Fastness, the son of Rousillon was bred in Ireland by Lord Weinstock’s Ballymacoll Stud Farm and began his racing career in France, where he became a Group 2-placed stakes winner. He was sold during his 3-year-old season to Evergreen Farm and brought to North America, where he became one of the West Coast’s elite turf horses, winning consecutive editions of the Grade 1 Eddie Read Handicap in 1995 and 1996.
