- Highland Hunter died today after collapsing in the Ultima Handicap Chase
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A horse has died a heartbreaking deathnorth on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, days after leading jockey Keagan Kirkby’s funeral procession.
Highland Hunter, an 11-year-old gray boy, collapsed and died after suffering a heavy fall in the Ultima Handicap Chase at 2.50pm today.
His death comes just ten days after he scored an emotional victory at Newbury under jockey Paddy Brennan.
He was the favorite horse of Kirkby, who died after falling from his horse during the last race of the day at Charing Racecourse in February.
The horse was driven through the village of Ditcheat for the amateur jockey’s funeral on March 5, where the 25-year-old worked for 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
Highland Hunter, an 11-year-old gray boy, collapsed and died in the 2.50pm race at the Cheltenham Festival.
He was the favorite horse of Kirkby (right), who died after falling from his horse during the last race of the day at Charing Racecourse in February.
Keagan Kirkby, 25, pictured with his girlfriend Emily Burge before his death.
The horse was driven through the village of Ditcheat for the amateur rider’s funeral on March 5.
The news was broken by ITV Racing presenter Ed Chamberlin, who said: “I’m afraid it’s the news we feared.”
He then read a statement from Cheltenham Racecourse, which said: “Highland Hunter was immediately cared for by expert veterinary professionals in the final stages of our third race, but sadly passed away.” Our deepest condolences to his contacts.’
After hearing the news, coach Fergal O’Brien tweeted: “Not sure we’ll be tweeting again today after this.” Absolutely devastated. Thank you for the messages we are already receiving and those to come.’
Kim Bailey’s Chianti Classico won the race 6-1 to take the Ultima Handicap Chase for trainers David Bass and Kim Bailey.
Keagan Kirkby was scheduled to race at Cheltenham this year but was devastatingly killed when his horse went through a fence wing during the second circuit of the race at Charing Point-to-Point in Kent.
Recalling the tragic incident, his girlfriend Emily said: “One of the other riders spoke to me afterwards and said the horse went through the wing.”
“He said no cyclist could have done anything to prevent what happened – it was no one’s fault.”
‘There were two ambulances, the course doctor and an air ambulance, everyone did everything they could to save him. They were so good.’
His girlfriend Emily Burge was able to tell him she loved him as paramedics battled to save him.
Kirkby is pictured with racing legend Sir AP McCoy in November 2013.
The couple were due to holiday together in the Lake District for Emily’s birthday in May before house hunting for their first home together.
Keagan had already raced twice at Sunday’s meet, placing fourth and second before participating in the final test of the meet.
The talented young jockey was looking forward to racing at Newbury later this month, his first at a renowned racecourse.
Hunter’s death brings the festival’s death toll to 75 since 2000, as animal rights activists continue to call for the four-day event to be cancelled.
Nina Copleston-Hawkens, head of animal aid campaigns, said it was “unacceptable” that this event was allowed to continue after another horse lost its life.
She said: ‘The racing industry will no doubt dismiss this victim as a symptom of the “inherent risk” involved in horse racing. This makes no sense. Horses do not accept this risk; they are raised in the world, pushed to the limit and killed when they are no longer useful to the industry, or on a racecourse after doing the best they can.’