'Pure Galileo genuineness' - O'Brien pays tribute to Rip Van Winkle

Aidan O'Brien has paid tribute to Rip Van Winkle following the three-time Group 1 winner's death at the age of 14 on Sunday 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 three-year-old campaign in 2009, making him the second highest-rated progeny of Galileo and beaten only by Frankel.

Galileo's best progeny on official ratings

140 Frankel
130 Rip Van Winkle
128 Nathaniel, Waldgeist
127 Australia
126 Cape Blanco, New Approach, Ulysses

That season, he finished fourth behind Sea The Stars in the 2,000 Guineas and Derby, before defeating Paco Boy in impressive style to win the Sussex Stakes.

In the colours of Sue Magnier, Rip Van Winkle went on to land the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes later that season before fending off Twice Over in a memorable Juddmonte International Stakes at York in 2010.

O'Brien said: "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.

"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: all five wins came under Johnny MurtaghCredit: Gerry Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Rip Van Winkle initially stood in Ireland before going to New Zealand. He has sired the likes of Phoenix Stakes hero Dick Whittington, Northumberland Plate winner Higher Power, and Te Akau Shark, a multiple top-level scorer in Australia and New Zealand.

Rodney Schick, Windsor Park's stud manager, said: "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.

"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."

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