$1 Million Fastnet Rock Colt Leads Day 2 Action

The first foal out of Group 1 winning Savabeel mare Diademe (NZ) has joined the million dollar honour roll at Karaka 2018 in a bidding duel from three prominent buyers to secure the colt by Fastnet Rock.

The expected demand for the colt (Lot 156) who is out of a full sibling to current Group 1 2000 Guineas winner Embellish (NZ) (Savabeel), and recently secured stallion profile, lived up to its billing when knocked down for $1,000,000 to astute bloodstock agent Mark Pilkington in conjunction with Lindsay Park Racing.

The affinity for the $1 million colt was no surprise with leading bloodstock agent John Foote and expat Kiwi trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young both amongst the bidding action before Pilkington trumped with the final bid.

“He had the right pedigree, the right physique, and so all the credentials to be a good horse. He certainly had the price tag so hopefully he is a good horse," commented Pilkington.

“It made good sense as the colt is out of a gun mare. He’s in keeping with the same sort of horse as Merchant Navy.

“We recently negotiated the sale of him to Coolmore for $27 million so it would be nice if this colt was going well enough to head down the same path.”

With the colt headed back to Lindsay Park who have had a strong record with horses out of Karaka in recent years, he will be syndicated amongst their clients.

“The Lindsay Park guys have had a lot of luck here. They got Tulip who has been a great filly, then Long Leaf who won the other day.”

Pilkington was also positive about the new format at Karaka this year.

“I think the new concept has worked well. Everybody gets a chance to look at the horses and make up their own mind.”

The stunning colt was consigned by Curraghmore who also sold Fastnet Rock colt at the Sale in 2013 for $1,975,000.