For our September Stallion of the Month, we pay tribute to Coolmore giants, Fastnet Rock and Wootton Bassett. Both were not only sires of exceptional ability, but fixtures of the farm, and their passing leaves a deep mark felt by many.
Fastnet Rock (2001-2025)
Fastnet Rock spent most of his life at Coolmore, born and prepared as a yearling on the farm. Trained by Paul Perry, Fastnet Rock had seven starts as a two-year-old, placing at Group 3, Group 2, and Group 1 levels. He also ran fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper behind Dance Hero, Charge Forward, and Alinghi.
Fastnet Rock excelled in the Autumn at three, winning the G1 Lightning S., G1 Oakleigh Plate, and then placing in both the G1 Newmarket and G1 TJ Smith S. He retired with six wins and nine placings from 19 starts, earnings over $1.7 million, as well as the 2004/2005 Australian Champion 3YO colt and Champion Sprinter titles.
He then went on to become one of the greatest stallions of the modern era. Sired by Danehill out of Piccadilly Circus, he carried both speed and class in his blood, and his similarities to his sire were uncanny. The dual Champion Australian Sire has stood at stud both in Australia and Ireland, siring 44 Group 1 winners and 197 stakes winners.
Having retired from stud duties in January 2024, his progeny list is a long roll call of excellence – Atlantic Jewel, Mosheen, Shoals, Rock’N’Pop, Merchant Navy, Via Sistina, Foxwedge and Smart Missile, to name a few. His impact on Australian racing and breeding is profound.
Wootton Bassett (2008 – 2025)
In a statement on X, Coolmore Australia said,” Wootton Bassett’s story as a sire is a unique one. Nicolas de Chambure got him off to an incredible start at Haras d’Etreham in France before he was acquired by Coolmore in 2020.
“In his time at Coolmore, he developed into a world-class sire, with 25 stakes winners and six Group 1 winners from his current two and 3-year-old crops conceived in Ireland.”
Unbeaten at two, he was the winner of the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp. The victory secured him a Champion 2YO Colt title in France and a Timeform rating of 119. In the same year, that same title in the UK went to Frankel.
A son of Iffraaj, Wootton Bassett began his stud career in 2012. His first crop yielded just 23 foals, but among them was three-time Group 1 winner, Almanzor (Fr).
Consequent crops featured the likes of Wooded, Royal Patronage, and the Melbourne Cup-favoured Al Riffa. He first shuttled to Australia in 2021, and his Australian progeny currently includes stakes performers Wodeton, State Visit, West Of Swindon, Wiltshire Square, Gallo Nero, and Pallaton. He will potentially have 66 yearlings at the 2026 sales, and another full crop of foals born this spring.
Behind every stallion is a team of caretakers, stud hands, veterinarians, administration staff, and managers. The loss of these two stallions is deeply personal, and TBNSW sends our condolences to the entire Coolmore team, both here and in Ireland.
