Not that every horse Isn't special and sad for every horse that isn't put down/ passes away doing what they love doing! But thought he should have his own thread seeing how good he could have been plus was in the top 2 of my fav horses in training along with Faugheen. A truly special horse taken away from us too soon!
Vautour has died in freak accident at Mullins yard BY TONY O'HEHIR 4:52PM 6 NOV 2016 THREE-TIME Cheltenham Festival winner Vautour has died after a freak accident at Willie Mullins' yard. "He broke a foreleg and has had to be put down," his trainer told the Racing Post on Sunday evening. "It's very tough to take," added Mullins. "He goes out there every day and it's a freak accident." Vautour was grazing in the paddock with Shaneshill when the injury occured. The seven-year-old was the 8-1 second favourite to add the 2017 Timico Gold Cup to his Supreme (2014), JLT (2015) and Ryanair (2016) festival successes. The five-time Grade 1 winner was victorious on ten of his 16 career starts and only finished out of the first two once, when falling at Aintree in the Grade 1 JLT Melling Chase. Terrible day for Mullins yard The news came on a terrible day for the Mullins yard as they also lost another star performer in Hennessy Gold Cup second favourite Avant Tout, who had to be put down after pulling up after jumping the first in the Grade 3 Brady's Family Ham Supporting Kildare GAA Poplar Square Chase. He jumped the first deliberately he was quickly pulled out of the race on the short run to the second fence, with jockey Paul Townend clearly not happy with his mount. Avant Tout suffered a deep laceration to his off-fore tendon and racecourse veterinary surgeon Tom Burns confirmed he had to be put down after arriving at the Anglesey Veterinary Clinic on the Curragh. More to follow . . .
Two of my favourite horses in NH training!! So sad! Am absolutely gutted, this year was his year for the Gold Cup! Will never forget his superme win at the festival!!
The loss of any racehorse is horrible, sad, maddening and heart-wrenchingly tragic. The death of Vautour, however, has a ring of Princess Diana about it. This beautiful and immensely talented animal had, for the past 3 seasons, blown the Cheltenham festival apart with 3 jaw-dropping, heart-pounding victories which made him not only a punters friend, but also one of the greatest horses to have graced the hallowed turf of Prestbury Park. I don't say that lightly, all too aware of the Golden Millers, Arkles, Desert Orchids, Dawn Runs, Istabraqs, Hurricane Flys and whoever else you care to add to the list. What Vautour did at Cheltenham in March, for 3 consecutive years, the manner of his victories, the sheer brilliance of his performances, will leave a lasting legacy in a sport that is littered with memories. A very, very special horse and my thoughts go out to Willie Mullins, Rich Ricci and all those at Closutton who have lost a truly remarkable horse. RIP Vautour
Just watched the replay of his Ryanair win. As they come off the final bend the commentator goes "An inch of rein is let out, Vautour grabs it with gay abandon and moves to the second last breezing along" Tears in my eyes, tears in my eyes.
Awful news and losing their big Hennessy hope Avant Tout on the same day too. Never seen a chaser jump round Prestbury Park better than Vautour could, his JLT romp he pinged round as if he was on springs, an unreal display. Tough gig at times
I actually think as a mark of respect we should stop talking about racing for at least a day. I'm thinking maybe 2 days. Thoughts? I know we did the same for our Conor I named my son Conor iirc
this is really sad. National Hunt racing is lacking in genuine superstars at the moment and Vautour could really have come to full prominence this season. RIP Vautour
