Fastnet Rock

Fastnet Rock, or simply Fastnet (possibly from Old Norse Hvasstann-ey, meaning "sharp-tooth isle"; called Carraig Aonair, meaning "lonely rock", in Irish) is a small islet in the Atlantic Ocean and the most southerly point of Ireland. It lies 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) southwest of Cape Clear Island and 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from County Cork on the Irish mainland. Due to its location, Fastnet is known as "Ireland's Teardrop", because it was the last part of Ireland that 19th century Irish emigrants saw as they sailed to North America.

Fastnet Rock is a small clay-slate islet with quartz veins. It rises to about 30 metres (98 ft) above low water mark and is separated from the much smaller southern Little Fastnet by a 10 metres (33 ft) wide channel. Fastnet also gives its name to the sea area used by the Shipping Forecasts on BBC's Radio 4. The current lighthouse is the second to be built on the rock and is the highest in Ireland.

Fastnet Rock is used as the midpoint of one of the world's classic offshore yachting races, the Fastnet Race, a 1,126 kilometres (700 mi) round trip from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, round the rock and back to Plymouth. It is also sometimes used as a mark for yacht races from local sailing centres such as Schull, Baltimore and Crookhaven

Fastnet Rock (horse)

Fastnet Rock is an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse stallion.

Sired by Danehill to dam Piccadilly Circus, he started his racing career in 2004. Though he did not win any races as a two-year-old, he ran third in the Group One AJC Sires Produce Stakes. He found great success after turning three years old. After being unplaced in the Caulfield Guineas, he proved himself as one of the top Australian sprinters by winning the Group 1 Lightning Stakes and Oakleigh Plate in February, 2005.

Trainer Paul Perry wished Fastnet Rock to repeat the successful English campaign by Choisir, who is trained by Perry, in 2003. After he ran second in the T J Smith Stakes in March 2005, Fastnet Rock was sent to the United Kingdom to prepare for the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes and July Cup. Unfortunately, he suffered from travel sickness and was unable to run in any race in the UK and was retired to stud.

Race record

Stud record

Fastnet Rock began his career at stud in 2005 standing at Coolmore Stud Australia in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. In 2007 he covered 257 mares, second only behind Bel Esprit (266). In 2008 Fastnet Rock covered 248 mares at a fee of $82,500. In 2012 his fee was increased to $220,000 making him the most expensive stallion standing at stud in Australia. In 2013 Fastnet Rock's fee rose again to $275,000 which made him $100,000 dearer than the second most expensive stallion in Australia, Redoute's Choice. Fastnet Rock has sired 17 individual Group 1 winning horses including multiple Group 1 winners Mosheen, Sea Siren and Atlantic Jewel. Other notable Stakes winners include Smart Missile, Driefontein, Cluster, Bull Point, Albany Reunion and Hvasstan.