With Inglis and Magic Millions doing the rounds inspecting yearlings across Australia it is often the first season sires that garner the most attention.
Valentia, the Group 2 winning son of Fastnet Rock, impressed judges at the 2018 weanling sales with pinhookers snapping up the majority of the foals on offer. The resultant yearlings are now being placed in the premier sales right across the country.
"He was a stunning yearling when sold on the Gold Coast for $1.35m and he is throwing the same strength and athleticism in his stock," explained Adrian Hancock of Magic Millions.
Ampulla Lodge went to $55,000 for a Valentia colt out of Accuse at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale.
"We were most impressed with Valentia when we saw him at Cornerstone Stud and the Accuse colt was a real chip off the old block. He is all quality… the plan is to head to the Gold Coast," said Ampulla Lodge principal Steve Jostlear.
Colm Santry of Coolmore has had a lot to do with Valentia during his racing career, so when the opportunity presented itself to buy some weanlings by the son of Fastnet Rock he jumped at the opportunity.
"He leaves good looking stock with loads of quality and great heads. I purchased two lovely weanlings by him and they have grown out really well at Coolmore. Fastnet Rock is quickly establishing a very strong record as a sire of sires and Valentia is one of his best-looking sons. He has a promising future," enthused Colm Santry.
Valentia is one of the more precocious sons of Fastnet Rock to go to stud having won the Group 2 Skyline Stakes as a 2yo. He was well supported in his first season and he is producing types that will certainly attract attention at the upcoming yearling sales.
Valentia stands at Cornerstone Stud in 2018 for a fee of $7,700 inc. GST.
