Carnival time and you can rest assured that progeny of Champion Sire FASTNET ROCK visit the Winner’s Circle, and again on Saturday that was the case when PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE won the Gr2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick.
PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE winning the 2024 Challenge Stakes Gr2
Having missed going in foal to I Am Invincible last spring, Fastnet Rock 5yo mare Passive Aggressive returned to the track for another racing season and as a result, she has successfully defended her title in the Gr2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick, having also won last year’s edition.
Last year, Passive Aggressive defeated Eduardo and Giga Kick, and Jordan Childs was back on board the Grahame Begg mare this year to defeat Zapateo (Brazen Beau) by three-quarters of a length with Aft Cabin (Astern) back in third.
The 5-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock advances her record to six wins from nine starts with earnings of $798,725.
The favourite Private Eye was disappointing and only beat one home.
“Since day one she’s always been a class horse,” stable representative Jack Lake said.
“It was disappointing when she had to be retired. When she could not get in foal and she came back into work, she’s just been terrific. After having almost a year off we probably thought she could have been very vulnerable late, but she was very gallant to the line. So, it was very impressive.
“She’s a bit of a cranky mare at times, so the fitter she gets, the more wound up she gets and becomes more of a typical mare. But we’re just rapt to have her back, and I don’t think she could have been any more impressive there.”
Jordan Childs said it was a different scenario from last year.
“It’s a bit different; we went a bit conservative today,” he said.
“It wasn’t originally the plan, but she didn’t begin well, so I went to Plan B and took her nice and quiet.
“When I was travelling into the straight, she gave me an unreal feel. Once I pressed that button, she was just too good for them.”
Bought by Jonathon Munz at Inglis Easter for $500,000, Passive Aggressive is a full sister to Gr3 winning and multiple Gr1 placed sprinter Missrock.
Also on the day, in the Fireball Stakes LR 1100m, CORNICHE a 3yo colt by Fastnet Rock x Montsegur finished a gallant runner-up.
FASTNET ROCK has been a multiple champion sire and his time has come to an end in the breeding barn as he was infertile in the 2023 season.
FASTNET ROCK - Champion Sire
Only a handful of progeny by FASTNET ROCK are available.
Aware of his fertility issues and the brilliance of his progeny over his years at stud, we were keen to purchase one of his few colts available for sale this year.
We struck at the MAGIC MILLIONS when we purchased his son from the mare TANTALUS (by Savabeel).
Our Yearling Colt by FASTNET ROCK ex TANTALUS
Our COLT is now a Rare Gem! He is a true “Wow Factor - Stallion Prospect” being trained by Ciaron Maher.
A Colossal COLT by Champion FASTNET ROCK (193 SW and 152 SP inc 47 Gr1 Wnrs) from TANTALUS (NZ) a Winning daughter of Champion Sire SAVABEEL.
Bred on an Unbelievably Successful Cross: 13 Runners: 11 Winners: 6 Stakes Horses.
Even Better for COLTS: 8 Runners: 7 Winners (87.5%): 4 Stakes Horses (50%)
Lot 275 - Fastnet Rock x Tantalus from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.
One of only 24 yearling (13 COLTS) by FASTNET ROCK due to the sire’s infertility issues from this 2022 crop.
Keep an eye out for this colt
Rarity + Highest Quality. When Class & Quality Matter. 5% Shares $16,930 & ALL COSTS to 1/7/24.