Cup winner for Rip Van Winkle

14 MAY 2018 | BY RACENEWS

Jockey Hayley Turner gained her biggest victory since coming out of retirement with a power-packed ride on Ripp Orf (Rip Van Winkle) to win the time honored £105,000 Victoria Cup at Ascot.

The former champion apprentice and Group One-winning jockey conjured a paralyzing finish from Ripp Orf to snatch victory in the shadows of the post and land the major event.

“That was amazing. What a legend of a horse,” Turner told ITV Racing. “They gave me some good instructions to ride the horse with confidence.

“The big field of 27 really suited him as did the strong gallop. He just weaved through them and came with a flashing run to get up on the line. I am absolutely delighted.”

Rip Van Winkle is the sire of 22 individual stakes winners and is the second highest rated racehorse by his legendary sire Galileo behind Frankel - who interestingly is also the sire of 22 stakes winners.