A number of Grade One winner Thyme Hill has died after struggling a deadly harm on the gallops.
The nine-year-old gained thrice on the highest stage for Philip Hobbs – touchdown the 2019 Challow Hurdle, the 2021 Aintree Hurdle and the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton final Christmas.
Having completed fourth on his seasonal reappearance at Wetherby earlier this month, Thyme Hill was being readied for the Lengthy Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Friday week – a race by which he beat Paisley Park three years in the past – however his connections at the moment are mourning the lack of a steady stalwart.
Johnson White, who joined Hobbs on the coaching licence earlier this 12 months, stated on Tuesday morning: “It’s very sad for the whole yard. He’s been phenomenal for some lovely owners and has taken them on a fantastic journey. We’ve been very lucky to have him.
“His run at Wetherby was OK the other day and he would have gone to Newbury on December 1. He was just doing a routine piece of work this morning and what happened happened, sadly.
“I really feel very sorry for the entire yard as he is been our flagbearer for numerous years now. Hopefully we have now some good younger horses to succeed in his heights, however they take some changing.”