Rock of Gibraltar yearling makes $3 million

A bay colt from the second Australian crop of Rock of Gibraltar fetched a record price of $3 million when offered on the second day of the 2007 Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Not just any yearling, mind you --- the three-quarter brother to none other than dual Group One winning 2-year-old Holy Roman Emperor, a recent recruit to the Coolmore stallion barn.

Offered as Lot 270 at the energy charged night session that traditionally takes place in the middle of the three-day auction, the colt was offered by Coolmore Australia as agent and knocked down to premier Sydney-based trainer Gai Waterhouse. He is the eleventh living foal of L’On Vite (USA), dam also of stakes winners Milanova, Heart of Oak and Big Viking, while she is herself a daughter of the celebrated matriarch Fanfreluche.

Commenting after securing the Rock of Gibraltar colt, Waterhouse said: “That price was at the higher end, but I came to secure the horse and I loved everything about him. I came here to do a job and I think that job is done.”

Speaking on behalf of Coolmore Australia, farm manager Peter O’Brien claimed: “It’s not that often you get a horse that has both the pedigree and the looks. I don’t think there has ever been a better bred horse sold down here.”