Fastnet Rock is arguably the most important horse in Australian history

NOT long before Angus Armanasco died, I asked him about Star Kingdom.

Fastnet Rock

NOT long before Angus Armanasco died, I asked him about Star Kingdom.

Old Angus was in the shadows of the post, but his eyes lit up.

Star Kingdom was imported from England by legendary breeder Stanley Wootton in 1951, and Armanasco was entrusted with dozens of the Star Kingdom progeny.

Within a couple of years, the Star Kingdom swarm had smashed all distance records up to 2000m.

Star Kingdom would be described these days as a game changer; champion sire five times straight, champion sire of two-year-olds seven times in a row.

He sired the first five Golden Slipper winners. There will never be another Star Kingdom, but Fastnet Rock would seem his modern equal.

If anything he has nudged the bar a tad higher. Smart punters, like smart buyers and smart trainers, are cottoning on to Fastnet Rock, who may prove the most important Australasian horse of all time.

He serves more than 200 mares a season (and that's just here) at $275,000 a time. He is conservatively worth $500 million. His good horses are exceptional and his best champions.

Your Song thrashed Rain Affair at Eagle Farm and is suddenly the land's most exciting sprinter.

Anthony Cummings reckons Your Song and Smart Missile rank equally as the best horses he has trained. Both are by Fastnet Rock.

Atlantic Jewel was ranked the best filly in 30 years by ratings' experts. She is by Fastnet Rock, as are spectacular Group 1 winners Irish Lights, Mosheen, Nechita, Foxwedge and Super Cool.

If Angus was still around, he might concede Star Kingdom has met his match.