150th SW for Champion sire Fastnet Rock

Tara Madgwick - Sunday October 27

Coolmore's champion sire Fastnet Rock sired his 150th stakes-winner on Saturday when progressive three year-old Sherwood Forest won the Group III War Decree stakes at Riccarton in New Zealand.

Sherwood Forest - Race ImagesSherwood Forest been touted as a serious contender for the Group I Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in a fortnight and his admirers would have been well satisfied with his latest performance.

Settled well back by rider Troy Harris after missing away slightly at the jump, the Tony Pike-trained galloper was still spotting the leaders a conservative six lengths as the field approached the home bend.

Harris peeled Sherwood Forest to the centre of the track where a few huge bounds carried him to the front before he stalled off all challengers to win the one mile feature by a length.

Pike stable representative Dean Williams was delighted with the run as a final lead-up to the upcoming Group I challenge.

“It is fair to say I was a bit nervous when he was slow away,” Williams said.

“Troy got him some cover and then plenty of clear air and he was a touch too good for them.

“We are down here now; he is well and we know he loves the mile.”

TAB Bookmakers responded by tightening Sherwood Forest into an $8 second favourite for the 2000 Guineas.

A $100,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for New Zealand Bloodstock, Sherwood Forest has won two of six starts and was foaled and raised at Coolmore.

A full brother to stakes-winner Royal Ocean, he is from Chasing Mammon, a half-sister by Giant’s Causeqay to stakes-winner Zelsnitz from the family of dual Group I winner and leading sire Holy Roman Emperor.

Chasing Mammon has a yearling colt by Starspangledbanner and has foaled this spring producing a colt by Fastnet Rock’s champion son Merchant Navy.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - War Decree Stakes Gr3 1600m

Riccarton Park Track: Dead(6) Time: 1:38.39
1
Sherwood Forest
- 3g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Chasing Mammon (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: T N Harris 56.5
Fastnet Rock
2
0.8
Chuck A Luck
- 3g Niagara (AUS) x Boomchuckalucka (NZ) (Catbird (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: K Chowdhoory 56.5
3
1.0
All About Magic
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Rosecroft (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S R Weatherley 54.5
4
1.5
Sorceress
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Gelinda (NZ) (Generous (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: C W Johnson 54.5
5
1.7
Hot Tap
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Mrs Tappy (NZ) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: K & I Taplin Rdr: J J Fawcett 54.5
6
2.7
Bronte Beach
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Bronte Lass (AUS) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: A Comignaghi 54.5
7
3.7
Aotea Lad
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Corsage (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: J D Laking 56.5
8
4.0
Lightning Jack
- 3g Per Incanto (USA) x La Petite (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: K & A Tyler Rdr: C A Campbell 56.5
9
5.4
Charlie Awesome
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Sweet Charlotte (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S L Wynne 56.5
10
5.7
Woodcote Lass
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Lady Woodcote (GB) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: T R Moseley 54.5
11
6.5
Feel The Rush
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Zabex (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: K & A Tyler Rdr: K Asano 54.5
12
6.6
Far Site
- 3f Makfi (GB) x Perfect Vision (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: N F Ridley Rdr: L Callaway 54.5
13
22.6
The Tailors Niece
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Kelly Jane (NZ) (Decies (GB))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: Ms K Williams 54.5
More Reading...
Nicks That Click – Looks Like This One Has Worked Again
This nick involving two champion sires is well proven and documented with a two year-old winner last Saturday appearing as the latest example.
$1million Fastnet Rock Colt Chasing Karaka Million 3YO
Victorian trainer David Hayes will be in New Zealand later this week as he puts the finishing touches on three-year-old colt Conqueror ahead of Saturday’s $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m).
Expensive Ghaiyyath Colt Wins Stakes
Darley shuttler Ghaiyyath (IRE) had his first Australian winner earlier this week and overnight produced a new stakes-winner in the UK where Godolphin owned colt Opera Ballo won the Listed Heron Stakes (1m)at Sandown.
Godolphin Make Their Move
The first two days at Magic Millions were without a Godolphin purchase, but they moved swiftly in the first hour of trade on Friday to secure two fillies by Fastnet Rock and Snitzel for $600,000 each.
Sires With Winners - Thursday May 29
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires Pack Profitable Punch at Weanling Sale
There are many members of New Zealand’s stallion ranks whose progenies racetrack results far exceed their service fee.  Next month’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka is an ideal opportunity for traders and end users to secure the progeny of these creditable sires.
King’s Legacy Filly Wins by Three
The Lindsay Park team produced an impressive juvenile winner at Pakenham on Thursday evening with King’s Legacy filly Bella Pietra winning as she pleased.
Little Avondale’s Weanlings Follow Successful Footsteps
Graduates of Little Avondale Stud’s drafts at the NZB National Weanling Sale have a proud record of racetrack success, and stud principal Sam Williams believes his class of 2025 compares favourably with previous years.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Derby
It’s been 15 years since Dariana thumped the colts to win the Queensland Derby (2400m) in 2010 and maybe it’s time for another filly to triumph!
Verry Exciting Weekend Looms
New Zealand horseman Nicholas Bishara will cross the Tasman this weekend to watch his filly Belle Detelle, a three-quarter sister to his ill-fated 11-time Group One Verry Elleegant, contest the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m).