Ratings honour for 'the Rock'

Rock Of Gibraltar has been rated the top three-year-old in the International Classifications, which were unveiled at a press conference in London today.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt, owned by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, racked up an amazing sequence of seven consecutive Group One wins before finishing an unlucky runner-up to Domedriver in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on his last run before being retired.

The son of Danehill was an impressive winner of the Irish and English 2,000 Guineas as well as the St James’ Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.

Rock Of Gibraltar’s rating of 128 puts him two ahead of stablemate High Chaparral.

The Irish and English Derby winner, who is set to stay in training next season, was also third behind top older horse Marienbard in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October after a long lay-off.

High Chaparral rounded off his campaign by taking the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Arlington.

French Derby winner Sulamani, who will be with Godolphin for a four-year-old campaign, is also rated at 126 after finishing runner-up in the Arc at Longchamp.

Marienbard, who won the Arc on his last start before being retired, is rated 127 to earn the mantle of top older horse.

Oasis Dream is rated the season’s top two-year-old on 123 after winning the Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes.

Although his form before the Newmarket race was only modest, he broke the track record in the six-furlong event.