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Fascinating Rock has been retired to stand at Ballylinch Stud.

The five-year-old won eight of his 15 starts for trainer Dermot Weld and jockey Pat Smullen, including Group One triumphs in the Champion Stakes at Ascot and the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

Weld said: "Fascinating Rock was an outstanding horse to train. He defeated the best horses in the world from Postponed to Found. A good stakes winner over a mile, he had the ability to carry that speed to win two Group One races over 10 furlongs. He has great conformation, size and scope and a lovely temperament."

Ballylinch managing director John O'Connor told The Irish Field: " We are delighted that owner/breeder Maurice Regan of Newtown Anner Stud will partner with Ballylinch to develop Fascinating Rock's stud career, and both will hold a sizeable interest in him with the remaining shares being syndicated among breeders."

Fascinating Rock will stand at a fee of €10,000.