Some shockingly sad news emerging from Cheltenham this afternoon: the horse Many Clouds has collapsed and died after shocking Thistlecrack at the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.
Aged 10, Many Clouds ran an extraordinary race under Leighton Aspell, pipping the 4/9 favourite Thistlecrack at the line, before collapsing after the finishing line. The Racing Post confirmed that the horse was unable to return to the Winners' Enclosure after the race having been attended to by vets after the race, before the tragic news was confirmed.
Here is his final, heroic run:
The late great #manyclouds defeats #Thistlecrack @CheltenhamRaces on one of the most emotional days of racing I can ever remember 😢 pic.twitter.com/iYLwxell8O
— Dessie McKenzie (@dessie_mckenzie) January 28, 2017
Many Clouds will not be returning to the winner's enclosure and is being attended to by vets on the course
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) January 28, 2017
Many Clouds has died after collapsing following his win in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) January 28, 2017
Cheltenham fell silent after the announcement, as the heavens opened. Tributes to a great horse have flown freely.
One minute you're celebrating backing the bravest of winners, the next learning his gallantry cost him his life. Tragic loss. #ManyClouds
— Paul Gargan (@PaulGarganRacin) January 28, 2017
Many Clouds collapses and dies after beating Thistlecrack at Cheltenham. So game. Too game, in the end. Hard one to take.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) January 28, 2017
It has just started raining at Cheltenham. The skies weep for a legend. #ManyClouds
— Geoffrey Riddle (@Louchepunter) January 28, 2017
Many Clouds has gone. He goes a hero. So talented. So brave. An @AintreeRaces National treasure. In our world of racing - never forgotten. 💐
— Matt Chapman (@MCYeeehaaa) January 28, 2017
Many Clouds will be best remembered as the 2015 Grand National winner.
