New Zealand stud Windsor Park Stud this morning announced the loss of their successful stallion Rip Van Winkle due to illness.
“It’s a devasting blow for us and the industry losing a successful sire, especially one who has just enjoyed a great season on the racetrack,” Windsor Park Stud’s Rodney Schick said.
“We can only look forward to the remaining crops he has to come and to the impact his daughters are sure to make at stud.”
Rip Van Winkle sired 31 individual stakes winners including Group One winners over 1200m, 1400m, 1600m and 2400m in multiple countries.
Rip Van Winkle a son of the world’s best sire Galileo was trained by Aidan O’Brien and was twice named world champion miler with a Timeform rating of 134.
His progeny includes Cox Plate place getter and multiple G1 winner Te Akau Shark as well as NZ Filly of the Year Jennifer Eccles.