VINNIE Roe, a four-time winner of the Irish St Leger, has died at Longford House Stud in Co Tipperary. He was 27 years of age and was retired from covering duties in 2019. A heart attack is believed to be the cause of his death.

When trained by Dermot Weld, Vinnie Roe won 13 races, highlighted by four consecutive Irish St Legers from 2001 to 2004. He also won the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak and finished second in both the Ascot Gold Cup and the Melbourne Cup.

Bred by Virginia Moeran, Vinnie Roe was by Definite Article, a horse by Indian Ridge who was also trained by Weld when beaten by a short head in the 1995 Irish Derby.

Weld bought Vinnie Roe as a yearling at Goffs for £50,000 and trained him for film director Jim Sheridan.

Vinnie Roe retired to stud at Coolmore, but had limited success as a National Hunt sire. His best runner was Vinndication, winner of seven races for Kim Bailey.

Fastnet Rock

On Monday, Coolmore Australia announced the death of champion sire Fastnet Rock, aged 24. The horse was humanely euthanised at his place of birth and home for the past 20 years.

Coolmore described him as “one of the greatest stallions Australia has ever produced”.

Fastnet Rock’s total number of individual stakes winners stands at 197, including Atlantic Jewel and arguably his greatest-ever performer, Via Sistina, still flying the flag for him.

Crowned champion broodmare sire for the past two seasons in Australia, his daughters have already produced 150 stakes winners, as well as his sire sons such as Acrobat.

“This is such a sad day for everyone who has worked at Coolmore and played a part in Fastnet’s life. Our thoughts today are with all the staff who cared for him over the past 24 years,” said Tom Magnier.

“He was born and prepared as a yearling here at Coolmore and raced in the navy silks for Paul Perry and our ownership partners. Residing in the stallion barn for 20 years, he was the kindest and smartest horse you would ever meet and I’m so glad that we got to parade him one last time at the open day two weeks ago, where he looked incredible.

“Sadly, he suffered an injury over the weekend, which deteriorated rapidly and we did not want him to suffer. Coolmore Australia would not be what it is today without Fastnet Rock and we owe him so much.”

By Danehill, Fastnet Rock shuttled to Europe for many seasons and his best northern hemisphere runners include Fascinating Rock, Zhukova, Qualify, Military Academy and Absurde.