Rock of Gibraltar (horse)

Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) (foaled 8 March 1999 in Ireland) is a champion Irish racehorse who won the 2000 Guineas and Irish 2,000 Guineas in 2002. He now stands in Ireland during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season, and Australia as a "shuttle stallion" during the Southern Hemisphere breeding season.
Background.
Rock of Gibraltar is named after the Rock of Gibraltar, a monolithic limestone promontory in Gibraltar on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. His name was inspired by that of his dam Offshore Boom. Because of its low-tax status, Gibraltar has become a popular offshore location for British and international companies to base their operations.
Racing Career.
Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle Stables in Co. Tipperary, Ireland trained Rock of Gibraltar during his two seasons in racing—2001 and 2002. O'Brien also bred him in partnership with his wife Anne-Marie and father-in-law Joe Crowley. Over the course of two seasons he set a world record of seven consecutive Grade/Group 1 wins before finishing second to Domedriver in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Mile. Rock of Gibraltar was voted the 2002 European Horse of the Year.
For much of his racing career, Rock of Gibraltar ran in the colours of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was named as a part-owner along with Susan Magnier, wife of Coolmore owner John Magnier. Upon Rock of Gibraltar's retirement, Ferguson and John Magnier were involved in a dispute over the exact nature of the ownership of the horse. The dispute was settled out of court.
Stud Career.
Rock of Gibraltar's best offspring are Hong Kong Cup winner and Epsom Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain, and Group One winners Samitar, Seventh Rock, Mount Nelson, Varenar, and Society Rock.