Kinane reflects on Rock Of Gibraltar cementing star status at Ascot
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 12 Jun 2026
Aidan O’Brien may be quickly bearing down on 100 Royal Ascot winners, but he was still in single figures when “absolute racing machine” Rock Of Gibraltar cemented his star status at the meeting 14 years ago.
Sporting the colours of then Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the son of Danehill had already crossed the sporting divide by the time he arrived at the Royal meeting, downing his stablemate Hawk Wing in an unforgettable climax to the 2000 Guineas before following up that Newmarket triumph on home soil in the Irish equivalent.
However, for all the prestige Classic honours bring, it is triumph in front of Royal Ascot’s global audience that ensures immortality and Rock Of Gibraltar was ready to live up to his star billing in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
Mick Kinane has a look round at the line (John Walton/PA)
After travelling effortlessly into contention, big-race pilot Mick Kinane asked his mount to demonstrate his trademark electric burst of pace, bringing a scintillating display to a winning crescendo.
Now 66, the memories of Rock Of Gibraltar still live long in the memory of Kinane.
“He was an absolute racing machine. He had a turn of foot for 150 yards which was unmatched by any horse, he was a joy to ride – and probably to watch – and he just loved his game,” he said.
“That day he won the St James’s Palace he was just hacking away to the start, he was asleep and I was nearly asleep on top of him and as soon as they came to him at the start he threw a buck and a kick and a squeal, he thought it was great craic.
“He loved being a racehorse and he was a special horse to ride, he was just push-button and a child could ride him really, but fortunately I was the one getting the job.”
Rock Of Gibraltar and Mick Kinane on their way to the start at Ascot (John Walton/PA)
Rock Of Gibraltar was one of two St James’s Palace Stakes winners Kinane would partner for O’Brien having also guided another Ballydoyle great, Giant’s Causeway, to victory in the opening day Group One two years prior.
However, while St James’s Palace success would be the catalyst for the Iron Horse heading on a phenomenal five-race winning run in the mid-part of his three-year-old career, Ascot joy was simply another lap of honour for Rock Of Gibraltar and Group One number five of a career that would yield 10 wins from 13 outings.
Kinane continued: “He was already a champion by the time he went to Ascot and with the likes of him he was so uncomplicated, not like Giant’s Causeway who was tough and loved a battle but you had to drag everything out of him.
“It was always a balancing act between being too strong on Giant’s Causeway or when to use the whip, whereas with Rock Of Gibraltar it was always hands and heels and he would give you everything.”
The respective Guineas had of course proved a cruel mistress for Giant’s Causeway in the early stages of his Classic season, second to King’s Best at Newmarket before a neck reversal to Bachir saw him fill the same spot at the Curragh.
Giant’s Causeway (dark blue cap) goes on to win the St James’s Palace Stakes (Sean Dempsey/PA)
However, every day at school brought about new discoveries for O’Brien and Kinane in the saddle and at Ascot they set about putting right what had gone before, finding a way to highlight every ounce of guts and talent the son of Storm Cat had at his disposal.
“We had to just learn his strengths and sometimes it can take a while to get to know a tough horse like him,” explained Kinane.
“He would sweat a lot and you were wondering if he was worrying or if he was just working himself up for a fight, as he just loved a dogfight.
“You had to find his strengths and learn which tracks suited him well. After getting beat by maybe enough pace in the race and using his strengths we were learning how best to ride him.”
Does Talk Of New York pose a threat to the Classic winners in the St James’s Palace Stakes? (John Walton/PA)
Kinane remains the most successful jockey in the St James’s Palace Stakes winning the race six times in total during a career that came to an end in 2009 after the most fitting swansong when he would steer Sea The Stars to Guineas, Derby and Arc glory.
A race which always proves one to savour, the Irishman is among the many eagerly anticipating this year’s clash of the best three-year-old milers and a race he thinks Charlie Appleby’s Heron Stakes scorer Talk Of New York could prove a thorn in the proven Classic winners’ side.
Kinane said: “The St James’s Palace is the champions race and it’s where Guineas winners meet. French, Irish, English – you can separate off early in the season, but if you want a champion stallion you need to come and get that St James’s Palace on top.
“It’s a good race this year and Bow Echo was very impressive and then Gstaad franked the form in the Curragh.
“But then Charlie Appleby’s horse that won at Sandown, he could be a big danger. It will be a fascinating race and that’s what Royal Ascot is all about, there is no day of racing anywhere that can compare to the start of that meeting.
“Ascot is a great place when things go well, but it’s harder to get off the stool when you are getting beat!
“Nobody shows up there to lose and it’s a big week for everyone and they want to be in that winner’s enclosure. If you make mistakes and things go wrong then you pay the price, it’s the nature of sport.
“He (O’Brien) has some great horses for a great organisation, but they go to an exceptional trainer.”
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