By Sean Cronin
Godolphin's October Book 1 millionaire Rock Montreal (Blue Point), a G2 Champagne and G1 Dewhurst entry, paid an early dividend on that seven-digit investment when making a winning debut in Friday's British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at Great Yarmouth.
“You never know what they're going to be like on the track, but he's been showing us he's a very straightforward and honest type at home,” explained winning rider Ray Dawson. “He came here ready for a run and it was nice that he was able to put the race to bed in the last half-furlong. It was on the firm side today and he handled it with his beautiful, big stride, but in the future I'd say he would like a bit of ease in the ground.”
The Roger Varian trainee raced four lengths off the tempo in fourth through the initial fractions of this straight seven-furlong contest.
Easing closer once past halfway, the 2-5 favourite was shaken up to gain an edge approaching the final furlong and drew off late to defeat Mino (Palace Pier) by an ultimately impressive 2 3/4 lengths.
Rock Montreal is the seventh of eight foals and sixth scorer out of G3 Ballyogan Stakes second Boston Rocker (Acclamation), herself kin to the dam of Listed-winning G3 Stockholms Stora Pris runner-up Icon Bling (Lope De Vega).
He is a half-brother to Group 2-winning G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Jebel Hatta third San Donato (Lope De Vega), G2 Gimcrack runner-up Rock On Thunder (Night Of Thunder), G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial runner-up Diablo Rojo (Pinatubo) and a weanling colt by Zarak.
2nd-Great Yarmouth, £13,000, Nov, 8-14, 2yo, 7f 3yT, 1:22.71, g/f.
ROCK MONTREAL (IRE) (c, 2, Blue Point {Ire}–Boston Rocker {Ire} {GSP-Ire & SP-Eng}, by Acclamation {GB}) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $9,468.
O-Godolphin; B-J Hanly, A Stroud & Skymarc; T-Roger Varian. *1,000,000gns Ylg '25 TATOCT.
We may have seen a good one at @GTYarmouthRaces! 👀
1,000,000gns-colt Rock Montreal holds a Dewhurst entry and creates a BIG impression on debut… 🔵@varianstable | @Raydawson101 pic.twitter.com/DwaW6Zf6hI
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 14, 2026
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