Rock of Gibraltar (horse)

Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) (foaled 8 March 1999 in Ireland) is a Champion racehorse and stallion owned by Coolmore. The horse stands in Ireland during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season, and Australia as a "shuttle stallion" during the Southern Hemisphere breeding season.

Rock of Gibraltar
Rock of Gibraltar
SireDanehill
GrandsireDanzig
DamOffshore Boom
DamsireBe My Guest
SexStallion
Foaled1999
CountryIreland
ColourBay
BreederJoe Crowley, M/M Aidan P. O'Brien
OwnerSue Magnier and Alex Ferguson
TrainerAidan O'Brien
Record13: 10-2-0
Earnings£1,164,804
Major wins
Railway Stakes (2001)
Gimcrack Stakes (2001)
Grand Critérium (2001)
Dewhurst Stakes (2001)
2000 Guineas (2002)
Irish 2,000 Guineas (2002)
St. James's Palace Stakes (2002)
Sussex Stakes (2002)
Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (2002)
Awards
European Horse of the Year (2002)
European Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt (2002)
Last updated on 28 June 2007

Name

Rock of Gibraltar is named after the Rock of Gibraltar, a monolithic limestone promontory in Gibraltar on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. His name was inspired by that of his dam Offshore Boom. Because of its low-tax status, Gibraltar has become a popular offshore location for British and international companies to base their operations.

Racing career

Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle Stables in Co. Tipperary, Ireland trained Rock of Gibraltar during his two seasons in racing—2001 and 2002. O'Brien also bred him in partnership with his wife Anne-Marie and father-in-law Joe Crowley. Over the course of two seasons he set a world record of seven consecutive Grade/Group 1 wins before finishing second to Domedriver in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Mile. Rock of Gibraltar was voted the 2002 European Horse of the Year.

For much of his racing career, Rock of Gibraltar ran in the colours of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was named as a part-owner along with Susan Magnier, wife of Coolmore owner John Magnier. Upon Rock of Gibraltar's retirement, Ferguson and John Magnier were involved in a dispute over the exact nature of the ownership of the horse. The dispute was settled out of court.

Race record

Date Course Distance Race Class Position Jockey Odds
21 April 2001 Curragh, IRE 5 furlongs First Flier E.B.F. Maiden Maiden (2yo) 1st of 6 M J Kinane 11/10F
19 June 2001 Ascot, GB 6 furlongs Coventry Stakes Group 3 (2yo) 6th of 20 M J Kinane 10/1
1 July 2001 Curragh, IRE 6 furlongs Railway Stakes Group 3 (2yo) 1st of 7 M J Kinane 1/2F
22 August 2001 York, GB 6 furlongs Gimcrack Stakes Group 2 (2yo) 1st of 9 M J Kinane 11/4
14 September 2001 Doncaster, GB 7 furlongs Champagne Stakes Group 2 (2yo) 2nd of 8 M J Kinane 11/10
7 October 2001 Longchamp, FR 1400 meters Grand Critérium Group 1 (2yo) 1st of 5 M J Kinane 4/5J
20 October 2001 Newmarket, GB 7 furlongs Dewhurst Stakes Group 1 (2yo) 1st of 8 M J Kinane 4/6F
4 May 2002 Newmarket, GB 1 mile 2000 Guineas Group 1 (3yo) 1st of 22 Johnny Murtagh 9/1
25 May 2002 Curragh, IRE 1 mile Irish 2,000 Guineas Group 1 (3yo) 1st of 7 M J Kinane 4/7F
18 June 2002 Ascot, GB 1 mile St. James's Palace Stakes Group 1 (3yo) 1st of 9 M J Kinane 4/5F
31 July 2002 Goodwood, GB 1 mile Sussex Stakes Group 1 (3yo+) 1st of 5 M J Kinane 8/13F
8 September 2002 Longchamp, FR 1600 meters Prix du Moulin de Longchamp Group 1 (3yo+) 1st of 7 M J Kinane 3/5J
26 October 2002 Arlington Park, USA 1 mile Breeders' Cup Mile Group 1 (3yo+) 2nd of 14 M J Kinane 4/5F

Stud career

His best sons include Hong Kong Cup winner and Epsom Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain, as well as Group One winners Samitar, Seventh Rock, Mount Nelson, Varenar and Society Rock.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Rock of Gibraltar
Sire
Danehill
Danzig Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
Pas de Nom Admiral's Voyage
Petitioner
Razyana His Majesty Ribot
Flower Bowl
Spring Adieu Buckpasser
Natalma
Dam
Offshore Boom
Be My Guest Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
What a Treat Tudor Minstrel
Rare Treat
Push a Button Bold Lad Bold Ruler
Barn Pride
River Lady Prince John
Nile Lady
  • Rock of Gibraltar is inbred 3 x 3 to Northern Dancer. This also means that Rock of Gibraltar is inbred to Nearctic and Natalma 4 x 4, however like all of Danehill's offspring Rock of Gibraltar is inbred 4 x 4 to the mare Natalma. As a result of this Rock of Gibraltar is inbred 4 x 4 x 4 to Natalma.

References

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