Hawk Wing (19 May 1999 – 1 December 2025) was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Owned by the Magnier family and trained by Aidan O'Brien, the horse won three Group One races and was the leading horse in the world in 2003. As a stallion he had some success.
2001: Two-year-old career
Hawk Wing was the top two-year-old of 2001 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, by virtue of a two and a half length win in the National Stakes. He was not undefeated at two, however, having earlier finished second in the Railway Stakes behind Rock Of Gibraltar. Hawk Wing's subsequent victories in the National Stakes (in an all-age course record time) and the Futurity Stakes led him to the position of favorite for the following year's 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby.
His next run was in the 2002 Epsom Derby, where his run in the Guineas was enough to give him the position of market favorite again. He ran second to stablemate High Chaparral. The pair were twelve lengths clear of a field including the winners of three major Derby trials. After the Derby, he subsequently dropped back to 10 furlongs and won the prestigious Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park. He was beaten a short head by Grandera in a renewal of the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, further prompting some in believing that he was not the most genuine of race horses. A runner-up finish behind Where Or When despite being the heavy favourite in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and a disappointing Stateside trip to the Breeders' Cup Classic further dented his reputation. Timeform rated him at 136, suggesting that this was the best performance in the world over a mile for nearly ten years.
Stud career
Hawk Wing retired to Coolmore stud in Ireland. His first crop were juveniles in 2007 and included 11 winners as of 18 August. In Australia, his Irish-bred sons Hawk Island (Wyong Cup, Parramatta Cup and JRA Plate) and Stand To Gain (Sydney Cup) have won stakes races.
After standing for a fee of €15,000 in 2008, Hawk Wing was sold to stand in Korea in a deal arranged by BBA Ireland Ltd. He covered an average of 80 mares a season in his first four years in Korea but demand for his services declined and he is recorded as covering only five mares since 2016.
Pedigree
Source:
Death
Hawk Wing's death was announced on 2 December 2025. He died of colic in South Korea, at the age of 26.
References
Sources
- 2002 2000 Guineas on Youtube
- 2003 Lockinge Stakes on Youtube