News

Fire burns the turf in Group 1 Levin Classic

13th Jan 2018

Coolmore enjoyed further Group 1 success in New Zealand today when a colt they raised by their champion stallion Fastnet Rock won the Levin Classic at Trentham at just his sixth career start.

Age Of Fire (Fastnet Rock x Dragon’s Tail) was well supported in betting to start a dominant $2.60 favourite and punters’ confidence was vindicated when the 3YO charged late to get the win.

Age Of Fire was already Group 1 placed but showed he is a star of the future with the strong victory.

For Fastnet Rock it was his 32nd individual Group 1 winner and Age Of Fire became the 52nd Group 1-winning graduate of Coolmore Australia.

Age Of Fire was raised by Coolmore before being offered in Erinvale Thoroughbreds’ draft at the 2016 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where David Ellis of Te Akau Racing purchased him for $400,000.

“Fastnet Rock had a great year in 2017 with 29 Stakes winners and now he has started 2018 with a bang,’’ Coolmore Australia’s Stud Manager Jim Carey said.

“It’s an amazing result for David Ellis and his team at Te Akau. David has been telling us that he thinks this horse was top class and he was vindicated in that view today.

“He is a horse with huge scope for improvement and he might just be a very good one.’’

Erinvale’s John Kenneally knew from the moment he saw Age Of Fire he was a star in the making.

“He was as good as any horse I’ve ever sold,’’ Kenneally said.

“He was a magnificent-looking animal, not too heavy, very athletic with a big walk and he’s a Fastnet, so he was always going to be popular.’’

Coolmore has a 21-strong draft at next month’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, the historic first sale at Riverside Stables from February 10-13, while Erinvale will be offering nine horses at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale (March 4-7).

To view the Classic catalogue, CLICK HERE.

To view the Premier catalogue, CLICK HERE.

AGE OF FIRE (Fastnet Rock x Dragon’s Tail)

Group 1 win: Levin Classic

Sale: 2016 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale

Price: $400,000

Vendor: Erinvale Thoroughbreds

Breeder: Roncon

Buyer: David Ellis

Trainers: Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards

Owners: Te Akau 2016 Sydney Breeding Syndicate No.2 (Mgr: DC Ellis).