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It was a hard fought win. When the horses were coming back in the announcer said that Tiptoeaway wouldn’t be coming into the winners enclosure – the horse was alright but wouldn’t be coming in on vets advice. A couple of minutes later he collapsed in the parade ring. We didn’t see the actual collapse – we were already making our way in that direction to get a position to see the horses for the next race.
People (vets, connections?) ran past us and we could already see a screen going up. There were a lot of people around him and people watching from around the perimeter. His leg moved once before the screens went around completely. The staff were clearly trying to keep him completely hidden from view (rightly so) but I don’t think anyone was there to ‘gawp’ – if he could have been collectively ‘willed’ to his feet he would have been.
The tractor came in after a few minutes and a member of staff asked the spectators to move away as they were now dealing with ‘a fatality’. I think everyone was so hoping that, if they stayed long enough, he would have got to his feet and it would have been a happy ending.
The racecourse I think did everything they could and handled it as well as it was possible to do so.
I don’t think the horse will have known a lot about it.
We left there and then because we were quite upset and there was more than one person in tears.
It was pretty much a year since Captain Brown fell at the last here and there was spontaneous applause when he got up this time last year after being down for a long time. There’s some irony that he won on the card today as did poor Tiptoeaway. Captain Brown had the luck with him today but Tiptoeaway didn’t.That’s heartbreaking. I always felt he was one of the ‘unlucky’ horses.
Is there any more information? What was wrong with him?
That’s so sad to hear – owned by Brindisi Breeze’s owner. Lucinda Russell has already put a small tribute to the horse on her website.
Two deaths at Kelso yesterday.
I still had hope while it wasn’t confirmed. Absolutely heartbreaking. Some horses are just special, above the crowd and Cavalryman was one of them. A dark day.
Thanks for that – depressing though it is. I don’t know what happened to his foot but it must have been pulled with some force. Poor horse.
Shortened dictionary meaning of the word argue:
give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one’s view.
make a case for, give reasons for, defend, explain, vindicate, justify;
in a heated or angry way.
I loved Burton Port – tiny, game, one of my many favourites. But some of the comments surrounding his death and the causes have been over emotional, over the top.
The death of two other horses have been posted in the last few days – the death of one absolutely directly caused by incorrect human actions. Not a comment posted about it.
My point I suppose being that Burton Port is being lost in all of this.
Maybe I don’t explain myself very well.
Shortened dictionary meaning of the word argue:
give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one’s view.
make a case for, give reasons for, defend, explain, vindicate, justify;
in a heated or angry way.
I loved Burton Port – tiny, game, one of my many favourites. But some of the comments surrounding his death and the causes have been over emotional, over the top.
The death of two other horses have been posted in the last few days – the death of one absolutely directly caused by incorrect human actions. Not a comment posted about it.
My point I suppose being that Burton Port is being lost in all of this.
Maybe I don’t explain myself very well.
I could be wrong but I don’t think horses who die on a racecourse are allowed to enter the human food chain. Horse flesh used for human consumption has to go through the slaughter system because of DEFRA rules on medication etc.
I repeat though – can we not just stop arguing and pay tribute to beautiful little Burton Port? Please?
Well said Gingertipster.
I’m gutted about Burton Port, didn’t see the incident and really don’t want to. I didn’t even know he was running. Tellingly, it wasn’t a massive surprise to see his name.
However, I think this really should be tributes to him and not arguments so the horse gets lost in it.
Hopefully everyone does contribute to ex racehorse charities, remembering too that there a lot of smaller, less well known ones that really appreciate any help at all.Absolutely devastated to see his name here. I feared the worst when he stopped so quickly. I’ve followed him from day one – as I do all of the horses from his family – and it’s terribly sad that this has happened.
Sadly Moehat, some trainers care about their horses and some care about money. I always have fears for horses placed with certain trainers. And you just have to hear some owners and trainers talking at racecourses to know that the welfare of their horse isn’t even on their radar – it’s there to make money and if it doesn’t, or once it’s injured, too old, I don’t know what’ll happen to it but it’s not likely to be good. You get paid for sending a horse to slaughter, nothing for giving it away to a potentially good home. It breaks my heart. So much for ‘treated like royalty’.
Try emailing trainers for info regarding their horses and you’ll soon get a picture of who cares and who doesn’t. I’ve had very personal answers from trainers (who are very busy but still take the time to respond), including major league trainers, who clearly really care.
And some trainers clearly do care for their horses, ie Philip Kirby, Lucinda Russell, Ruth Carr, Micky Hammond and others all have information on their websites keeping everyone up to date with where their retired horses are and what they’re doing. Others do too – big trainers like David Pipe and Alan King I can’t list them all – there’s a lot. But some don’t.
Chris Gordon’s tribute to king Edmund:
We were all devastated by the loss of King Edmund in a fall at Ascot on Saturday.
He was one of only five horses in the yard when we started training in 2007 and swiftly became our flagship after winning on his debut for us in a bumper at Ludlow at 80-1.
He was a lovely horse to have around the place, a tremendous character, and was here so long, he became part of the family.
King Edmund would not have won any prizes for conformation. I’ve seen better front legs on antique chairs at my local saleroom. He was also very back at the knee, and had a club foot but handsome is as handsome does and he gave his owner Anthony Ward-Thomas, my wife Jenny and I so many great days.
Jenny had ridden his dam in point-to-points and in the past I won a couple of point-to-points on his uncle.
King Edmund showed the right attitude when I broke him in and developed in time into a game, genuine, and extremely consistent jumper with more than a touch of class.
He won nine races for us, was placed numerous times and we will never forget his part in helping to deliver our first treble at Lingfield earlier this season.
There is no doubt that King Edmund played a big role in putting us on the map.
Losing him so abruptly on Saturday was a dreadful shock because to us he was irreplaceable.There will never be another horse like him.
Yesterday was one of those times you don’t want to write about, the horsebox came home without Danehill Flyer, he very sadly lost his life falling at the first flight in the novice hurdle at Doncaster, our only runner of the day. Poor Danny had been with us since a 2 year old and was just learning his job over hurdles, he had been keen and quick on his first two starts, but this time he just stepped at the first, and he paid the ultimate price, although thankfully did not suffer. Commiserations to his owners, Keith and Jayne Sivills – and Sarah Olley has looked after him since he arrived, she had been very attached to this real character as well.
Sorry I’m technically inept so the above is the best I can do – a quote from Philip Kirbys website. For anyone who’s interested he’s put some lovely photos on of Danny. It might be better for everyone’s mental health to have a look rather than arguing, being bitter, emotional etc etc.
I’m gutted about Danehill Flyer – I am about every racehorse who dies racing – I dwell on it, agonise about it.
However, I refer you to one of my earlier postings regarding a well known racehorse who won a lot of money for his owner who then dumped him and left him to starve to death. Thankfully he was saved, but is still a worry as he has lost the will to live. Now that’s cruelty. I appreciate that Danehill Flyer wasn’t that good, but he wasn’t cruelly treated and no-one intended or wanted his death.
Absolutely heartbroken to see this reported. I wasn’t impressed anyway to see Stagecoach Pearl running again so soon after such a hard race last time. It didn’t surprise me though. I was very worried to see him fall – he’s only fallen once before (and one unseat and was brought down once). Too sad for words. I think I’ve backed him every time he’s run – I just liked him. A bonny, brave horse. I’m finding it hard to cope with this one – deserved a bit of a rest.
And Embsay Crag – game as a lion. Too, too sad. Philip Kirby has reported this on his website although he doesn’t even train him anymore. I don’t think I’ll even be able to watch racing for a while.
UPDATE – Micky Hammond – already – has posted a lovely tribute to little Embsay Crag. This is the sort of thing that influences your decision when it comes to which trainer you place your horses with. If you can ever bear the pain of having a racehorse.
