Rock of Gibraltar (horse)


Rock of Gibraltar 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.

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

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

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