A horse has died after falling on the primary day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Highland Hunter suffered deadly accidents in the course of the 2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase. The race was gained by Chianti Classico, who produced a easy spherical of leaping for jockey David Bass and coach Kim Bailey.
However, the race was overshadowed by the passing of 11-year-old, Highland Hunter, who solely final week led the funeral procession for late jockey Keegan Kirkby. The 25-year-old died after a falling at Charing point-to-point in Kent.
Highland Hunter was educated by Fergal O’Brien and owned by Nic Brereton and Lindsey Brennan. O’Brien posted on X (previously Twitter): “Not sure we’ll be tweeting again today after this. Absolutely devastated. Thanks for the messages we’re already receiving and those to come.”
Racing followers have been fast to pay tribute, with one posting: “Condolences to the top man @FOBRacing and all at his friendly yard on the loss of Highland Hunter. A fatal injury for the 11 year old that only last week led up the funeral procession for his pal, jockey Keegan Kirkby. Double tragedy.”
Another added: “I am absolutely gutted, that is just sickening to a whole new level. Rest in peace and give your bestest friend the biggest hug. You were an absolute star Highland Hunter, absolutely awful.”
Victory Chianti Classico was considered one of two runners within the contest for Bailey, and after Trelawne fell early on it was left to his stablemate to hold the hopes of the yard. He did so dutifully and travelled effectively all through to show for residence stuffed with operating and declare victory at 6-1, getting British trainers off the mark for the week.
Jockey Bass mentioned: “It meant a lot, it’s actually quite a good feeling to win here. It’s a privilege to ride these horses. It’s hard to win here though – 2020 was the last time and it’s been too long.”
Bailey added: “I thought at one stage ‘oh no, David is getting too brave’, but he jumped for fun and was cantering coming down the hill wasn’t he?
“David has been confident the whole way through, so he was right. He was absolutely adamant from day one he was riding this horse (instead of Trelawne). He adores the horse and says he’s a complete terrier, and he’s done that today like a terrier.
“He’s as hard as nails, he’s not very big but he’s got so much ability and is so agile, he always has been. When Aiden Murphy and I bought him, we said we’d bring him here, but I never thought it would actually happen!
“We’ve been knocking at the door for a while, so it’s great for everybody that we got it today. It’s huge for team, having a runner at Cheltenham is what it’s all about. Today has been the plan for a long time, we trained him for today.”