‘Horse of a lifetime': Sudden death of Winx's rival Happy Clapper rocks racing world
The multiple Group 1 winner's former trainer, Pat Webster, learned of the passing of his former stable star on Thursday morning.
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'It's a sad day,'' Webster said. 'But when I think of 'The Clapper' there are so many great memories.
'He might not have been a champion but he was the best horse I ever trained.''
Happy Clapper won 12 of his 48 races and earned more than $7.2 million prizemoney including Group 1 wins in the 2016 Doncaster Mile, 2017 Epsom Handicap and 2018 Canterbury Stakes.
'He is the only horse to win the Villiers Stakes (2015), Doncaster and Epsom Handicaps,'' Webster said.
The 14-year-old also ran placings in another 10 Group 1 races including four seconds behind the great Winx.
In the 2019 Chipping Norton Stakes, Happy Clapper famously attempted an all-the-way win and dashed five lengths clear on the turn. He maintained his advantage until near the 100m when, inevitably, Winx reeled in her old rival to win by more than a length in an epic finish.
'I remember the crowd gave him almost as big a reception as Winx after that race,'' Webster said.
'My family always tells me that they will be talking about Happy Clapper in 100 years' time because of Winx.''
Legendary trainer Chris Waller led the outpouring of love for the champion racehorse.
'Our thoughts go out to the connections of Happy Clapper and the Webster family,' Waller wrote in a post to X
'He was a horse who we had a lot of respect for; Winx had to be on her best game when running against him because he was capable of anything. He breathed down our neck a number of times and could have easily beaten us had luck gone his way, and against us.
'Well done Pat for what you achieved with Happy Clapper and for what he brought to Sydney racing.'
While Happy Clapper's former jockey Blake Shinn shared a heartfelt tribute for the 'horse of a lifetime'.
'It's hard to put into words just how deeply the passing of Happy Clapper hits,' Shinn wrote on X.
'I was privileged to ride him on twenty occasions, sharing seven wins and nine placings, including his three Group 1 victories. He was, without question, the bravest horse I've ever ridden — he showed up every time and gave everything he had. Our Doncaster Handicap win was a standout moment, one I'll carry with me forever.
'He was the horse of a lifetime — a true warrior on the track and a crowd favourite off it. It was an honour to be part of his incredible journey.'
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