O’Brien’s Rip Van is the man at last at Goodwood
RIP VAN WINKLE finally earned an elusive Group One success after landing the BGC Sussex Stakes on the second day of Glorious Goodwood.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt has suffered near misses in both the 2000 Guineas and Derby to Sea The Stars this season, but eventually earned his place in the limelight after recovering from an 11th-hour injury scare.
O’Brien almost withdrew his charge from the race after a crack appeared on his near-hind hoof, but showing no apparent signs of lameness, the 6-4 favourite, ridden by Johnny Murtagh, romped home to an impressive victory by two and a half lengths, leaving Paco Boy and 1,000 Guineas winner Ghanaati trailing in his wake.
Delighted O’Brien paid tribute, saying: “It’s all class with this horse, and all cruise and speed. We’ve never had a horse with that much class.”
Meanwhile, 11-1 shot Classic Vintage jumped beautifully to win the Racing UK Handicap, while Clive Cox’s Xtension, the 7-2 favourite, mounted a late surge to land the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes.