Written by Bren O'Brien
Group 1-winning son of Fastnet Rock, Prince Fawaz, will stand at Oaklands Stud in Queensland for the 2021 breeding season at a fee of $11,000 (inc GST).
Just over two years since his career-best performance, when he beat a quality field, including subsequent dual Group 1 winner Shadow Hero (Pierro) in the G1 JJ Atkins S., his ownership group have confirmed Prince Fawaz will be retired to stand at the Stewart family's Oaklands Stud at Umbiram, near Toowoomba.
"We are very excited and humbled to have the opportunity to partner with the owners to stand Prince Fawaz, a son of Fastnet Rock, at Oaklands Stud in Queensland,” said Stud Principal, Neville Stewart. "He is an outstanding individual with an outstanding stallion’s pedigree.”
Prince Fawaz will stand alongside established stallion Power (GB) and the recently relocated arrival Exosphere, with a limited number of Lifetime Breeding Rights available.
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Prince Fawaz was purchased at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by trainer Anthony Cummings for $220,000.
Prince Fawaz
Cummings recalled a natural attraction to the colt due to his depth of pedigree, and an abundance of natural talent was quickly revealed.
“He’s the most exciting 2-year-old I’ve trained,” said Cummings. “Right from when he turned up at the stables, he had a good attitude and was easy to deal with, obviously a horse of some quality.”
“Right from when he (Prince Fawaz) turned up at the stables, he had a good attitude and was easy to deal with, obviously a horse of some quality.” - Anthony Cummings
He made an immediate impression on the track, finishing a closing fifth, beaten 4l by Castelvecchio in the G1 Champagne S. at just his second start. Two starts later, he broke through for his first win in a 2-year-old race at Randwick.
He then tackled the JJ Atkins S. when piloted by Kerrin McEvoy, he proved too good for Kubrick (Shooting To Win) and Reloaded (Snitzel).
“We won a Group 1 mile race at only his fifth race, and he did it in dynamic fashion. It was a thrilling ride. He was lovely to ride, strong-muscled and was quite push-button. He had a nice, big action, covering the ground well," said McEvoy. “I can’t wait to see his progeny at stud. I think he’ll stamp them, and he’ll stamp them well.”
In winning the JJ Atkins, he became Fastnet Rock's first 2-year-old Group 1-winning colt in Australia.
Prince Fawaz returns to the mounting yard after victory in the 2019 G1 JJ Atkins S.
Returning to form the following autumn, Prince Fawaz was narrowly beaten into second by Castelvecchio in the G1 Rosehill Guineas.
“When he was on-song, he ran time, did it against the best opposition and he did it comfortably, so has all the hallmarks of a very good horse,” said Cummings.
Prince Fawaz’s dam, Lady Paget (Testa Rossa), was a two-time winner on the track who has produced three foals, all winners. She is from the stakes-placed Last Tycoon (Ire) mare Lady Capel, who has produced four stakes winners including the Group 1 winner and 2-year-old stakes winner, Casino Prince (Flying Spur).
It is also the extended family of Group 1 winners Onemorenomore (Red Ransom {USA}) and Green Birdie (Catbird).
