October 22, 2002. Copyright, 2002, Graphic News. All rights reserved

The Rock Rolls On
By Midge Todhunter

LONDON, October 22, Graphic News:  After a record-breaking seventh consecutive win in Group One races in Europe connections of Rock Of Gibraltar now plan a global campaign to prove their champion racehorse is the best ÒmilerÓ on the planet. 
Owned by legendary soccer boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Rock Of Gibraltar next heads for the prestigious BreedersÕ Cup meeting in Chicago. The coltÕs next and final target will be Sha Tin racecourse for the Hong Kong Mile on December 15, before retirement to Coolmore Stud in Ireland with an estimated value of £30 million. 
Rock Of Gibraltar will run in the $1 million BreedersÕ Cup Mile -- run on turf -- for which the colt would start red hot favourite. 
His trainer, Aidan OÕBrien, said: ÒHe is a very versatile horse, and is in good form. He seems to get stronger with every race. He has lots of speed, plus a Òkiller kickÓ -- he can quicken from anywhere in a race.Ó
But connections of Rock Of Gibraltar will be cautious in their decision about running plans, with memories of the OÕBrien-trained GiantÕs Causeway contesting the BreedersÕ Cup Classic two years ago, after that colt ran up five consecutive Group One wins in Europe. In the event, GiantÕs Causeway was narrowly beaten in the Classic by top U.S. colt Tiznow.
Sir Alex Ferguson said: ÒThe horse is tough and has courage, but to go to the BreedersÕ Cup and take on the best American horses, on a different track and with all the travelling, is difficult.Ó
He added: ÒAidan is very pleased with him -- he thinks heÕs still improving, which is interesting.Ó
OÕBrien has ten horses engaged for the BreedersÕ Cup meeting, including second-string Hawk Wing, entered in the Classic. A tough Group One performer and second behind Rock Of Gibraltar in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, Hawk Wing was also second in this yearÕs Epsom Derby, but has not yet truly found his niche on the race track.
The 2002 Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral, also trained by OÕBrien, is being aimed at the BreedersÕ Cup Turf over one and a half miles. 
OÕBrien, who is champion trainer of Britain and Ireland, took the BreedersÕ Cup Juvenile last year with Johannesburg. He has five entered in the Juvenile this year, but is only likely to be represented by two of them.
/ENDS