On Monday 8/9/25 Champion Sire FASTNET ROCK was humanely euthanized at Coolmore, his place of birth and home for the past 20 years. He was 24.
During his time, Fastnet Rock forged a legacy that saw him recognised as one of the greatest stallions Australia has ever produced, especially of the modern era.
FASTNET ROCK - Champion Sire
Coolmore boss Tom Magnier said: “This is such a sad day for everyone who has worked at Coolmore and played a part in Fastnet’s life.
“Our thoughts today are with all the staff who cared for him over the past 24 years.
“He was born and prepared as a yearling here at Coolmore and raced in the navy silks for Paul Perry and our ownership partners.
“Residing in the stallion barn for 20 years, he was the kindest and smartest horse you would ever meet and I’m so glad that we got to parade him one last time at the open day two weeks ago, where he looked incredible.
“Sadly, he suffered an injury over the weekend, which deteriorated rapidly, and we did not want him to suffer.
“Coolmore Australia would not be what it is today without Fastnet Rock, and we owe him so much”
Fastnet Rock was a son of super sire Danehill. He was retired to Coolmore's Hunter Valley property 20 years ago, after proving himself a brilliant racehorse with six wins including dual Group 1 successes in the Lightning Stakes and Oakleigh Plate to be crowned Champion Three-year-old Sprinter in 2004-05.
Fastnet Rock - Champion 3yo
But it is his career at stud that has secured his legacy in Australian and world racing.
Fastnet Rock was introduced to the market at a fee of $55,000 in 2005, and that rose to a peak of $275,000 in 2013 after he was Australian champion sire in 2011/12. He won the coveted title again in 2014/15.
Coolmore began shuttling Fastnet Rock to their Irish base in 2010 where he was an outstanding success, he returned there for 11 consecutive seasons.
FASTNET ROCK - Champion Sire
Fastnet Rock was retired from the breeding barn two seasons ago due to age and fertility issues.
He has sired nearly 1200 individual winners including 197 Stakes Winners and 43 Group 1 Winners.
The prolific stallion always seemed to have a good horse in training and sired the likes of: Atlantic Jewel, Avantage, Catchy Foxwedge, First Seal, Irish Lights, Merchant Navy, Mosheen, Nechita, Sea Siren, Shoals, Unforgotten and overseas stars including: Qualify, Fascinating Rock, One Master, Rivet Delight and Diamondsandrubies.
But Fastnet Rock saved the best for last – his Irish-bred daughter Via Sistina was recently crowned “Australian Horse of the Year” after her extraordinary 2024-25 season which netted her seven Group 1 wins including the coveted Cox Plate–Queen Elizabeth Stakes double to equal the record for most majors in a season set by all-time great Winx.
Fastnet Rock has been crowned Champion Broodmare Sire for the past two seasons. His daughters have already produced a phenomenal 150 Stakes winners.
Whilst he is well represented through his sons at stud including: Acrobat, Awesome Rock, Bull Point, El Roca, Foxwedge, Glenfiddich, Heroic Valour, Hilal, Long Leaf, Merchant Navy, Prince Fawaz, Rothesay, Smart Missile, The Bold One, Your Song, etc.
Fastnet Rock’s legacy is woven into the fabric of racing and breeding, an enduring testament to a once-in-a-lifetime horse.