Debut Fastnet Winner Foils Dissident

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday October 9
Australian Horse of the Year Dissident narrowly missed posting his first winner in New Zealand at Riccarton on Tuesday when his two year-old colt Challa went down to expensive Fastnet Rock filly Puysegur.

Puysegur as a yearlingThe Jamie Richards trained Puysegur is a three-quarter sister to the stable's star three-year-old Avantage, last season's Champion 2YO, who also won the corresponding race on debut last year.

Puysegur is raced by her South Island breeders Willie and Karen Calder, who bought her back for $550,000 at the NZB Book One Yearling Sale this year from The Oaks Stud draft.

"She's very much like Avantage, but a slightly bigger version and hopefully she can be half as good," Willie Calder said.

Her stablemate Challa was beaten only half a neck in the 800 metre scamper and will doubtless find his turn to win in coming weeks and months.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Aushorse Release 2026 Investors Guide
We are very proud to release the 2026 Aushorse Investor’s Guide. Each year, this publication offers a snapshot of the strength, momentum and global appeal of Australian racing and breeding, and the story it tells in 2026 is exceptional.
Picture of Success
When you decide to go all in on a new stallion, you need to be prepared for a long wait until you see the full picture resulting from your actions begin to emerge and you live in hope that it looks something like this.
Extremely Impressive – Paradoxium Dominates Wyong MM 2YO Classic
Bjorn Baker has twice previously won the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1100m) with Unencumbered and O’ Ole who both went on to win the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast and the likable trainer believes he can do it again!
Milestone for Fastnet Rock
Champion sire Fastnet Rock clocked up his 100th Graded stakes-winner at the weekend in the US when five year-old entire Desert Stone captured the Group II San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita.
More G1 Success for Fastnet Rock’s Avantage
A Champion 2YO that won the Karaka Million in 2018, quality Fastnet Rock mare Avantage again showed her class at Trentham on Saturday when scoring a determined victory in the Group I JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) defeating Enzo’s Lad, who had won the previous two editions of the prestigious sprint.
The Three Hundred Wins $150,000 MM Wyong Stakes
The $150,000 Magic Millions Wyong Stakes (1200m) for three and four year-olds attracted a good field on Thursday with victory going to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained I Am Invincible gelding The Three Hundred, who has a three-quarter brother headed to MM 2026.
Unraced First Season Sire Trial Report
As we move through the summer we can expect to see an increasing number of juvenile barrier trials around the country and this report is a great barometer for what is in the pipeline for our first season sires.
MRC to host Thursday trials at Caulfield Heath
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) continues its official trials program, hosting 92 horses across 12 trials on Thursday 11 December from 7:30am and the juvenile heat features three youngsters by Home Affairs.
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.
From Last to First - Trapeze Artist 3YO Salutes – Sister 2026 Inglis Premier
Last seen running midfield in the Group I ATC Champagne Stakes won by Nepotism, three year-old Trapeze Artist gelding Michelangelo returned from a lengthy spell at Wyong on Wednesday to score an eye-catching win.