Mountain Rocks at Newmarket

3rd October 2008

Rock Of Gibraltar’s 2007 G1 Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain (4c Rock Of Gibraltar-Masskana, by Darshaan) made a winning return after long lay-off to take the G3 Nayef Joel Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

The four-year-old was having his first start since being bought from Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stable to join trainer Mike de Kock and looks set to finish the year with a bang after capturing the mile contest in a course record time.

"I thought the trip was a bit sharp for him today and didn’t expect him to win," said winning rider Kevin Shea.. "He’ll come on three or four lengths with a gallop or two, there’s lots of improvement to come from this.

"I thought if he was two or three lengths behind them then it would be a good run but he pulled it out and he’s a good horse. He was just thriving more and more at home and it got to the stage in his last two gallops that it was time to put him in a race.

"I think he’ll be back here for the G1 Champion Stakes next and then off to Hong Kong. He’s got a very competitive spirit and always wants to win."

Eagle Mountain, who was bred by James Wigan’s London Thoroughbred Services, was having his first start since being beaten by a short-head in last year’s G1 Champion Stakes at Newmarket. His big-race successes include the G2 Beresford Stakes as a juvenile and last year’s G2 Royal Whip Stakes.