Rock Of Gibraltar has bounced back with two more classic prospects after losing the Group 1 English 1000 Guineas on protest last weekend.

Jacqueline Quest (3f Rock Of Gibraltar – Coquette Rouge by Croco Rouge) won the Newmarket classic by a short half-head from Special Duty (Hennessy) but the result was reversed by stewards.  It would have been a classic first for the Coolmore sire in England.

Trainer Henry Cecil is confident Jacqueline Quest can make amends and has nominated her for the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas on May 23 and the G1 Coronation Stakes on June 18.   She was bred by Roundhill Stud and sold for 60,000 euros at the Goffs yearling sale in October 2008.  

In the meantime, Rock Of Gibraltar’s current crop of Irish bred three year-olds aren’t standing still.  Champion South African trainer Mike de Kock has predicted a promising future for his filly Gibraltar Blue who won the G2 KRA Fillies Guineas at Greyville last Sunday night.

Gibraltar Blue (3f Rock Of Gibraltar – Holly Blue by Bluebird) was bred by Annalee Bloodstock and cost 75,000 euros at the 2008 Goffs yearling sale.  She started her career with a maiden win at Fairyhouse in August last year and was then sold to South African owner-breeder John Koster.

Gibraltar Blue is a younger half-sister to Blue Jeans (Bluebird) who won races in Denmark and the Scandinavian connection popped up again with former Ballydoyle colt Reggae Dancer on Saturday.

Reggae Dancer (3c Rock Of Gibraltar – Don’t Care by Nordico) won the Danish 2000 Guineas Trial when racing second-up at Klampenborg.  He was bred Pat Grogan and was a 220,000 euros buy for Susan Magnier at the 2008 Goffs yearling sale.  

Reggae Dancer made heavy weather of winning his maiden last year but finally broke through at Dundalk on October 23.  Three days later he was knocked down to trainer Bent Olsen for 30,000gns at the Tattersalls October Sale.

Now raced by Stald St. George, he was placed behind Half Dane (Academy Award) on April 17 and improved enough to defeat Sir Randolph (Academy Award) by over a length yesterday.

Rock Of Gibraltar shuttles to Coolmore Australia and has sired 115 Australian bred winners at a 52% strike – rate.  His present crop of local three year-olds includes the stakes performers Rock The Moment, Europa Point, Rock Jester and Tariks.  

Rock Of Gibraltar (Danehill) will stand the 2010 season at a $33,000 fee.