Rock Of Gibraltar stud fees row set to be vigorously contested by Magnier.

Coolmore boss John Magnier has confirmed that he is willing to take legal action against Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the row over the stud fees gained from Rock Of Gibraltar.

A statement from Murray Consultants, PR firm for Magnier and Coolmore, said 'We wish to point out, in response to the lodging of legal proceedings against our clients by Sir Alex Ferguson in Dublin, that our clients consider them to be without merit, and that they will be vigioursly contested.'

The legal action centres around the star racehorse-turned stallion Rock Of Gibraltar. The horse raced for Ferguson and Magnier, but when retired to stud, became the centre of an ownership row. The stallion is expected to earn #12 million in his first full season at stud.

Ferguson refused to comment on the affair, saying 'it´s a legal situation, so we´ll leave it there.'