RACING/News round-up: It was confirmed yesterday that Rock Of Gibraltar, winner of a record-breaking seven successive Group One races, has been retired to Coolmore Stud in Co Tipperary.
The three-year-old colt, trained by Aidan O'Brien, made history when he won the NetJets Prix du Moulin at Longchamp in September to overtake the great Mill Reef's record of six victories at the highest level in 1971-1972.
Winner of 10 of his 13 starts, 'The Rock' as he became known, amassed a total of £1,269,800 in win and place money, of which £1,100,230 was from his victories.
"Rock Of Gibraltar will stand the 2003 season alongside his sire Danehill at Coolmore," a spokesman for the stud said.
The fee has yet to be decided but industry sources suggest that it could be €100,000 (about £62,000). The horse is to stand here despite intense pressure from breeders, especially those in America, following his excellent Breeders' Cup Mile run.
Just like another O'Brien charge Giant's Causeway, he was beaten but came out of the defeat with flying colours. Rock Of Gibraltar's winning run came to a slightly controversial end when he was beaten by Domedriver at Arlington last month.
However, that reverse should not take away anything from the glittering career of a colt that helped bring closer ties between horse racing and football for he carried the red and white colours of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
He bought a share of the horse halfway through his two-year-old campaign that had given hardly any hint of the heights he was to achieve.
Ferguson paid tribute to the colt yesterday: "As a relative newcomer into ownership I cannot adequately express the pleasure I have derived from the association with such a great horse."
"I owe an eternal debt of thanks to everyone associated with Ballydoyle. While I will be saddened not to see Rock Of Gibraltar in action on the racecourse, have every confidence that he will transmit his amazing talent and courage to his offspring."
• Chicuelo is already a warm order to give Martin Pipe his fourth win in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup in five years and his sixth altogether in the Cheltenham showpiece on Saturday.
The six-year-old is only 7 to 4 from 5 to 2 for the £100,000 event over an extended two and a half miles following yesterday's confirmation stage, for which 20 horses stood their ground.
Tony McCoy has pledged his allegiance to Chicuelo even though he may have to ride below his minimum of 10st 2lb.
Jim Culloty the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National winning jockey has plumped for Perfect Fellow over Foly Pleasant.
Trainer Tony Martin has taken out Ross Moff, who had been second favourite in some lists.
However, there is likely to be an Irish presence though as five have stood their ground.
They are Its Time for A Win and Killultagh Storm, both from the Willie Mullins stable, Christy Roche's Risk Accessor and the Noel Meade-trained pair Kings Valley and Royal Jake.
