Thoroughbred Times
bookmark this page subscribe RSS twitter facebook
Subscribe to Thoroughbred Times

LOG IN TO THOROUGHBRED TIMES

 
Need to reset your password?
 


Don't miss the deadline!

Sign up now for the Freshman Sire Contest presented by Markel and Thoroughbred Times

Chance to win cash prizes for picking leading freshman sires in 2012

To sign up and enter your Stallion Barn, click here.

  • Bustin Stones sire of Bustinattheseams 1st Mdn (May 23, 2nd BEL). Owner, Bourque Goldstein Thoroughbreds LLC; Breeder, Eaton & Thorne, Inc....
  • Hard Spun sire of Ribbon Taffy 1st Mdn (May 23, 5th IND). Owner, Pucek, John Paul and Marcinek, Paige; Breeder, Matthew R. Herbener...
  • Petionville sire of Wups 1st Thoroughbred Maiden Derby (May 23, 9th BOI). Owner, Paul Treasure; Breeder, Michael Iavarone...
  • Jazil sire of Love Me Good 1st Mdn (May 23, 2nd PID). Owner, Sheltowee Farm and Blazing Meadow Farm; Breeder, Sheltowee Farm...
  • Hard Spun sire of Gleaning 1st Mdn (May 23, 4th PID). Owner, Robert T. Manfuso; Breeder, Nursery Place & Robert T. Manfuso...
  • City Weekend sire of City Sweets 1st Mdn (May 23, 3rd IND). Owner, Mast Thoroughbreds LLC; Breeder, Robert Gorham & Mast Thoroughbreds LLC...
  • Yankee Gentleman sire of Little Dale 1st Alw (May 23, 7th BEL). Owner, Vaccarezza, Priscilla, Amante, Anthony and Garrity, Christine; Breeder, Philip Birsh...
  • Philanthropist sire of Rob the Cradle 1st Alw (May 23, 2nd WO). Owner, Andrews, Denny and Paradox Farms Inc.; Breeder, Gardiner Farms Limited...
  • Luftikus sire of Joyful Kiss 1st Alw (May 23, 7th CT). Owner, Winfred L. Hess, Jr.; Breeder, Ann M. Casey...
  • Proud Citizen sire of Citizen Kat 1st Alw (May 23, 7th PEN). Owner, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.; Breeder, Mark Reid & Charles Zacney...
  • Mancini sire of Ride Around Sally 1st Alw (May 23, 6th IND). Owner, Joe Uliano; Breeder, Spade Stable...
  • Medaglia d'Oro sire of Dealer 1st Alw (May 23, 8th CT). Owner, Coleswood Farm, Inc.; Breeder, Family Broodmare, LLC...
  • Strut the Stage sire of Head Honcho 1st Alw (May 23, 7th WO). Owner, Annecchini and D'Alimonte Holdings Inc. and Kingfield Farm; Breeder, William D. Graham...
  • Indian Charlie sire of Nechez Dawn 1st Alw (May 23, 7th AP). Owner, Tresner, Coby and Matsas, Alex; Breeder, B. P. Walden Jr., Hargus Sexton & SandraSexton...
  • Posse sire of Parody 1st Alw (May 23, 4th PEN). Owner, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.; Breeder, Don Mattox & Pam Mattox...
  • Include sire of Window Boy 1st Grover (Buddy) Delp Memorial S. (May 23, 8th DEL). Owner, Luis Arenas; Breeder, Shelby Lane Farm Inc. & IncludeSyndicate...

NEWS

E-Mail this articlePrint this article

Industry News bullet



Most Popular Stories bullet

Most E-mailed Stories bullet

Rip Van Winkle rejuvenated
in Juddmonte International

Posted: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 11:46 AM

For video of the Juddmonte International Stakes, click here.

Rip Van Winkle (Ire) returned to prominence on Tuesday by nailing Twice Over (GB) and Byword near the finish line in the Juddmonte International Stakes (Eng-G1) at York.

With a precise rally under jockey Johnny Murtagh, Rip Van Winkle halted a three-race losing streak that started with his tenth-place finish to Zenyatta as the second betting choice in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) last November at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park.

Rip Van Winkle also spoiled Juddmonte Farms’ chance at a double in a race it sponsors. Byword and Twice Over, both homebreds for Juddmonte owner Khalid Abdullah, had already swept the top two spots, respectively, in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. Twice Over followed with a victory in the Coral Eclipse Stakes (Eng-G1) at Sandown.

Rip Van Winkle began his four-year-old season at Royal Ascot with a dull sixth-place finish in the Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-G1) before finishing a strong second to Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes (Eng-G1) at Goodwood. He won the Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-G1) last year for trainer Aidan O’Brien and owners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.

“He didn't run his race in America, but I think he's a great horse, he comes through anything,” Murtagh told England's Press Association. “Aidan had a plan this year with him that he was going to take it slow—there's a lot of big races coming up for him at the end of the year and we want to have him fresh and well. I think he’ll improve again from today, he was still a bit rusty.”

Rip Van Winkle won by a half-length and completed about 1 5/16 miles in 2:08.58. Byword finished another three-quarters of a length back in third.

O’Brien said Rip Van Winkle could target the Queen Elizabeth II again at Ascot, along with another trip to the U.S. for either the Classic or the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

“Last year, the Breeders' Cup was a wash-out because he was tired coming into the race,” O’Brien said. “This year we have geared him for the second part of the season.”

Trainer Henry Cecil said Twice Over probably will be pointed to a repeat bid in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (Eng-G1) and possibly another Breeders’ Cup shot. He finished third in last year’s Classic on Santa Anita’s synthetic Pro-Ride surface.

E-Mail this articlePrint this article

Post Comment

READER COMMENTS

Posted by: Jack, Baltimore, MD on September 12, 2010 at 04:15 AM

That rejuvenation didn't last very long for Rip after his 3yr.old stablemate ran him into the ground at Leopardstown. Cape Blanco made Rip Van Winkle and Twice Over look like optional claimers in that race.

Report Abuse

Posted by: KautoStar, Cambridge, NB on August 22, 2010 at 04:51 PM

Jack and John, are you the same person? Because you're both talking rubbish. Rip Van Winkle is a very good horse who suffers from acute foot problems. These were especially apparent throughout his three year old season. The Rip that pushed Sea The Stars and thrashed Paco Boy (3 time Group 1 winner) and Ghanaati (1000 Guineas winner) was not the same Rip that ran in the Breeders Cup Classic. Let alone the fact that he'd had a long season from the spring, he developed further foot problems the WEEK leading up to the race. When on song, he is a far superior horse to Twice Over, who has won the two weakest Group 1s ever. Some Americans seem to believe that Twice Over is an outstanding European champion, perhaps to boost Zenyatta, when in reality he really isn't. And for the record, he won the Juddmonte International by half a length with a strong burst inside the final furlong. If Twice Over was the best horse, why wasn't he sent off favourite? Oh that's right, he wasn't because he isn't and was beaten accordingly. Rant over.

Report Abuse

Posted by: John, somerset, KY on August 22, 2010 at 04:01 AM

Finally. Ballydolye's "King of over-hyped" wins a G1 race. Just by a flared nostril in his final, dying stride. Beating Twice Over by the slimmest of slim margins. Rip Van Winkle being over-hyped dates back to 2009 during his 3yr.old season. When trainer Aidan O'Brien, acting like minister of propaganda, constantly made this colt out to be the "second coming." Even the mighty, undefeated Zenyatta would not come anywhere close to beating Rip Van Winkle in the 2009 Breeders Cup Classic. Then, Rip Van Winkle finished so far back in the Classic field that the lead pony almost caught him. LOL. Maybe since Rip Van Winkle was able to win the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes at 10+furlongs at York. He'll come back to America in November for a second round of thrashing from Zenyatta in the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic. And send him back to Ireland once again with his tail tucked between his legs. LOL.

Report Abuse

Posted by: Jack, Baltimore, MD on August 20, 2010 at 03:37 PM

A win that was total luck by the over-hyped, Ballydoyle colt. Who's flopped much more often in big races than he's ever won. Twice Over was much the best horse in the Juddmonte International Stakes. He went to the front, and traveled well throughout the entire race. I truly don't believe Thomas Queally and Twice Over ever knew, or saw Rip Van Winkle coming. Because it was in Rip's last, dyer stride that he got his nose across the wire just in front of Twice Over's.

Report Abuse

View more comments