‘We owe him so much’ – Coolmore Australia’s ‘much-loved’ stallion Fastnet Rock dies
Fastnet Rock (Danehill), one of Australia’s most influential stallions, has died at the age of 24, Coolmore Australia announced on Monday morning. “Sadly, earlier today our much-loved champion sire Fastnet Rock was humanely euthanized at Coolmore, his place of birth and home for the past 20 years. In that time, Fastnet Rock forged a legacy... Read More
Ka Ying Rising romps to 13th straight win as Zac Purton slots five-timer
Zac Purton has declared Ka Ying Rising’s (Shamexpress) outstanding win in the HK$3.72 million (approx. AU$727,890) Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday as the equal-best of the champion sprinter’s stunning career. Extending his unbeaten streak to 13 wins, Ka Ying Rising brushed aside quality opposition under 135lb to... Read More
Swettenham’s Toronado to miss breeding season
Toronado (High Chaparral), one of Victoria’s leading stallions, will miss the 2025 breeding season as he battles a significant infection and lameness, Swettenham Stud confirmed on Sunday. “The stallion has suffered a significant infection, which in turn has caused him lameness. On the advice of some of Australia’s leading veterinarians, the decision was taken to... Read More
Freedman eyes golden spring with talented bunch of horses
Michael Freedman appears poised for a golden spring, with an extended weekend featuring three notable winners auguring well for the Randwick conditioner. When you’ve got a bloke called Lee Freedman as your stable foreman, things must be going alright. That was the case when that recently retired Gold Coast trainer put the saddle on Bunker... Read More
Quintessa all class in Proisir Plate triumph
The early spring has tended to bring the very best out of Quintessa (Shamus Award), and that trend continued at Ellerslie on Saturday with a spectacular last-to-first performance at $36 odds in the Proisir Plate (Gr 1, 1400m). The $400,000 weight-for-age triumph came almost exactly a year after the Te Akau Racing mare’s last win,... Read More
Apocalyptic announces arrival with Furious Stakes triumph
Michael Freedman’s patience was vindicated at Randwick on Saturday as exciting filly Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice) announced herself as a star in the making with a thrilling victory in the Furious Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m). The least experienced runner in the field, Apocalyptic arrived at the second leg of the Princess Series as a maiden, her... Read More