.gif)
Rock of Gibraltar (horse)
Encyclopedia
Rock of Gibraltar (foaled 8 March 1999 in Ireland
) is a Champion racehorse and stallion owned by Coolmore
, for whom he currently stands in Ireland (during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season) and Australia (as a shuttle-stallion during the Southern Hemisphere breeding season).
He is named after the Rock of Gibraltar
, a monolithic limestone promontory located in Gibraltar
on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula
. His name was inspired by that of his dam Offshore Boom; due to its low-tax status, Gibraltar has become a popular offshore location for British and international companies to base their operations.
During Rock of Gibraltar's two seasons in racing (2001-2002), he was trained by Aidan O'Brien
at Ballydoyle Stables in Co. Tipperary, Ireland. 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 which was eventually settled out of court.
Rock of Gibraltar and the dispute about his ownership was the subject of a little-known book by Scottish sportswriter Martin Hannan (Mainstream, 2004).
have produced a filly called Sunstrike, who has won a race. Sunline was a champion mare, winning two W.S Cox Plate
s. His best sons include Hong Kong Cup winner and Epsom Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain, as well as Group One winners Seventh Rock and Mount Nelson and Varenar.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
) is a Champion racehorse and stallion owned by Coolmore
Coolmore Stud
Coolmore Stud, in Fethard, South Tipperary in Ireland, is the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses. It was established in 1975....
, for whom he currently stands in Ireland (during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season) and Australia (as a shuttle-stallion during the Southern Hemisphere breeding season).
He is named after the Rock of Gibraltar
Rock of Gibraltar
The Rock of Gibraltar is a monolithic limestone promontory located in Gibraltar, off the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is high...
, a monolithic limestone promontory located in Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
. His name was inspired by that of his dam Offshore Boom; due to its low-tax status, Gibraltar has become a popular offshore location for British and international companies to base their operations.
During Rock of Gibraltar's two seasons in racing (2001-2002), he was trained by Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....
at Ballydoyle Stables in Co. Tipperary, Ireland. 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
Domedriver
Domedriver is a Thoroughbred racehorse owned and raced in France by the Stavros Niarchos family. Out of the mare, Napoli, his sire was Indian Ridge who also sired Breeders' Cup winner and 1995 European Horse of the Year, Ridgewood Pearl and Relaxed Gesture, winner of the $2 million Canadian...
in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Mile
Breeders' Cup Mile
The Breeders' Cup Mile is a Grade 1 Weight for Age stakes race for thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up, run on a grass course. It has been conducted annually as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships since the event's inception in 1984...
. Rock of Gibraltar was voted the 2002 European Horse of the Year
European Horse of the Year
European Horse of the Year is an award in European Thoroughbred horse racing. Since 1991 the honor has been part of the Cartier Racing Awards. It is presented annually by Cartier SA to a horse of any age racing in Europe.-Honorees:...
.
For much of his racing career, Rock of Gibraltar ran in the colours of Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
manager Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
, who was named as a part-owner along with Susan Magnier, wife of Coolmore owner John Magnier
John Magnier
John Magnier is Ireland's leading thoroughbred stud owner and has extensive business interests outside of the horse breeding industry....
. 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 which was eventually settled out of court.
Rock of Gibraltar and the dispute about his ownership was the subject of a little-known book by Scottish sportswriter Martin Hannan (Mainstream, 2004).
Career as a sire
Retired to Coolmore Stud, Rock of Gibraltar and SunlineSunline
Sunline was a New Zealand bred Thoroughbred racehorse who was the world's highest earning racemare of her time, competing on 48 occasions for 32 wins, 9 seconds and 3 thirds to earn A$11,351,607. She won races in three different countries, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. She won successive...
have produced a filly called Sunstrike, who has won a race. Sunline was a champion mare, winning two W.S Cox Plate
Cox Plate
The W.S. Cox Plate is an Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne every October by the Moonee Valley Racing Club to honour W.S. Cox, the club's founder. For three-year-olds and over, the race is considered to be the Weight for Age championship of Australasia...
s. His best sons include Hong Kong Cup winner and Epsom Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain, as well as Group One winners Seventh Rock and Mount Nelson and Varenar.
Race Record
| Date | Course | Distance | Race | Class | Position | Jockey | Odds |
| 21 April 2001 | Curragh Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :... , IRE |
5 furlongs | First Flier E.B.F. Maiden | Maiden (2yo) | 1st of 6 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
11/10F |
| 19 June 2001 | Ascot Ascot Racecourse Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races... , GB |
6 furlongs | Coventry Stakes Coventry Stakes The Coventry Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.... |
Group 3 (2yo) | 6th of 20 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
10/1 |
| 1 July 2001 | Curragh Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :... , IRE |
6 furlongs | Railway Stakes Railway Stakes (Ireland) The Railway Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.... |
Group 3 (2yo) | 1st of 7 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
1/2F |
| 22 August 2001 | York York Racecourse York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August... , GB |
6 furlongs | Gimcrack Stakes Gimcrack Stakes The Gimcrack Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at York over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.... |
Group 2 (2yo) | 1st of 9 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
11/4 |
| 14 September 2001 | Doncaster Doncaster Racecourse Doncaster Racecourse is a racecourse in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It hosts two of Great Britain's 31 Group 1 flat races, the St Leger Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy.- History :... , GB |
7 furlongs | Champagne Stakes | Group 2 (2yo) | 2nd of 8 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
11/10 |
| 7 October 2001 | Longchamp Hippodrome de Longchamp The Longchamp Racecourse is a 57 hectare horse-racing facility located on the Route des Tribunes in the Bois de Boulogne at Paris, France. Built on the banks of the Seine River, it is used for flat racing and is noted for its variety of interlaced tracks and a famous hill that provides a real... , FR |
1400 meters | Grand Critérium Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October.It is the oldest and most prestigious race in France... |
Group 1 (2yo) | 1st of 5 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
4/5J |
| 20 October 2001 | Newmarket Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... , GB |
7 furlongs | Dewhurst Stakes Dewhurst Stakes The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was established in 1875, and it... |
Group 1 (2yo) | 1st of 8 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
4/6F |
| 4 May 2002 | Newmarket Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... , GB |
1 mile | 2,000 Guineas | Group 1 (3yo) | 1st of 22 | Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
9/1 |
| 25 May 2002 | Curragh Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :... , IRE |
1 mile | Irish 2,000 Guineas | Group 1 (3yo) | 1st of 7 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
4/7F |
| 18 June 2002 | Ascot Ascot Racecourse Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races... , GB |
1 mile | St. James's Palace Stakes St. James's Palace Stakes The St. James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.... |
Group 1 (3yo) | 1st of 9 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
4/5F |
| 31 July 2002 | Goodwood Goodwood Racecourse Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House... , GB |
1 mile | Sussex Stakes Sussex Stakes The Sussex Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:... |
Group 1 (3yo+) | 1st of 5 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
8/13F |
| 8 September 2002 | Longchamp Hippodrome de Longchamp The Longchamp Racecourse is a 57 hectare horse-racing facility located on the Route des Tribunes in the Bois de Boulogne at Paris, France. Built on the banks of the Seine River, it is used for flat racing and is noted for its variety of interlaced tracks and a famous hill that provides a real... , FR |
1600 meters | Prix du Moulin de Longchamp Prix du Moulin de Longchamp The Prix du Moulin de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three years or older... |
Group 1 (3yo+) | 1st of 7 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
3/5J |
| 26 October 2002 | Arlington Park Arlington Park Arlington Park is a horse race track in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Horse racing in the Chicago region has been a popular sport since the early days of the city in the 1830s, and at one time Chicago had more horse racing tracks than any other major metropolitan area... , USA |
1 mile | Breeders' Cup Mile Breeders' Cup Mile The Breeders' Cup Mile is a Grade 1 Weight for Age stakes race for thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up, run on a grass course. It has been conducted annually as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships since the event's inception in 1984... |
Group 1 (3yo+) | 2nd of 14 | M J Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
4/5F |