Rock ‘N’ Pop to Stand at Waikato Stud

21 December 2012

Rock 'n' Pop

Waikato Stud is excited to announce that Fastnet Rock’s Gr.1 winning son Rock ‘N’ Pop is set to join its star-studded stallion roster in 2013.

Championed best by Centaine, Danasinga, O’Reilly, Pins and Savabeel, the stud’s tried-and-true stallion selection criteria afforded an all too compelling case for the young entire.

“Selecting stallions for Waikato Stud is one of my most important jobs and Rock ‘N’ Pop fits our tried and true criteria brilliantly,” said Waikato Stud boss, Mark Chittick.

“I identified Rock ‘N’ Pop as a young horse and just like his boom sire Fastnet Rock, he has gone from strength to strength since this time.

“It’s hard to be more impressive than a great looking Gr.1 son of Australia’s Champion sire Fastnet Rock, who is out of a dual Gr.1 winning Sir Tristram mare.

“With this in mind, it’s little wonder he is now considered one of the highest rated available stallion prospects in Australasia.”

A million dollar yearling, Rock ‘N’ Pop showed ability from day one, winning on debut for owners, the Te Akau Rock ‘n’ Pop Syndicate.

Emerging as the very best of his generation, Rock ‘N’ Pop arrived as a tour de force in the Gr.1 NZ Two Thousand Guineas, unleashing a scintillating turn of foot that left rivals reeling in his wake.

“It’s a rare quality in a racehorse to be able to quicken off a Gr.1 field, but he was just devastating that day,” said trainer Jason Bridgman of the Gr.1 win.

The performance also sealed his place as one of Te Akau’s finest gallopers.

“In the 27 years that we’ve been running Te Akau, we haven’t had a better miler. His win in the 2000 Guineas was the easiest Gr.1 win, I have ever seen” said Syndicate Manager, David Ellis.

With his talented Sir Tristram dam Popsy counting the 1993 New Zealand Derby amongst her dual Gr.1 winning arsenal, Rock ‘N’ Pop was subsequently set for the 2012 classic.

Best on top of the ground, Rock ‘N’ Pop lost no admirers with his gritty 2nd on the Slow 7 track to outstanding O’Reilly filly Silent Achiever.

“His 2nd in the NZ Derby showed that he had enormous courage, tenacity and the ability to go from 1200m to 2400m,” remarked Ellis.

Adding extra kudos to his classic campaign, Rock ‘N’ Pop took out the Restricted Listed Karaka 3YO Mile and achieved further Gr.1 acclaim behind the multiple Gr.1 winner Shez Sinsational in the Waikato International Stakes.

In light of Australia’s sire making Gr.1 appeal, Rock ‘N’ Pop was subsequently sent to the yard of champion Sydney trainer, Gai Waterhouse.

Like all before, Rock ‘N’ Pop quickly impressed. “He’s a horse with Gr.1 class written all over him,” said Waterhouse.

“He is just an absolute quality individual. He has a real physicality about him and is an absolute gentleman to have around the stable.

“He’s shown us he possesses plenty ability on the track at Randwick. All going to plan, he’ll be set for some of Sydney Autumn Carnival’s leading targets, with the main goal here being the Doncaster – Sydney’s premier Gr.1 mile event.”

Having purchased a majority interest in the horse, Rock ‘N’ Pop will retire to Waikato Stud at the completion of his racing career.

“I really think Rock ‘N’ Pop is an exciting sire for New Zealand and that’s why Waikato Stud has been so determined in our efforts to get him,” said Chittick.

ROCK ‘N’ POP FAST FACTS

By Champion Australian sire Fastnet Rock.
Out of a dual Gr.1 winning Sir Tristram mare, Popsy.
Purchased for $1 million at the 2010 Premier Yearling Sale.
Debut winner.
Black-type winner of the Gr.1 NZ Two Thousand Guineas and Restricted Listed *Karaka 3YO Mile at three.
Like O’Reilly, Rock ‘N’ Pop achieved Gr.1 success at start four.
The only son of Fastnet Rock announced to stand at stud in New Zealand.
Received highest possible rating of AAA by Breednet’s Sire Prospect Tracker.
16 of Australia’s Top 20 stallions did their racing in Australasia.
Waikato Stud own the majority interest in the horse.
Currently in training with Gai Waterhouse
Aiming for Sydney Autumn Carnival’s Gr.1 Doncaster Hcp.
Will commence stud duties in 2013 at the completion of his racing career.
Rock ‘N’ Pop’s stud fee will be set at the completion of his racing career.

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