Rock N Roll Rocket and Shane Foley (nearest)© Photo Healy Racing
First-season-sire Far Above registered a first winner today as the Marnane family's homebred Rock N Roll Rocket (16/1) made a successful debut for trainer Jessica Harrington in Cork's Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden.
Initially racing mid-field, Rock N Roll Rocket quickened well to lead under Shane Foley inside the final furlong and held on well to score by a short-head from Powerful Nation with 1.25 lengths separating the first five finishers.
Harrington commented “he was bred by Con which is great and he'll now be nominated to head off to the Windsor Castle or Norfolk (Stakes at Royal Ascot). He absolutely loves that ground and has to have it quick.
“He was professional today but he'll definitely need another run before Ascot. I think he did it through ability rather than anything.”
Owner/breeder Con Marnane added “he is the first winner by the stallion and the first foal to run out of the mare as well so if there are any more ones like this fella, we'll be delighted to have them.
“Far Above is a cheap stallion but was a very very fast racehorse and was brilliant. Michael Orlandi owns him and stands him (for €5,000 at Starfield Stud).”
