Knavesmire Legends: Rock Of Gibraltar

KNAVESMIRE LEG NDS ROCK OF GIBRALTAR

The subsequent victories of the 2014 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes winner, Muhaarar, brings back memories of the 2001 winner Rock Of Gibraltar.

The Rock, as he became affectionately known, made a winning debut in a Curragh maiden before finishing a respectable sixth behind stablemate Landseer in the Coventry Stakes. He followed that with a first Pattern race victory in the Railway Stakes back at the Curragh where he beat another stablemate Hawk Wing, who he was to tussle with again later in his career. Despite the impressive start to his career Rock Of Gibraltar was sent off only second-favourite for the Gimcrack behind John Gosden’s Waldenburg. Although he was the last of the nine runners to enter the paddock, he looked an absolute picture as his coat glistened in the warm summer sun. Ridden by Aidan O’Brien’s stable jockey at the time, Mick Kinane, Rock Of Gibraltar travelled strongly through the opening stages before striking the front two furlongs out. As the runners approached the furlong pole, Rock Of Gibraltar found another gear and ran right away from Ho Choi and Twilight Blues who filled the places. It was a truly emphatic victory. Post-race comments from the Racing Post summed his performance up to a tee: “He came right away inside the last and will be even better suited by seven. He is up there with the best of his generation.” However, they had to spoil it by adding: “That said, it would be unwise to be taking the 20-1 for the Guineas at present, especially as a line through Twilight Blues leaves him a fair way behind his stablemate Johannesburg at this stage.” Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Following his Knavesmire romp, he was beaten in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster but signed off his juvenile season with Group 1 victories in the Grand Criterium on the Arc card and two weeks later in the Dewhurst at Newmarket.

By top Coolmore stallion Danehill, Rock Of Gibraltar was bred by Aidan O’Brien in partnership with his wife Anne-Marie and father-in-law Joe Crowley. His name was inspired by that of his dam; Offshore Boom; due to Gibraltar’s low-tax status.

Rock Of Gibraltar made his seasonal reappearance in the 2000 Guineas where he was sent off a generous 9-1 with stablemate, Hawk Wing, the 6-4 favourite. In a thrilling race, the Ballydoyle duo crossed the line together, albeit separated by the width of the track. When the result was announced, the Rock had beaten his stablemate by a head. That was the final time that he was to start odds-against. After sauntering to an easy victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, he was just as convincing when taking Royal Meeting honours in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Such was his authority that he frightened off much of the opposition when he was eased to victory in the Sussex Stakes and his seventh successive Group 1 victory was secured in the Prix du Moulin in September. His swansong before retirement was to come in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Arlington. Well fancied to end his career on a winning note, the race simply didn’t go to plan. Slowly away, the Rock was well off the early pace and entering the home straight he still had the whole field to pass. In his defence he almost pulled it off but crossed the line three quarters of a length behind winner Domedriver. Despite this he was voted the 2002 European Horse of the Year.

The Rock now stands at Coolmore Stud in Co. Tipperary. His best sons include Hong Kong Cup winner and Investec Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain, as well as Group 1 winners Seventh Rock, Mount Nelson, Varenar and Society Rock who won the Duke Of York Clipper Logistics stakes here on the Knavesmire in 2013.

The winner of 10 of his 13 races, the Rock is another impressive Knavesmire Legend.