By Jon Lees
A horse whose most recent act was to lead the procession at the funeral of amateur jockey Keagan Kirkby lost his life at Cheltenham on Tuesday.
Highland Hunter, an 11-year-old grey, delivered an emotional victory when he won at Newbury ten days earlier under jockey Paddy Brennan. He was the favourite horse of Kirkby, who died after suffering multiple injuries when his horse stopped at a fence, bolted into the side of a jump, throwing him off and then landed on top of him, in a point-to-point at Charing in February.
At Kirkby’s funeral on March 5, Highland Hunter was led through the village of Ditcheat, where the 25-year-old worked for 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
Trainer Fergal O'Brien tweeted:"Not sure we’ll be tweeting again today after this. Absolutely devastated. Thanks for the messages we’re already receiving and those to come."
Highland Hunter suffered a heavy fall in the Ultima Handicap Chase, with ITV Racing presenter Ed Chamberlin saying: "I'm afraid it's the news we feared.
"The racecourse have been in touch to say this 'Highland Hunter was immediately attended to by expert veterinary professionals during the third race, the Ultima Handicap, but sadly sustained a fatal injury'. They say 'our heartfelt condolences are with connections' and we echo that."
A spokesperson for Cheltenham Racecourse said: "Highland Hunter was immediately attended by expert veterinary professionals in the concluding stages of our third race but sadly passed away. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections."
Kim Bailey’s Chianti Classico won the Ultima Handicap Chase David Bass and Kim Bailey.
Bass said: “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.”
