The racing world is mourning the loss of Hawk Wing, a former champion racehorse described by his trainer Aidan O'Brien as possessing 'unbelievable' talent, who has died at the age of 26. The bay son of Woodman succumbed to colic at his stud home on Jeju Island in South Korea.
A Career of Highs and Near Misses
During a career spanning from 2001 to 2003, Hawk Wing won five of his twelve starts, amassing over a million pounds in prize money before his premature retirement. He announced his potential early, capturing the National Stakes as a two-year-old. At three, he secured a notable victory in the Eclipse Stakes but was often the gallant runner-up in a series of elite contests.
He finished second in both the 2000 Guineas and The Derby, as well as the Irish Champion Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. His versatility was tested on dirt in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Classic at Arlington Park, where he finished seventh.
The Lockinge Stakes: A Performance for the Ages
While his consistency was admirable, Hawk Wing secured his legacy with one breathtaking, record-breaking performance. As a four-year-old in the 2003 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, he demolished the field by an extraordinary 11 lengths, a margin that remains a Group 1 record for the race.
Jockey Mick Kinane let him make all the running, and the pair left their rivals standing in a display of sheer dominance. Reflecting on the win, Kinane said the horse had "done the talking" and silenced his critics. Trainer Aidan O'Brien, while ecstatic, had always been wary of over-hyping the horse's immense natural ability, noting he was the "sort of horse that can make you say stuff."
Later Life and Legacy at Stud
Hawk Wing's racing career ended after a below-par run in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he was later found to be lame. He initially stood as a stallion at the renowned Coolmore Stud in Ireland for four years.
In a move to bolster the quality of breeding stock, he was then exported to South Korea, where he stood at stud on Jeju Island. As part of a dedicated programme, he was available to breeders free of charge, leaving a lasting impact on the domestic bloodstock industry there. His death has been formally recorded in the Korean Stud Book.
The passing of Hawk Wing marks the end for a horse whose explosive talent produced one of the most visually spectacular performances in modern Flat racing, ensuring his name will be remembered for generations.
