‘A legend in his own right’ – trainer Sue Smith pays tribute to Midnight Shadow | Horse racing news
John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)
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Sue Smith has paid tribute to the “wonderful” Midnight Shadow, who lost his life in the Sky Bet Chase on Saturday.
The seven-time winner of Cyril and Aafke Clarke suffered a life-threatening injury after making a mistake on the seventh fence at Doncaster.
The trainer said on Sunday: “He was a wonderful horse and it’s a great loss, for Mr and Mrs Clarke and everyone involved – especially when you get a beautiful horse like that; it’s tragic .”
We had two winners today. But they won’t be cheering on the court tonight. What a brilliant and talented horse was Midnight Shadow. A legend in his own right and a stable superstar. Give your horses an extra hug tonight because you never know. Rest easy Midnight. pic.twitter.com/pz7tyPmoHl
—Sue Smith Racing (@suesmithracing) January 29, 2022
Smith, who won the bumper at Doncaster and also had a winner at Uttoxeter on Saturday, added: “We had a good day in some respects but it wasn’t very good at the yard last night and those things take some time to overcome.
“The owners took him on the chin but they’re upset about it, and Reece Jarosiewicz, who looked after him the whole time, obviously is too.”
Midnight Shadow, who was bought for £28,000 as an unreleased three-year-old, earned more than £309,000 during a career that began with a ten-length bumper-to-bumper win at Newcastle in 2016.
He won the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr in 2018 and had notable success at Cheltenham in the Relkeel Hurdle, Dipper Novices’ Chase and Paddy Power Gold Cup last November.
John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)
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“He was a good horse from day one,” Smith said. “He won his bumper, won over the hurdles and went to do some good stuff on the fences. We were looking forward to seeing if he made it to the three mile yesterday but obviously he didn’t.
“He was an excellent model horse with a great temperament and easy to train. He was brilliant at home and a credit to all who took an interest in him.”
Henry Daly also paid tribute to Whatmore, who suffered a fatal injury in a fall during the 2m4f chase at Cheltenham.
John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)
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