as he prepares to line-up a pair of quality fillies in the Ellerslie dash for cash.
Hawker Hall Wins Last on Magic Day
James McDonald made the most of a late pick-up ride on Hawker Hall when he let the gelding rip from a wide barrier to run his rivals ragged in the $250,000 Magic Millions Class 6 Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Via Sistina Retired - Dubawi Her First Mating
Chris Waller has announced the retirement of Champion mare Via Sistina after returning for her autumn campaign not “her normal highly energetic self”.
Torque To Be Sure Survives Protest For 3YO Guineas Win
Torque To Be Sure survived a protest in the stewards’ room to shrug his maiden tag on the biggest stage with a win in the $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 17
Here is the full list of 111 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.