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38th Group 1 winner for Fastnet Rock
Coolmore Stud’s ever popular sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill) sired his 38th Group 1 winner on Saturday when the Tony Pike-trained Sherwood Forest (3 g ex Chasing Mammon by Giant's Causeway) caused an almighty upset in the New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m).
The talk was all about last start Waikato Guineas (Gr 2, 2000m) Two Illicit (Jimmy Choux) and Dragon Leap (Pierro), who was last seen winning the Avondale Guineas (Gr 2, 2100m), in the run up to the New Zealand Classic.
But the writing looked very much on the wall from a long way out as the son of Fastnet Rock powered home under a confident ride from Michael Walker - with the colt eventually crossing the line a length and a quarter ahead of Two Illicit.
“He just outstayed them,” Pike said. “The last few races he’s been running in have been a little bit too sharp for him, but I’ve always thought he would come into his own over 2400 metres. It’s a fantastic result and hugely satisfying.
“He was a bit of a ratbag as a two-year-old, but the team have put in a lot of work with him, and this season was always going to be about the Derby. It’s great when a plan comes off.
“It was a beautiful ride. We wanted it to be a true staying test. He presented him at the right time, and the horse showed what a genuine stayer he is.”
Pike said a decision had yet to be made on the remainder of Sherwood Forest’s season, but a shot at the Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) on April 4 was on the agenda.
The three-year-old gelding is out of Giant’s Causeway (Storm Cat) Chasing Mammon making him a brother to Listed winner Royal Ocean, who was purchased by Spendthrift Australia for $550,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Further back this is family of former shuttler Holy Roman Emperor (Danehill), Listed-winning pair Heart Of Oak (Woodman) and Big Viking (Theatrical) and Group 3 winner Milanova (Danehill) - the dam of Irish Group 3 winner Pretty Perfect (Galileo).
Chasing Mammon has an unraced Starspangledbanner (Choisir) two-year-old colt - named Land Of The Brave - and in 2018 she foaled another colt by the Rosemont Stud resident. Last year she foaled a colt by Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock) and has most recently been served by Coolmore shuttler Saxon Warrior (Deep Impact).
The win provided Giant’s Causeway with his 22 Group 1 winner as a broodmare sire, while Sherwood Forest is bred on the same cross as fellow elite level winner Awesome Rock.
Fastnet Rock will have four yearlings offered at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and 24 yearlings set to go under the hammer at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.