Prince Gibraltar claims G1 for Rock

The admirably consistent Prince Gibraltar (4c Rock Of Gibraltar-Princess Sofia, by Pennekamp) added a second G1 success to his career record on Sunday when winning the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden. Jean-Francois Gribomont’s home-bred hit the front a furlong a half out and when on to score by a length and three-quarters from Nightflower (3f Dylan Thomas-Night of Magic, by Peintre Celebre). “The strong pace was just what we wanted and he flew the final furlong,” said winning rider Fabrice Veron. Prince Gibraltar also won the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a juvenile and was placed in both last season’s G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Prix du Jockey-Club. Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget hopes the Rock colt will develop into an Arc contender. “He’s good going left-handed, which is why we went to York and then Baden-Baden,” Rouget told the Racing Post. “At York last time he pulled himself up slightly in front. He’ll run in the Arc and he’s entered in the Arc Sale on the eve of the race – he’ll go through the ring with that entry. I could see him doing well in Australia.”