Rock Of Gibraltar row may not be settled until 2005. The fascinating row between John Magnier and Alex Ferguson over the stud fees of Rock Of Gibraltar is likely to continue with one leading Dublin-based lawyer predicting that the case may not reach the High Court until 2005, at the earliest.The lawyer, who wished to remain anonymous, stated “The case can’t be set down for hearing until the discovery process is completed. The discovery of documents will be critical and highly contentious. It will take some time and therefore the case is unlikely to come to court before 2005.” He added “In the bloodstock industry world a great deal is done by word of mouth and so there may be an absence of documentation. There appears to be no formal agreement in this case but there will be ancillary documentation which will prove or disprove one side or the other.”Ferguson was registered as a 50% owner of Rock Of Gibraltar with the Turf Club in 2001 although a Coolmore source, representing Magnier, said that this was only so that the horse could race in his colours. Although the case looks set to go to the High Court, many observers believe both Ferguson and Magnier will want to avoid a high profile media circus and may settle out of court.
