Fastnet Rock Stayer Might Be Headed Back for Second Melbourne Cup

Tara Madgwick - Sunday September 1

Seventh in the Melbourne Cup last year, the Willie Mullins trained French bred Fastnet Rock stayer Absurde may have booked his ticket back to Australia for a second tilt at the Melbourne Cup following a strong win in the Listed Chester Stakes (1m6 ½ f) overnight.

The six year-old Fastnet Rock gelding won at the Cheltenham Jumping Festival earlier this year and was a last start fourth in the Group III Irish St Leger Trial.

Ridden by Daniel Tudhope, he surged clear to win by a length and a quarter taking his overall record to six wins and eight placings from 21 starts with this victory his first in a Black Type race.

Advertisement

Absurde and his faithful strapper Emilie Seigle were media favourites in Melbourne last year and she was by his side for this victory as well.

Bred by Wertheimer Et Frere, Absured was initially raced in France by the Wertheimers before he was offered in the Arqana Deauville Summer Mixed Sale in 2022 where he was bought by PB Bloodstock/ H Kirk / Willie Mullins for €260,000.

He is the best of five winners from stakes-placed Singspiel mare Incroyable from the family of Group I winner Juvenia.

The 194th stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock, Absurde might not be the best of his offspring to ever race, but he’s probably the one that has won over the longest trip with his wins running out to 4000m!

Advertisment
More Reading...
Levakia Adds to Good Week for Curraghmore
Emerging filly Levakia has given Curraghmore further cause for celebration.
New kids on the block add fresh blood to Vibrant Victorian breeding scene
With 11 new stallions standing in Victoria this coming breeding season, including the winners of three Group 1 races on their ‘home’ soil, the short and long-term future looks increasingly bright for the state’s vibrant industry. 
Bergerson Honoured at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night.
Tenth 2YO Winner Spirit of Boom
Lindsay Park Racing produced the tenth 2YO winner of the season for Spirit of Boom at Pakenham on Monday when the well backed favourite Idleonby saluted at her second start.
G1 3YOs - Where the Real Action Is
2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.
Fastnet Rock's Absurde Keep Frankie's Melbourne Cup Dream Alive
Absurde is likely to line up in the Melbourne Cup alongside stablemate and ruling favourite Vauban after the son of Fastnet Rock earned a golden ticket with his win in the £500,000 Ebor Hcp at York, to the delight of fans of Frankie Dettori.
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.