Three-year-old colt Keep On Fly continued a stellar run for Windsor Park Stud stallion Rip Van Winkle, producing a powerful run from the rear of the field to win the 136th running of the Italian Derby in Rome at the weekend. 

A 10 length winner at his previous start, Keep On Fly took the step up to elite company in his stride to beat Italian 2000 Guineas winner Mission Boy and provide his sire Rip Van Winkle with his 28th individual stakes winner.

Keep On Fly is out of the Duke Of Marmalade mare So Many Shots and is another example of the great affinity Rip Van Winkle has with the blood of Danehill/Danzig, this prepotent nick being responsible for 57% of Rip Van Winkle’s overall tally of stakes winners

Other stakes winners this season for Rip Van Winkle include the brilliant galloper Te Akau Shark, recent Australian stakes winner Naantali, Gr.3 winner Sleeping Beauty, New Zealand Cup winner Bizzwinkle and Riverton Cup winner Lil Miss Swiss.

Rip Van Winkle's fee for the 2019 breeding season has been set at $12,500 + GST.