The death of two-time Champion Chase winner Moscow Flyer has been announced.
The 22-year-old gelding passed away at the National Stud in Kildare, where he has resided since 2012.
It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of the legendary #MoscowFlyer at the great age of 22 https://t.co/uccQwPgBYw pic.twitter.com/YoH25YMuFn
— Irish National Stud (@IrishNatStud) October 21, 2016
One of the most popular Irish horses of the last decade, Moscow Flyer won the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 2003 and 2005, as well as back-to-back Tingle Creek Chases in 2003-04.
It was the 2004 win in Sandown that stood out for his former trainer Jessica Harrington, who posted a video of the race to Twitter after news of his death broke.
My favourite race of Moscow Flyer Tingle Creek 2004 https://t.co/zFrgpM5zhD
— Jessica Harrington (@Jessica_Racing) October 21, 2016
It is a rare horse that provokes such an outpouring of affection at the news of its death, but Moscow Flyer was an icon of the noughties, a decade when Irish winners at Cheltenham were not as common as they are today.
Thirteen Grade 1 victories (won mainly with Barry Geraghty up) puts Moscow Flyer among the greats of National Hunt racing.
https://twitter.com/abbeighx/status/789446116370767872
Jessica Harrington has confirmed the passing of the legendary Moscow Flyer. Incredibly sad news. All those big days. #RIPMoscowFlyer pic.twitter.com/p0WtYv5ofS
— Stuart 'Jimbo' Williams (@Jimbo_JumpsMan) October 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/dopedhorse/status/789442778157682689
RIP Moscow Flyer
who has died aged 22 pic.twitter.com/IyCwW5XdRb— Anaglogs Daughter (@AnaglogsDaughtr) October 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/josephfansite23/status/789441799274332160
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