Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson gained some compensation for what is likely to be a trophy-less season at Old Trafford when his horse, Rock Of Gibraltar (9-1), won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket today.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien saddled a one-two as 6-4 favourite Hawk Wing just failed to peg back his stable-mate, who had raced on the favoured far rail.
Jamie Spencer, on Hawk Wing, opted to come down the middle as the field split into two groups and the decision seemed to backfire as his mount stretched well clear off his group but could not get on terms with Rock Of Gibraltar and Johnny Murtagh.