Kiwi Stakes-Winner for Rock

24th May 2008

Rock of Gibraltar has been posting stakes-winners all over the world in recent months and added one in New Zealand on Saturday when progressive juvenile St Culpe (2c Rock of Gibraltar x Run and Hide, by Ogygian) saluted in the Listed AuRC Great Northern Foal Stakes at Ellerslie.

The Mike Moroney trained colt was having his third start and has shown dramatic improvement each time he’s been sent out, culminating in his first win at his first attempt at Black Type company.

St Culpe took the 1400 metre event by half a length, settling midfield in the run and surging to the line in a dominant performance.

Purchased by his trainer for $50,000 from the draft of Segenhoe Stud at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast, St Culpe was re-offered at the 2007 NZB Ready to Run Sale in New Zealand by Lyndhurst Farm fetching $500,000 to top the sale when knocked down to New Zealand Bloodstock.

He is the third living foal of the Ogygian mare Run and Hide, a half-sister to three American stakes-winners from the family of Group One winners Kela and Air Shakur.

St Culpe is one of more than 30 stakes-winners worldwide for Rock of Gibraltar, who was also represented on Saturday by the Group One place-getter Murtajill (3c Rock of Gibraltar x Skating, by At Talaq) in Brisbane.

The Tim Martin trained colt ran a brave race to finish second behind red-hot galloper Apache Cat, who notched his fifth consecutive Group One victory in the BTC Doomben 10,000.