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Rock Hard Ten gets off the mark Multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire ROCK HARD TEN (Kris S.) recorded his first winner, and stakes winner, as a freshman sire when Long Lashes captured the Ballygallon S. on Friday at the Curragh. Trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Fran Berry, the bay made her debut in the six-furlong listed event, where she rallied late and pulled 2 1/2 lengths clear. Long Lashes, who was the only first-time starter in the seven-filly field, could be supplemented to the August 30 Moyglare Stud S. (Ire-G1). Rock Hard Ten, an imposing dark bay, began his career with two straight victories early in his three-year-old season. Stepping up in class for the 2004 Santa Anita Derby (G1), the Jason Orman trainee finished a close second, but he showed inexperience when drifting in during the stretch drive. Rock Hard Ten was disqualified for interference and demoted to third, a decision that cost him the graded earnings necessary to get into the Kentucky Derby (G1). He aimed for the Preakness S. (G1) instead, where he checked in second to the runaway winner, Smarty Jones. Rock Hard Ten's summer highlight was a 3 3/4-length triumph in the Swaps S. (G2). Transferred to Richard Mandella in the autumn, he compiled a perfect four-for-four mark for his new barn, all in top company. Rock Hard Ten rallied from last to claim the seven-furlong Malibu S. (G1), defeating the soon-to-be-star Lava Man by a half-length. After capturing the Strub S. (G2), he dismissed a field of older horses in the Santa Anita H. (G1). Rock Hard Ten returned from a nearly seven-month layoff to win the Goodwood H. (G2), his prep for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Unfortunately, he sustained a setback on the eve of the Classic and had to be withdrawn. Retired with a mark of 11-7-1-1, $1,870,380, Rock Hard Ten was produced by French champion juvenile filly Tersa (Mr. Prospector), a half-sister to 1982 Kentucky Derby hero Gato Del Sol (*Cougar II). She is also the second dam of current Australian performer All American (Red Ransom), the winner of the Skyline S. (Aus-G3) who has placed second in the Blue Diamond S. (Aus-G1) and third in the Ascot Vale S. (Aus-G1). Further back, this is the family of Hall of Famer Silver Spoon (Citation), the champion three-year-old filly who defeated males in the 1959 Santa Anita Derby. Other notable family members include multiple Grade 1 victors Silver Buck (Buckpasser) and State Dinner (Buckpasser), and more recently, Grade 1 queen Catinca (Storm Cat). The eight-year-old stallion stands for $30,000, stands and nurses, at Lane's End near Versailles, Kentucky.
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