Three-Time Group 1 Winner Rip Van Winkle Dies at 14
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Photo: Courtesy of Windsor Park Stud
Rip Van Winkle at Windsor Park Stud
Aidan O'Brien has paid tribute to Rip Van Winkle following the three-time group 1 winner's death Aug. 2 at the age of 14 at Windsor Park Stud, where he was standing in New Zealand.
Rip Van Winkle enjoyed a sensational career for the Ballydoyle trainer before joining the stallion ranks. He achieved an official rating of 130 at the end of his 3-year-old campaign in 2009, making him the second-highest-rated progeny of Galileo and beaten only by Frankel.
That season, he finished fourth behind winner Sea The Stars in the Stanjames.com Two Thousand Guineas (G1) and Investec Epsom Derby (G1) before defeating Paco Boy in impressive style to win the BGC Sussex Stakes (G1).
In the colors of Sue Magnier, Rip Van Winkle went on to land the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) that season before fending off Twice Over in a memorable Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York in 2010.
"He was a great horse. He suffered from very bad quarter cracks all his life but was a typical example of pure Galileo genuineness. Quarter cracks can be very sore. It's like having a split down your nail, and he ran through all of that," O'Brien said. "He had a lot of class and a lot of speed. Rip Van Winkle danced every dance and ran against Sea The Stars throughout his career. He's a horse we have many good memories of."
Rip Van Winkle initially stood in Ireland before going to New Zealand. He has sired the likes of Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1) hero Dick Whittington, Stobart Rail Northumberland Plate winner Higher Power, and Te Akau Shark, a multiple top-level scorer in Australia and New Zealand.
"He was an unbelievable racehorse and one of the best sons of Galileo, which is hard to do. It's a very sad day for everyone," said Rodney Schick, Windsor Park's stud manager. "We've had pretty good success with shuttling horses from Coolmore, and he stayed down here. He's had a really good year down here with Te Akau Shark. He was a great character, ultimate professional, and just a lovely horse to deal with. He's just a very cool horse."