Australian racing has lost a crowd favourite, with the passing of multiple Group 1 winner Happy Clapper, who succumbed to colic at the age of 14.

Trained by the ever-popular Pat Webster, Happy Clapper was known for his consistent performances at the top level, often running gallantly behind the great Winx.

He took on the mighty mare on 11 occasions, placing in six of those duels, including a narrow second in the 2018 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

Chris Waller, who guided Winx to her historic career, paid tribute to Happy Clapper on social media for the role he played during her reign.

“Our thoughts go out to the connections of Happy Clapper and the Webster family,” Waller said on X.

“He was a horse who we had a lot of respect for; Winx had to be on her best game when running against him because he was capable of anything. He breathed down our neck a number of times and could have easily beaten us had luck gone his way, and against us.

“Well done Pat for what you achieved with Happy Clapper and for what he brought to Sydney racing.”

Webster, who retired in 2020, celebrated his first major win with Happy Clapper in the 2017 Epsom Handicap, and later captured Group 1 success in the Canterbury Stakes and Doncaster Mile in 2018.

In total, Happy Clapper made 48 starts, recording 12 wins and 18 minor placings, earning just shy of $7.3 million.