Dual Guineas winner and Batsford Stud sire Cockney Rebel dies aged 17

Cockney Rebel, winner of the 2007 English and Irish 2,000 Guineas and latterly Batsford Stud resident, has died at the age of 17.

The son of Val Royal was bred by Oak Lodge Bloodstock and won three of his six starts for owner Phil Cunningham.

He was sold for 15,000gns as a foal at the Tattersalls November Sale in 2004, when purchased by Trickledown Stud from his breeder, and was then bought by Bobby O'Ryan for 30,000gns as a yearling at the Doncaster St Leger Sale.

Trained by Geoff Huffer, Cockney Rebel won his first start at two before placing twice at York, including when third to subsequent Guineas runner-up Vital Equine in the Champagne Stakes.

At three, Cockney Rebel added the Newmarket and Curragh Classics to his CV , with the likes of the high-class Dutch Art, Duke Of Marmalade and Eagle Mountain finishing in behind.

Having ended his racing career when fifth in the St James's Palace Stakes, he was retired to stand at the National Stud the following year for an initial fee of £10,000. He moved to Haras de Saint Arnoult for 2014 before transferring to Haras du Thenney in 2016.

In September 2018 Cunningham announced he had regained full ownership of his Classic-winning star and would be transferring him to Batsford Stud in Gloucestershire for the 2019 breeding season.

Cunningham posted a tribute to his dual Group 1 winner on social media, saying: "He gave myself, my family and all of those connected with him such great memories that I could only have ever dreamed of. The horse of a lifetime, you changed my life."

Cockney Rebel supplied stakes winners Redstart and Monette, as well as a handful of Group-placed performers including Park Hill runner-up Groovejet, Superlative second Cock Of The North and the Group 3-placed Junius Brutus.

He had also enjoyed success with his jumps progeny, including Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Cockney Sparrow, who also finished second in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle behind My Tent Or Yours.

Cockney Rebel, the best runner sired by Val Royal, who he stood alongside during his first year at the National Stud, was out of the Known Fact mare Factice, who produced a further eight winners.

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