The Rock heads O'Brien breeders challenge
Europe could be represented by as many as 17 horses in the 19th running of the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Arlington tomorrow week.
The glittering card at the Chicago track features eight races and a total of $13m (€13.3m) in prize-money.
Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien is responsible for 10 of the elite squad.
Reach For The Moon goes for the Juvenile Fillies, Hold That Tiger, Tomahawk and Van Nistelrooy for the Juvenile (with Marino Marini and Ontario the two reserves), Hawk Wing for the Classic and High Chaparral for the Turf.
The team is completed by Rock Of Gibraltar and Landseer in the Mile.
Rock of Gibraltar’s part-owner Sir Alex Ferguson will be watching the Manchester United side he manages take on Aston Villa on Saturday week before returning home to watch with friends and family as his horse attempts to win an unprecedented eighth successive Group One race.
“I never thought this horse would get to this level – I don’t think anyone really did,” Ferguson said.
“I have had an amazing number of emails about him, particularly from the Far East where there are a lot of Manchester United fans.
“People compare this horse to Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard and just to hear his name said in the same breath is brilliant.
“Some say he is the best ever and some wouldn’t have him in their top 10 - it’s all about opinion and I don’t have a problem with that.
“People talk about who is better – is it Denis Law or Ruud Van Nistelrooy? Is it George Best or Ryan Giggs? Everybody is entitled to have an opinion.”
Ferguson gave an ominous warning to punters hoping to take on Rock Of Gibraltar in the Mile. He is a best-priced 6-4 with Ladbrokes.
“Aidan thinks the horse is still improving... which is quite interesting to hear,” he said.
“He is a tough horse with great courage and that is a great quality for any racehorse.
“I went to Arlington a couple of years ago and it is a very tight track - there’s not much more than 100 yards from the stalls to the first bend so the draw is going to be very important.”
