Winx's ‘superstar' rival dies after sudden illness: ‘Sad day'
Happy Clapper, one of racing's most popular horses in recent times, has died at the age of 14 after succumbing to a bout of colic.
A multiple Group 1 winner, Happy Clapper was prepared by larrikin trainer Pat Webster and was renowned for his courageous performances against champion Winx.
He raced against the grand mare 11 times for six minor placings, getting closest when finishing three-quarters of a length second to her in the 2018 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Winx's former trainer Chris Waller took to social media to pay tribute to the grand campaigner and the role he played in Winx's illustrious career.
'Our thoughts go out to the connections of Happy Clapper and the Webster family,' Waller said on 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.'
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Happy Clapper gave Webster, a long-time Randwick trainer before his retirement in 2020, his first major in the 2017 Epsom Handicap (1600m) before adding the 2018 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and Doncaster Mile (1600m).
All up he raced 48 times for 12 wins and 18 placings, his prizemoney earnings falling just short of $7.3 million.
'It's a sad day. But when I think of 'The Clapper' there are so many great memories,' Webster told News Corp.
'He might not have been a champion but he was the best horse I ever trained.
'My family always tells me that they will be talking about Happy Clapper in 100 years' time because of Winx.'
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