3 September 2014
The trek of American-bredstallions to New South Wales studs,
which peaked in the 1970’s, ‘80’s and
‘90’s, has slowed considerably since
then for various reasons, not the least
being transported semen.
And at this stage it appears
that only one ‘new’ stallion will be
physically coming to NSW to stand
stud here this year.
He is the former North American
speed merchant Pet Rock (1:47), who
is to stand at Yirribee Pacing Stud
at Wagga.
He represents one of the leading
sirelines in the world, Pet Rock being
a member of the Western Hanover
siring dynasty.
Pet Rock was a top class racehorse,
winning close to $2million and at one
stage held the world record for a halfmile
track (1:48.2) and a five-eighths
track (1:47.4) and he was only 0.2 from
setting the world record for a one
mile track.
Pet Rock started on 45 occasions
over three seasons with 16 wins and
18 minor placings.
A winner in 1:52.6 as a two-yearold,
Pet Rock banked $934,518 at three
racing against top horses such as A
Rocknroll Dance, Bolt The Duer, Sweet
Lou and Thinking Out Loud.
Among his successes were the
$306,204 Art Rooney at Yonkers
in a stakes and track record of 1:51
and the $215,000 Windy City Pace
at Maywood Park in 1:51.8. He also
finished second in the Meadowlands
Pace, Messenger Stake, Cane Pace
and Battle of the Brandywine and
third in the Confederation Cup.
As a four-year-old Pet Rock really
came into his own earning $972,820
from six wins and five placings from
18 starts. He took his record of 1:47
at four years, winning the $471,800
William Haughton Memorial at The
Meadowlands, coming from post nine
with a 26.6 seconds closing quarter.
Pet Rock’s other successes at four
included the $150,000 Roll With Joe in
1:48.2 (beating Foiled Again), $200,000
American National in 1:48.4, $223,000
Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, while he
finished second in the $500,000 Breeders
Crown and $500,000 Ben Franklin Pace
and fourth in the Canadian Pacing
Derby and US Pacing Championship.
Pet Rock is a quality young horse.
Foaled in 2009, he is bred on a classic
cross - his sire being Rocknroll Hanover
and maternal sire is Artsplace.
Rocknroll Hanover was twice
America’s champion pacing sire and
from just five crops before his untimely
death his progeny earned more than
$65million with 152 $100,000 earners
and 39 in the 1:50 list.
Pet Rock (1:47) is Rocknroll
Hanover’s fastest ever progeny.
On his distaff side, Pet Rock has
another significant thing in his favour.
His dam Casual Beauty (1:54) also
left Stonebridge Ideal (1:52.2), Casual
Lauxmont (1:53.4) and Stonebridge
Adonis (1:54) and, in all, nine winners
from nine foals with eight in 2:00 and
four in 1:55.
Casual Brilliance, the dam of
Casual Beauty, left five winners in 1:57,
two of whom took records of better
than 1:55, while the third dam, Velvet
Dream, left 13 winners with five in
1:55 and is sister-in-blood to Canadian
Hall of Fame member Armbro Feather
1:51.4 ($1.4m).
Standing his first season at the
prestige Midland Acres stud, Ohio, Pet
Rock served a full book of 140 mares at
a $6,000 fee. He is standing his initial
season in Australia at a fee of $4,400.
Pet Rock is clearly a very worthwhile
addition to the ranks of NSW sires this
season and is likely to be well received
by breeders.