Forced into retreat by injury in 2010, Coolmore’s one-time powerhouse Rip Van Winkle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Looking Back, by Stravinsky) has only just begun to show signs of stirring in his residence at Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand. In the last month, the pairing of Te Akau Shark (NZ) and Jennifer Eccles (NZ) took his reputation to the next level with the former winning the G1 BCD Group Sprint and G1 Chipping Norton S. and the latter the G1 New Zealand Oaks. That placed him sixth in his county’s sires’ premiership with nearly $1.2-million in prize money, so is it that the Rip Van Winkle we remember as second only to the incomparable Frankel (GB) among Galileo’s exalted progeny list is coming good?

First, let’s reflect on what he was as a racer. For all who remember, the relative bargain buy at just €170,000 at the SGA September Yearling Sale in Italy carried a substantial reputation into his juvenile debut in the Curragh maiden Aidan O’Brien reserves for his best on Irish Derby weekend in 2008. Unfortunately, he was born in the same year as Sea the Stars (Ire) and therefore met with a trio of defeats at the hands of that Kildare goliath in the G1 2000 Guineas, G1 Epsom Derby and G1 Eclipse S. Turned away from more conflict with his generation leader, he was able to demonstrate a rare versatility by annexing the G1 Sussex S. and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at a mile having finished just two-lengths fourth over a mile and a half at Epsom. Adding the G1 Juddmonte International at York over the intermediate trip of 10 furlongs in 2010, he still sits above the likes of Nathaniel (Ire), Waldgeist (GB), Australia (GB), New Approach (Ire), Highland Reel (Ire) and Found (Ire) and countless others who have clamoured for their sire’s bragging rights in the official rankings.

Aidan O’Brien was always effusive in his praise for the attractive bay. “He is probably the most natural athlete we have had,” he said prior to an ultimately fruitless tilt on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride at the 2009 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“The movement, enthusiasm and athleticism he has compares with George Washington but he doesn’t have his attitude issues.” After his Sussex victory, the Ballydoyle handler issued this statement. “I can’t tell you how amazing a horse this is, he’s had problems all along and never had a clear run at any race this year. He’s never shown anything but pure, mad determination, and he has class. That’s what you can’t beat.” His rider Johnny Murtagh added at the time, “At the start of this year, I thought this lad was going to be unbeatable. I’ve always said he’s one of the best I’ve ridden.”

At the beginning of his stud career, the vital signs were positive as Rip Van Winkle churned out the likes of the G1 Phoenix S. winner Dick Whittington (Ire) and the Group 3 winner I Am Beautiful (Ire), but despite the useful Creggs Pipes (Ire) and The Happy Prince (Ire) his status in Europe generally waned thereafter. Purchased wholesale by Windsor Park in 2017, his resurgence has been helped not only by Te Akau Shark and Jennifer Eccles but also by the recent G3 Anniversary S. scorer Germanicus (NZ) and the exciting Chris Waller project Subpoenaed (NZ). Other group winners in the Southern Hemisphere include Capella (NZ), Lasarla (NZ) and Kingsguard (NZ), while his own adaptability has been mirrored in the top-level successes of his progeny from six to 12 furlongs.

Following her NZ Oaks victory, Jennifer Eccles is now named the NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year with a points total of 44.5 which rates as the highest achieved in the modern era. Te Akau Shark’s popularity continues to soar in Australia.

“I think his progeny benefit from considerate handling, and Te Akau Shark is the perfect example of that,” Windsor Park general manager Steve Till states. Perhaps it has taken the same gentle nudging to ease Rip Van Winkle from his slumbers and it could be that the results will be seen for some time. Asleep no more, it seems.