Rip Van Winkle (horse)

Rip Van Winkle
Racing silks of Susan Magnier
Sire	Galileo
Grandsire	Sadler's Wells
Dam	Looking Back
Damsire	Stravinsky
Sex	Colt
Foaled	2006
Country	Ireland
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Roberto Brogi
Owner	Susan Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith
Trainer	Aidan O'Brien
Record	14: 5-4-0
Earnings	£1,201,333
Major wins
Tyros Stakes (2008) Sussex Stakes (2009) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2009) International Stakes (2010)

Rip Van Winkle (foaled 2006 in Ireland) is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse sired by the dual Derby winner Galileo. Like his sire, Rip Van Winkle was also trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Winning his maiden at the first time of asking, Rip Van Winkle then went on to win the Group 3 Tyros Stakes. After that effort, Rip Van Winkle started as the 6/4 favourite to win the Dewhurst on his final start as a two-year-old but eas stuck behind a wall of horses in a bunch finish in which the first four home were covered by only half a length. He finished seventh, two lengths behind Intense Focus.

Despite the Dewhurst defeat, Rip Van Winkle started second favourite for the following season's 2000 Guineas largely due to his being still very unexposed and apparently the stable's first string as Johnny Murtagh had chosen him over Mastercraftsman. This was to be Rip Van Winkle's first clash with the eventual winner Sea the Stars, who went on to dominate the flat season. Rip Van Winkle finished fourth.

On Derby day, he was again prominent in the betting but, despite Johnny Murtagh sticking with him and claiming he was the best horse he had ever sat upon, it was his stablemate Fame and Glory who went off marginal favourite just ahead of Sea the Stars. Rip Van Winkle finished fourth, and the entire Ballydoyle team of six horses were again well beaten by Sea The Stars.

In his next race at Sandown, back at a mile and 2, Sea the Stars was bidding to become the first horse to win the Guineas, Derby, Eclipse Stakes treble since Nashwan. Rip Van Winkle tracked him throughout the race, and the two went clear two furlongs out. He looked like overtaking Sea the Stars, a half brother to Rip Van Winkle's sire, but as he drew level, his nemesis accelerated and won by half a length.

Rip Van Winkle then dropped back to a mile to win the Sussex Stakes. Paco Boy and the record-breaking 1000 Guineas winner Ghanaati were well behind him at the finish. He followed up with another Group One winning the QEII Stakes, again at a mile and again from the front, his stamina winning the day from Guineas second Delegator.

His 2009 season concluded with a run in the Breeders' Cup Classic behind Zenyatta after he appeared not to handle the track.