Iconic Royal Ascot winner Rite Of Passage dies aged 19 after unusual but brilliant career

RACING has been plunged into mourning after the death of iconic Royal Ascot winner Rite Of Passage.

The Dermot Weld-trained superstar has passed aged 19 after a ‘wonderful retirement’ in Ireland.

ReutersRite Of Passage after winning the Gold Cup on legendary jockey Smullen at Royal Ascot[/caption]

Rite Of Passage was a famously difficult horse to get right – and had a strange career in that he went from National Hunt to Flat.

But he excelled in both codes, placing twice at the Cheltenham Festival before claiming the big Ascot race in 2010.

Victory to his owner Dr Ronan Lambe at odds of 20-1 was worth a whopping £142,000.

The victory is particularly poignant given the late, great Pat Smullen, who died nine years later after bravely fighting pancreatic cancer, was in the saddle.

Smullen also rode him to third in the 2009 Champion Bumper.

Rite Of Passage raced just 12 times but won eight and came third three times, never finishing worse than fourth.

He won more than £330,000 and was one of the best horses of his generation.

Speaking after his passing, Weld told the Racing Post: “He was difficult to keep sound, but he was an extremely talented and courageous racehorse.

“His performance in the Gold Cup was one of the best for many decades.

“He had a wonderful retirement, he looked magnificent and his fabulous care is a great credit to the team at the National Stud.

“When I went to see him recently, he came straight over to me and reminded me of what an outstanding individual he was.”

Rite Of Passage’s death comes soon after the passing of Gold Cup hero Kicking King.

Sir Michael Stoute’s former inmate Fiorente, who went onto win the Melbourne Cup, also died recently.

Cathal Beale, CEO of the Irish National Stud, said: “He was a lovely gentle horse who lived out his days receiving the greatest of care from all the team here.

“I would like to thank his connections for entrusting him to us and pay special tribute once again to Leona Harmon who cares for all our horses with such great affection.

“He will be deeply missed by all of us.”