FAYONAGH, WHO WON the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last March, suffered a fatal injury on the gallops on Wednesday morning, it has been confirmed.
Speaking to The Racing Post, her trainer Gordon Elliot paid tribute to the six-year-old daughter of Kalanisi.
“Fayonagh was doing a warm-up canter on the Skryne gallops before she was due to work this morning,” he said. “Davy Russell was riding her and, unfortunately, she broke a hindleg.
“It’s a hard blow for everyone – her owner Mrs Gittins and all the staff in the yard. She was a very good mare and after winning on her hurdling debut at Fairyhouse early this month we were looking forward to a good campaign with her.”
In addition to winning four bumpers from five attempts, Fayonagh also prevailed in the Grade 1 Racing Post Champion Bumper at the Punchestown festival a month after her Cheltenham success.
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@Now or Never: Id say they are heartbroken at Cullentra house. What a mare she was. The way she finished at Cheltenham in the bumper was somthing special. Ive never seen a horse come up that hill as fast.
Always seems to happen the good ones..sad news she was a lovely mare