Champion Sire Fastnet Rock dies aged 24

Coolmore Australia has announced with great sadness the passing of Champion Sire Fastnet Rock, who was humanely euthanised earlier today at his birthplace and lifelong home in the Hunter Valley. For two decades, Fastnet Rock stood as one of the most influential stallions in Australian breeding, leaving a legacy that cements his place among the all-time greats.

“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,” said Coolmore’s Tom Magnier. “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.”

Across his stellar stud career, Fastnet Rock sired 197 individual stakes winners, including champions such as Atlantic Jewel and his globally renowned daughter Via Sistina, who continues to represent him at the highest level. Twice crowned Champion Broodmare Sire, his daughters have already produced 150 stakes winners, while his influence endures through successful sire sons such as Acrobat.

Fastnet Rock’s impact will live on in pedigrees for generations to come, a lasting reminder of a horse who shaped the very fabric of Australian racing and breeding.