LEGENDARY racehorse Rock of Gibraltar – central to the Glazers’ takeover of Manchester United – has died aged 23.
The 2002 European Horse of the Year passed away with heart failure, Coolmore Stud revealed earlier today.
Rock of Gibraltar will be remembered on the track for his record-breaking seven consecutive Group 1 wins in the Northern Hemisphere.
He was the first horse to achieve this, breaking a record that stood for 30 years and won £1.2million in prize money during his 18-month stint.
He also sired 16 Group 1 or Grade 1 winners across the globe, including Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Samitar and Haydock Sprint Cup winner Society Rock.
He also won the 2000 Guineas during half time of Arsenal vs Chelsea FA Cup Final of 2022.
Off the track, he’ll be remembered mostly for his unfortunate involvement in a bitter row between his owners which ultimately led to the Glazers’ takeover of United.
Sir Alex Ferguson began legal proceedings against racing tycoon John Magnier as the pair were locked in a feud over the breeding rights.
Fergie owned half of the horse with Magnier’s wife, Sue, and believed that ownership stemmed into the breeding side too, where large sums of money can be made.
Indeed, following Rock Of Gibraltar’s last race in 2002, estimates believed he could be worth as much as £200m.
However, Magnier and his Coolmore stable believed Ferguson was only entitled to half of the prize money, thus meaning he made nothing from his stud career.
Magnier and fellow Irish racing partner JP McManus were the largest stakeholders in Man Utd at the time, which put pressure on the pair and Ferguson, who was then manager.
Supporters began to turn on the Irish pair and had planned a Cheltenham Gold Cup Day protest, which Ferguson had to publicly appeal against going ahead.
Fergie settled out of court for a one-off payment of £2.5m, with forecasters believing he would make that EACH YEAR had he agreed to Magnier’s other proposals.
Meanwhile, US tycoon Malcolm Glazer was ready to pounce on any fallout that would come from the dispute.
A few years following the initial fallout in 2001, Glazer made his move and swooped to take over the club for £790m, with Magnier and McManus reportedly making £70m profit from their stake.
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