Fastnet Rock is about to claim his second Champion Australian Sire title and what a season it has been for him with his sons firing - three of them featuring in the top ten first season sires.
Leading the way on earnings is Hinchinbrook whilst Rothesay has sired more winners - 13 - than any other first season sire.
Meanwhile Stryker and Wanted have also
sired stakes winners this season, making Fastnet Rock another great sire of
sires for the flourishing Danehill line.
Yet there have been just a small handful of Fastnet Rocks retired to stud this spring - including Lauriston Park's handsome Rock Hero.
A horse with an outstanding turn of foot, Rock Hero had his career cut short by injury but he was highly regarded by trainer David Payne who held him in higher esteem at three than stable mate Criterion.
And he is much taken by the bay's looks, noting that "Rock Hero would have to be the best looking son of Fastnet Rock standing at stud this season."
And what a pedigree he has, the Listed winning sprinter/miler being out of the wonderful mare Gallant Tess, dual Group 2 winner and five times Group 1 placed.
This is the outstanding Fastnet Rock/Galileo cross that has been performing so well around the world, to date producing 16 winners from 21 starters.
That's a terrific 76.1% winners-to-runners strike rate compared to Fastnet Rock's overall strike rate of 67.3%. And whilst Fastnet Rock's stakes winners to runners ration is an impressive 8.4%, his success rate with Galileo mares is a stunning 19%!
Amongst those winners is the Epsom Oaks heroine Qualify and the Queensland Derby winner Magicool who claimed their big wins on the same big weekend for Fastnet Rock.
A day which also him represented by his first Group One grandson, Press Statement by Hinchinbrook taking out the J.J Atkins Stakes at Doomben.
The form of Fastnet Rock and his sons explains why Rock Hero is already proving popular with Lauriston's Chris Bakker thrilled with the response to him, breeders from Victoria and interstate supporting him.
"He has had lots of visitors who are all impressed by him," he said.
"He is a superb type, full of quality with great presence."
Something breeders will get to see for themselves with Rock Hero part of the first season sire parade being held at Inglis' Oaklands Junction sales complex on Friday August 21.
For further information contact Lauriston Park'sChris and Kathie Bakker (0427 903 353) or LP Stallion'sJulie Nairn (0402 901 910)
Inspect Rock Hero online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIHML47JD34&feature=youtu.be
And explore his pedigree at: www.lauristonpark.com.au/stallions/rock-hero
E:lauristonpark@bigpond.comor lpstallions@gmail.com
