Top racehorses at Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stable have been sidelined by a coughing epidemic
Rock Of Gibraltar (pictured), Europe’s outstanding miler, has been struck down by coughing, which has hit trainer Aidan O’Brien’s stables in Ireland. The brilliant colt will now miss the big York Ebor meeting in a fortnight.
Only a week ago, Rock Of Gibraltar equaled the mighty Mill Reef’s record of six consecutive Group 1 wins with amajestic show of speed in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
Rock Of Gibralter is the latest star from the Ballydoyle stable to be sidelined with the epidemic. Others hit by the cough include Hawk Wing, winner of the Eclipse Stakes, and dual Derby hero High Chaparral.
O’Brien had been hoping that Rock Of Gibralter would pass Mill Reef’s record in either the five furlongs Nunthorpe Stakes or Juddmonte International Stakes, over a 1 1/4mile at York.
Nearly all the O’Brien three-year-olds are reported to be coughing, and the situation is being closely monitored.
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