'True warrior': Blake Shinn and Pat Webster pay tribute to 'fan favourite' Group 1 winner Happy Clapper
Updated . First published at
Three-time Group 1 winner and Winx's long-time rival Happy Clapper has died.
The beloved racehorse, who finished in second place behind the mighty mare Winx on four occasions, had been battling colic before the announcement on Thursday.
Happy Clapper won the 2018 Doncaster Mile in a memorable finish, while also taking out the 2018 Canterbury Stakes and 2017 Epsom Handicap.
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He retired having earned more than $7 million in career prizemoney, which included 10 placings at the highest level of Australian racing.
Blake Shinn celebrates after Happy Clapper's win. Getty
Pat Webster, who trained the galloper dubbed "the people's champion", led the tributes.
"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."
Top trainer Chris Waller also heaped praise on the tough-as-nails horse.
Chris Waller with Winx AAP
"Our thoughts go out to the connections of Happy Clapper and the Webster family," he said in a statement via social media.
"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."
Happy Clapper's name will forever be etched at Royal Randwick, with a bar named in the horse's honour in the Winx Stand.
Champion jockey Blake Shinn also posted an emotional tribute on social media and reminisced on their times together at the track.
"It's hard to put into words just how deeply the passing of Happy Clapper hits," he said.
"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."