New Stakes-Winner for Rock

17th September 2007

We are delighted to announce that Rock Of Gibraltar is returning to stand at Coolmore in Ireland for the 2008 breeding season. The Rock - who stood in Japan last year - rewrote the record books as a racehorse when winning seven consecutive Group 1s and he now is building up a formidable record as a sire. At the Curragh on Sunday, he enjoyed his 16th stakes success when trainer Andrew Kinsella had his biggest victory courtesy of Rock Of Rochelle (2c Rock of Gibraltar-Recoleta, by Wild Again) in the Listed Blenheim Stakes.

"We were a little worried beforehand as this horse got a bit of a chill after his win here the last day and was only 90 per cent right coming here today," said Kinsella. "We think an awful lot of him and he's a really genuine horse who is improving all the time."

The colt, bred by Beau Cheval LC, looks on the upgrade and the Racing Post's analysis noted: "There could well be a ton of improvement to come from this horse, and a step up in trip shouldn't be an obstacle." The Rock has enjoyed an excellent year from his first two crops via the likes of Eagle Mountain, the G1 Epsom Derby runner-up and recent winner of the G2 Royal Whip at the Curragh, Mount Nelson, winner of last season's G1 Criterium International, Yellowstone, winner of the G3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and a G1-placed juvenile, G1-placed Red Rock Canyon and G3 winners Theann and Utrecht. Indeed The Rock is second only to Montjeu and Danehill in the list of leading 3YO Sires in Europe by prize money this year.