US Stakes-Winner for Rock of Gibraltar
Rock of Gibraltar has sired stakes-winners in every corner of the globe, the latest to salute being Rising Legend (3c Rock of Gibraltar x Miswaki Belle, by Miswaki), who captured the Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar on Wednesday.
A two time winner in the UK as a juvenile, Rising Legend was sold privately and transferred to the stable of John Sadler late last year.
Second in the Grade III Generous Stakes at his first US run last year, Rising Legend was making his seasonal debut in this mile event on turf and scored a narrow head win, his third victory from eight starts.
“We were going to run him in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but he didn’t get in,” Sadler explained.
“He came out of the Generous with a little heat in his ankle, so we turned him out with the idea of bringing him back for a summer campaign.”
Winning rider Julien Leparoux added, “He’s a nice horse. And he’s got a great, late kick. Just what you want from a turf horse.”
A half-brother to Grade II winner Danehurst and Grade III winner Humouresque, Rising Legend is the third stakes-winner from terrific producer Miswaki Belle.
Rising Legend is the 85th stakes-winner for Rock of Gibraltar.