Rock Sturdy

MALE LINE

FASTNET ROCK Champion 3YO colt & sprinter in
Australia in 2005. 6 wins 1000m to 1200m,
$1,724,100, VRC Lightning S., Gr.1, MRC Oakleigh
P., Gr.1, VRC Lexus Classic S., Gr.2, AJC Up &
Coming S., Gr.2, VRC Rory’s Jester P., Gr.1,
NSW Tatt’s RC Roman Consul S., Gr.1, 2d AJC
TJ Smith S., Gr.1, VRC Newmarket H., Gr.1, AJC
San Domenico S., <Gr.2, STC Pago Pago S., >Gr.2,
MRC Guineas Prelude, Gr.1, STC Skyline S., Gr.1,
3d AJC Sires’ Produce S., Gr.1, VRC Poseidon
S., L, 4th STC Golden Slipper S., Gr.1. Champion
Aust. Sire in 2011-12, 2014-15, second in 2012-
13, third in 2016-17 & 2017-18. Leading Aust.
Sire (worldwide earnings) in 2011-12, 2014-15,
2016-17. Leading Aust. Sire of 3YOs in 2011-12,
2014-15. Leading NZ Sire of 2YOs in 2017-
18. Champion Sire in Hong Kong in 2016-17.
Champion Sire in Bahrain in 2018. Sire of 1655
progeny to race, 1165 winners (70.0%), earnings
of over $175 million, 145 stakes winners, 115
stakes placegetters, inc.
ZHUKOVA (12f, Galileo, Indian Ridge). Champion
Older Female in Europe in 2016 (Int.). Belmont
Man o’ War S., Gr.1.
ONE MASTER (14f, Pivotal, College Chapel).
Champion Older Female Miler in France in 2018.
Longchamp Prix de la Foret, Gr.1.
LAGANORE (12f, Royal Applause, Sadler’s Wells).
Champion Older Mare in Italy in 2017 (Int.). Rome
Premio Lydia Tesio, Gr.1.
ATLANTIC JEWEL (08f, Zabeel, Nashwan). Leading
3YO Filly on 2012 WTR (Sprint). ATC All Aged S.,
Gr.1, MRC Thousand Guineas, Gr.1.
SHOALS (14f, Hussonet, Canny Lad). Equal Leading
Older Female on the 2018 WTR (Sprint). VRC
Myer Classic, Gr.1, ATC Surround S., Gr.1.
SEA SIREN (08f, Success Express, Haulpak).
Champion Older Female Sprinter in Ireland in
2013. BTC Cup, Gr.1, MVRC Manikato S., Gr.1.
FASCINATING ROCK (11c, Polar Falcon, Ela-Mana-
Mou). Joint Champion Older Horse in Europe in
2015 (Int.). Ascot Champion S., Gr.1.
FIRST SEAL (11f, Scenic, Best Western). Champion
Female Sprinter in Australia in 2015-16. ATC
Flight S., Gr.1, 2d ATC Coolmore Classic, Gr.1.
AVANTAGE (15f, Zabeel, Pins). Champion 2YO in NZ
in 2017-18. Manawatu Sires Produce S., Gr.1,
2d ARC Diamond S., Gr.1.
PLANET ROCK (08f, Zabeel, Defensive Play). New
Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year in 2011-12.
New Zealand One Thousand Guineas, Gr.1.
AGE OF FIRE (14c, Galileo, Soviet Star). Equal Head
of the 2017-18 NZ 3YO Free H. WRC Levin
Classic, Gr.1.
AMICUS (11f, El Moxie, Made of Gold). MRC
Thousand Guineas, Gr.1.
NECHITA (09f, Peintre Celebre, Marscay). VRC
Coolmore Stud S., Gr.1.
WANTED (06c, Snippets, Southern Appeal). VRC
Newmarket H., Gr.1.
IRISH LIGHTS (06f, Hennessy, Affirmed). MRC
Thousand Guineas, Gr.1.
ROCK CLASSIC (06g, Peintre Celebre, Luskin Star).
VRC Australian Guineas, Gr.1.
MOSHEEN (08f, Stravinsky, Kaapstad). VRC Oaks,
Gr.1, VRC Australian Guineas, Gr.1.
MERCHANT NAVY (14c, Snippets, Last Tycoon).
VRC Coolmore Stud S., Gr.1.
DRIEFONTEIN (09f, Export Price, Scrupules). SAJC
Robert Sangster Classic, Gr.1.
COMIN’ THROUGH (13g, Bite the Bullet, Afleet). BRC
Doomben Cup, Gr.1.
CATCHY (14f, Fusaichi Pegasus, Don’t Say Halo).
MRC Blue Diamond S., Gr.1.
UNFORGOTTEN (14f, Galileo, Nureyev). ATC
Australian Oaks, Gr.1.
HEROIC VALOUR (13c, Nassipour, Western
Symphony). ARC Diamond S., Gr.1.
AWESOME ROCK (11c, Giant’s Causeway, Fasliyev).
VRC Emirates S., Gr.1.
ATLANTE (10c, More Than Ready, Kingmambo).
New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas, Gr.1.
SUPER COOL (09g, Kingmambo, Roberto). VRC
Australian Cup, Gr.1, 2d Victoria Derby, Gr.1.
FOXWEDGE (08c, Forest Wildcat, Water Bank).
MVRC William Reid S., Gr.1.
LONE ROCK (07f, Lion Cavern, Night Shift). SAJC
Goodwood H., Gr.1, VRC Bobbie Lewis H., Gr.1.
RIVET (14g, Galileo, General Assembly). Doncaster
Racing Post Trophy, Gr.1.
DIAMONDSANDRUBIES (12f, Sadler’s Wells,
Darshaan). Curragh Pretty Polly S., Gr.1.
QUALIFY (12f, Galileo, The Minstrel). The Oaks, Gr.1,
Curragh Park S., Gr.1.
His sire sons include Hinchinbrook (18 SW), Foxwedge
(13 SW), Smart Missile (10 SW), Wanted, etc.

MATERNAL GRANDSIRE

QUEST FOR FAME, 5 wins 1¼m to 1½m,
£1,013,708, The Derby, Gr.1, Hollywood Turf H.,
Gr.1, Santa Anita San Luis Obispo H., Gr.2, 2d
York International S., Gr.1, 3d Breeders’ Cup Turf
S., Gr.1-twice, Santa Anita San Luis Rey S., Gr.1,
Hollywood Turf Cup, Gr.1. Sire of winners of over
$47 million - 43 stakes winners, inc. SARRERA,
VISCOUNT, TRIBUTES, DRACULA, UNWORLDLY,
DE BEERS, FAMOUS DIGGER, HOCKNEY, SEA<br> BATTLE, HIGH PRAISE, etc. Maternal sire of winners
of over $71 million - 59 stakes winners, inc. SKILLED,
EREWHON, TAVISTOCK, AFRICAN ROSE, NORZITA,
COMPLACENT, SENTIMENTAL

FEMALE LINE

1st Dam

TZU HSI, by Quest for Fame. 5 wins-2 at 2 and 3 in
succession-at 1200m, 1400m, A$233,700, AJC
Australian Income Protection 2YO H., Mick Young
Scholarship Trust H., Sydney City Lexus Hybrid H.,
STC Merrylands RSL Club P., Hyland Race Colours
2YO H., 2d STC De Bortoli Wines H., 3d AJC
CPR H. Half-sister to SULTRY FEELING, SWIFT
ALLIANCE, New Day Rising. Dam of seven named
foals, five to race, four winners, inc:-
ROCK STURDY (c. by Fastnet Rock). Subject horse.

2nd Dam

VISUAL EMOTION, by Silver Deputy. 3 wins from only
5 starts 900m to 1100m. Three-quarter-sister to
UNCLE WOGER, half-sister to Dospazos. Dam of 5
foals, all winners-
SWIFT ALLIANCE (Don Eduardo). 9 wins at 1100m,
1200m, NZ$6,000, A$628,100, VRC Bobbie
Lewis H., Gr.3, STC Sebring S., Gr.3-twice, AJC
Razor Sharp H., L, Show County H., L, Sydney City
Toyota H., STC Rosehill Gardens Event Centre
H., Rosehill Event Centre H., Great Steaks at The
Freeway H., 2d AJC Galaxy H., Gr.1, 4th AJC
Challenge S., Gr.2. Sire.
SULTRY FEELING (Encosta de Lago). 5 wins-1 at
2-at 1100m, 1200m, A$465,125, ATC Triscay
S., Gr.3, Birthday Card S., Gr.3, TAB Place Multi
H., Ranvet H., 2d MRC Blue Sapphire S., L, 3d
Qld Tatt’s RC Tattersall’s Tiara, Gr.1, ATC Magic
Night S., Gr.2, Newcastle JC Tibbie S., Gr.3, 4th
ATC Furious S., Gr.2, VRC Gucci S., Gr.3, Hong
Kong Jockey Club S., Gr.3, ATC PJ Bell S., Gr.3,
Darby Munro S., L.
New Day Rising (Fastnet Rock). 5 wins-1 at
2-1100m to 1600m, A$311,350, ATC De
Bortoli Wines Welter H., Schweppes H., Liverpool
Leader H., BRC Canadian Club P., STC Theslipper.
com.au 2YO H., 2d STC Pago Pago S., Gr.2, 3d
Toowoomba TC Weetwood H., L.

3rd Dam

MISSISSIPPI JO, y Gulch. Winner at 7f in U.S.A. Halfsister
to Peaceful Raider (dam of UNCLE WOGER),
Money Tree (dam of DIAMOND DOLLARS), Nyoka
(dam of BRAVE INDIGO, BEAT OF DRUMS,
GLACIAL). Dam of 9 foals, 8 to race, 4 winners, inc:-
Dospazos (Ogygian). Winner at 2 in Peru, 3d
Monterrico Clasico Flor de Loto, Gr.3.

4th Dam

MOVIN’ MONEY, by Dr Fager. 3 wins 1m to 9f, Del
Mar Oaks, Gr.2, Hollywood Park Allowance, 3d
Santa Anita Linda Vista H., Gr.3, 4th Del Mar San
Clemente S., L. Sister to IVY ROAD, half-sister to
COZZENE, MOCHILA (dam of SERAPE), Mesabi
(dam of FUNISTRADA, WAKONDA). Dam of 12
foals, 11 to race, 6 winners.

Mike Becker wasn’t going to stand a stallion so soon after launching Stockwell Thoroughbreds but he couldn’t let the chance slip when offered Fastnet Rock’s Group 2 winner Rock Sturdy.

“I guess old habits are hard to break,” Becker conceded. “But I found it impossible to pass up the opportunity when Gooree Stud asked me to stand him in Victoria.”

Rock Sturdy (5h Fastnet Rock - Tzu Hsi by Quest For Fame) was trained by Joe Pride and in his first prep won a Canterbury maiden on the way to a Group 3 placing in the Carbine Club Stakes during the 2014 Championships at Randwick.

He came of age the following spring in a meteoric rise up the ranks in Sydney. “He’s a nice colt, I’ve always had an opinion of him,” Pride said after a Benchmark 80 win at Rosehill. “He has a lot of upside and is an exciting horse.”

Pride was bang on the money. Rock Sturdy doubled up on a Heavy 8 at Randwick (1400m) and then ran Group 1 winner Manawanui to a head in the G3 Bill Ritchie Hcp (1400m).

That was the prelude to a career-best victory a week later in the G2 Shannon Stakes (1500m). "I like what I saw today,” Pride remarked after a crushing victory at Rosehill. “It was a pretty soft win and he wasn't under much pressure."

Rock Sturdy had got under the handicapper’s guard with just 52kg for the G1 Epsom Hcp (1600m) and was pre-post favourite to join Gooree star Desert War in the Big Mile.

"But the Epsom was the last thing on our minds when we realised he had pulled up with a suspensory," Pride recalled. "Not many horses return from that sort of injury but he came back and finished third to Turn Me Loose in the G1 Emirates Stakes at Flemington last year.

“That showed me what he was capable of at his best. He had a winning attitude and just found a way to get the job done.”

Stockwell Thoroughbreds will stand Rock Sturdy as its foundation stallion at Diggers Rest for a $7,700 (inc gst) service fee. His dam Tzu Hsi defeated Cheeky Choice in a Randwick nursery and the runner-up went on to win a G1 Flight Stakes.

“There’s no shortage of Fastnet Rock stallions out there,” Becker said. “But Rock Sturdy was top-class and his family goes back to Cozzene who won a Breeders’ Cup Mile and was Champion USA Sire at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky.

“I’m looking forward to doing business with Gooree again. They are serious horse people and were strong supporters of Artie Schiller while he was based with me in Victoria.

“And yes, I’m very happy to be standing a stallion again. Especially one with a stallion’s pedigree like Rock Sturdy.”

For more information & enquiries, broodmare owners should contact Mike Becker (0412 538 155) or Brodie Becker (0437 788 434).

Article from tbv.com.au

---

Rock Sturdy runs a brilliant third to Turn Me Loose in the G1 Emirates Stakes.