Rite of Passage (horse)

Rite of Passage
Sire	Giant's Causeway
Grandsire	Storm Cat
Dam	Dahlia's Krissy
Damsire	Kris S
Sex	Gelding
Foaled	29 March 2004
Country	United Kingdom
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Newsells Park Stud
Owner	Christopher McHale Dr Ronan Lamb
Trainer	Dermot Weld
Record	11: 7-0-3
Earnings	£223,244
Major wins
Ascot Gold Cup (2010) British Champions Long Distance Cup (2012)
Awards
European Champion Stayer (2010)

Rite of Passage is a British-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the Ascot Gold Cup and being named Cartier Racing Award for European Champion Stayer in 2010. His career was unusual in the fact that he established himself as a high-class performer under National Hunt rules before moving to flat-racing. His win in the Gold Cup came in his third start under flat rules.

Rite of Passage was bred by the Hertfordshire-based Newsells Park Stud. He was sired by the European Horse of the Year Giant's Causeway out of the mare Dahlia's Krissy. Since retiring to stud in 2001 Giant's Causeway has sired the winners of more than three hundred races, including 26 at Group One/Grade I level. His best winners include Shamardal, Aragorn and Eskendereya. Dahlia's Krissy was a winner in the United States and a granddaughter of the Champion racemare Dahlia.

Rite of Passage is inbred to both Roberto and Northern Dancer (see below).

Rite of Passage was sent to the Tattersalls October sale as a yearling where he was bought by Dermot Weld for 20,000 gns. Weld trains the horse at his base near the Curragh. Rite of Passage has been ridden by Robbie McNamara in most of his National Hunt starts and by Pat Smullen in all of his flat races.

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Wikipedia