Rip Van Winkle (Ire) has been retired after being injured while in training for the Breeders’ Cup.  He will stand alongside his own sire Galileo at Coolmore Stud in Ireland next year.

“Rip Van Winkle had a slight setback so the decision has been made to retire him,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said.  “He won the Juddmonte International (2000m) but he was a miler first and foremost.”

Rip Van Winkle (4c Galileo – Looking Back by Stravinsky) won the G3 Tyros Stakes at two but was beaten by Sea the Stars in the English 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Eclipse Stakes last year.

He bounced back for G1 victories in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and the Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes at Ascot in the second half of his three year-old campaign.  He finished a busy year with a trip to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup Classic but was no match for Zenyatta.

Rip Van Winkle won the Juddmonte from five starts this year and wasn’t disgraced when beaten a nose by Poet’s Voice (Dubawi) when defending his Queen Elizabeth crown last month.

He was bred by Roberto Brogi and his dam Looking Back has also foaled Italian Listed winner Le Vie Infinite (Le Vie Dei Colori).  The mare has the 2yo filly La Grande Elisa (Ad Valorem) and a filly foal by Galileo.

Rip Van Winkle cost 170,000 euros as a yearling.  He banked the equivalent of AUD 1.93 million for owners Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and his earning power will continue for years to come for Coolmore.