Former Australian champion sprinter and top-class stallion, Fastnet Rock has died at the age of 24.

Announced on Monday, Fastnet Rock was humanely euthanized at Coolmore, his birth-place and home for the past 20 years. A statement from Coolmore said:

"This is such a sad day for everyone who has worked at Coolmore and played a part in Fastnet's life. Our thoughts today are with all the staff who cared for him over the past 24 years," said Tom Magnier. "He was born and prepared as a yearling here at Coolmore and raced in the navy silks for Paul Perry and our ownership partners. Residing in the stallion barn for 20 years, he was the kindest and smartest horse you would ever meet and I'm so glad that we got to parade him one last time at the open day two weeks ago, where he looked incredible. Sadly, he suffered an injury over the weekend, which deteriorated rapidly and we did not want him to suffer. Coolmore Australia would not be what it is today without Fastnet Rock and we owe him so much"

By Danehill and out of Piccadilly Circus, Fastnet Rock was a champion sprinter in his homeland which began with a consistent two-year-old campaign, placing three times in Group company culminating with a third in the 2004 Group 1 San Miguel AJC Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick. He continued a great run of form as a three-year-old, winning four Group races under Glen Boss for trainer Paul Perry. In 2005, he won both the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington and the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield within three weeks apart.

Coolmore Australia announced the retirement of Fastnet Rock during April 2024 and he has produced 43 individual winners at the highest level across both hemispheres since retiring to stud, including Via Sistina who won the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes for UK trainer George Boughey. The mare has been with Chris Waller since March 2024 and she has recorded nine top-level victories, being the current flagbearer for the much-loved Australian stallion. Others Group 1 winners by Fastnet Rock include Fascinating Rock, Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes winner Merchant Navy, One Master and Qualify.

Fastnet Rock's total number of individual Stakes winners stands at an incredible 197 and his legacy will live on through his daughters who have already produced 150 Stakes winners, as well as his sire sons.