She was a talented Cummings' trained mare that defeated the very best in the Cox Plate

Brilliant mare Dane Ripper shot to fame as a three year-old filly when winning the 1997 Group one QTC Stradbroke Handicap for Bart Cummings with just 50kg on her back.
Dane Ripper is one of only two living female winners of the Cox Plate, the other being Australian Horse of the Year Makybe Diva.  It was a Damien Oliver masterclass ride when he guided Dane Ripper home in the 1997 Cox Plate, proving the young horse was one of the best of the late ‘90s.

While it might not seem it for jockey-turned-trainer Chris Munce, it has been 27 years since he partnered champion mare Dane Ripper to victory in the Stradbroke Handicap. A 28-year-old at the time, Munce’s ability to ride light won him the seat on Bart Cummings’ three-year-old filly in the famous Group One race. Dane Ripper went into the 1997 Stradbroke Handicap as a $17 chance with only 50.5kg on her back, and Munce said he went into the race with a bit of confidence given how good of a feel he had given her in track work. Jumping from barrier nine in the 18-horse field, Munce recalled his mount getting a nice run in transit in the second half of the field, before she let down with her customary turn of foot to set out after the leader and eventual runner-up, Quick Flick.

A homebred for Gae Codner, who had bred and raced her mother Red Express to win the Gr.1 STC Orlando Classic (now the Coolmore Classic), Dane Ripper was then set for the spring carnival of 1997, but nothing went to plan. The daughter of Danehill (USA) failed to win in three starts in Sydney culminating in an 11th placing in the Epsom, so was she was dispatched to Melbourne more in hope than expectation. Partnered by Damien Oliver and sent to the post at odds of $41 for the 1997 Cox Plate, Dane Ripper found her mojo to zoom clear and beat outstanding galloper Filante by a length and a half. It gave Oliver his first of two Cox Plate victories. She later proved that win was certainly no fluke, adding Group I victories to her resume in the VRC Australian Cup beating the brilliant Might And Power and the MVRC Manikato Stakes.

Dane Ripper was retired to stud in 1998 and has spent virtually her whole life at Coolmore. She remained in the ownership of the Codner family until she was sold through the Inglis Broodmare Sale fetching $50,000 to be owned by a Coolmore syndicate. At stud, Dane Ripper has had six foals to race, three of them winners headed by stakes placed Switchblade and Star Ripper, also a filly called Diamond Fever. After missing in 2012, Dane Ripper was sent to Golden Slipper winner Pierro, with a filly the result of the mating. Peroicity had 23 starts for four wins and three placings.

Dane Ripper's major wins included: 1997 Stradbroke Handicap, when ridden by Chris Munce, beating Quick Flick. 1997 Cox Plate, when ridden by Damien Oliver, beating Filante. 1998 St George Stakes, when ridden by Steven King, beating  Might and Power, 1998 Australian Cup beating Deinquent, 1998 Memsie Stakes (Oliver) beating Willoughby, 1998 Manikato Stakes (Oliver) beating Sir Boom.

RACE RECORD  - 29: 12-2-6
EARNINGS - A$3,151,833

Stradbroke Handicap (1997)
W S Cox Plate (1997)
Australian Cup (1998)
Manikato Stakes (1998)

Australian Champion Filly or Mare (1998)