Eighth Aussie Winner for Rock

13th September 2007

Rock of Gibraltar was back in the winners list again on Thursday at Mornington where three year-old gelding Maynooth (3g Rock of Gibraltar - Cloister, by Marauding) opened his account with a victory in the maiden event over 1223 metres.

Second at his most recent start at Seymour on August 24, the Lee Freedman trained Maynooth led throughout and proved too solid for the favourite Protesta in scoring by a neck.

Purchased for $320,000 by Demi O’Byrne at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast, Maynooth is raced by the Wynyarra Stud Syndicate.

Bred and offered for sale by Reavill Farm, Maynooth (pictured as a yearling) is a half-brother to stakes-placed Sister Declan being from the Listed juvenile winner Cloister, whose grand-dam is celebrated producer Summoned.

A remarkable broodmare, Summoned produced 13 winners including champion racehorse and sire Zeditave as well as Group winners Square Deal, Zedagal and Alannon, sire of top class young stallion Falvelon.

Maynooth is one of eight Australian winners this season for former champion racehorse Rock of Gibraltar, who is among the Coolmore owned stallions stranded at the Eastern Creek quarantine facility.