New Group One Winner for Fastnet Rock

Tara Madgwick - Saturday January 13
Champion sire Fastnet Rock added a 32nd Group I winner to his tally when classy colt Age of Fire captured the Group I Levin Classic at Trentham in New Zealand on Saturday.



Leading rider Opie Bosson once again showed why he is such an important player for the Te Akau team with another man of the match performance aboard the progressive colt at Trentham.

The 37-year-old produced an outstanding ride to guide Age Of Fire to victory in the 1600 metre feature.

After jumping from an inside gate, he was stuck four back on the rail, but Bosson kept his cool and was able to ease away from the fence into the clear across the top.

The strapping colt let down impressively in the straight to win by a long neck over talented fillies Belle Du Nord and Savvy Coup.

"That's why he's paid the big retainer," said Jamie Richards, who trains in partnership with Stephen Autridge. "He's a lovely, big horse and he pinned his ears back, he was in for the fight."

The stable's number one jockey was having his first race day ride on Age Of Fire, but Bosson had been in a confident pre-race mood.

"He is a lovely colt and his work in the last few weeks had been outstanding," he said. "He's a big horse, but light on his feet.

Age of Fire as a yearling"I was a little bit worried across the top when there wasn't much speed, but once I got into the clear he showed that powerful finish.

"Well done to Stephen and Jamie and the team – another Group One for the tangerine."

A $400,000 Inglis Easter purchase for David Ellis from the Erinvale Thoroughbreds draft, Age Of Fire shares favouritism for the Group I Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at $7 with Demonetization and he is now likely to take on the older horses ahead of the Ellerslie classic.

"My gut feeling is that we'll go to the Herbie Dyke Stakes to give him another chance at a Group One," Richards said, referring to the weight-for-age feature at Te Rapa on February 10.

Second in the Group I New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas, Age of Fire has the overall record of three wins and three placings from six starts with this victory his first in a Black Type race.

Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Age of Fire is the best of three winners from Dragon's Tail, an unraced daughter of champion sire Galileo from the European family of Champion Miler Fly to the Stars.

"Fastnet Rock had a great year in 2017 with 29 Stakes winners and now he has started 2018 with a bang,'' Coolmore Australia's Stud Manager Jim Carey said.

"It's an amazing result for David Ellis and his team at Te Akau. David has been telling us that he thinks this horse was top class and he was vindicated in that view today.

"He is a horse with huge scope for improvement and he might just be a very good one.''

Fastnet RockErinvale's John Kenneally knew from the moment he saw Age Of Fire he was a star in the making.

"He was as good as any horse I've ever sold,'' Kenneally said.

"He was a magnificent-looking animal, not too heavy, very athletic with a big walk and he's a Fastnet, so he was always going to be popular.''

He is the sixth Group I winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock from a daughter of Coolmore's legendary Galileo, that direct cross also producing 15 stakes-winners in total and achieving 26.3% stakes-winners to runners.

Dragons Tail has never been to a stallion other than Fastnet Rock and has a yearling filly to be offered at the NZB Premier Yearling Sale as Lot 172 by Hallmark Stud.

She produced another filly by Fastnet Rock last spring and was then covered by him again.



Advertisment
More Reading...
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.