28 January 2017

Many Clouds, winner of 2015 Grand National, dies after race

Many Clouds ridden by Leighton Aspell, right, jump an early fence in company with Thistlecrack ridden by Tom Scudamore before going on to win The Cotswold Chase Race run during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse, in Cheltenham, England, Saturday Jan. 28, 2017. Many Clouds, the winner of Britain’s 2015 Grand National, has collapsed and died after winning a race at Cheltenham on Saturday. Having won the Cotswold Chase by a head, Many Clouds fell after the winning post and was treated by veterinary staff before his death was confirmed.
Many Clouds, the winner of Britain's 2015 Grand National, collapsed and died after producing one final stunning victory on Saturday.
At Cheltenham, Many Clouds shocked Thistlecrack to win the Cotswold Chase by a head before falling after the winning post. He was treated by veterinary staff before his death was confirmed.

"We've got to look forward and not look back," trainer Oliver Sherwood said. "He's been the horse of a lifetime and I always said he would die for you and he's died for me and the team today doing what he does best.
"He wanted to win that race. He was beaten and then fought back in the last 50 yards to win."
Many Clouds was owned by Trevor Hemmings and ridden by Leighton Aspell, who was also on board for the 2015 victory in the Grand National — the world's most grueling horse race.
"The public get to know the horses, especially horses that try for you," Sherwood said. "They appreciated what he had done and he captured your imagination."
The British Horseracing Authority said it could not be certain of the cause of the incident.
"Steps will be taken to understand exactly what has happened," BHA spokesman Robin Mounsey said. "Incidents such as this are exceptionally rare." 
(AP)