This is the heartbreaking part of horseracing.
After severing a tendon in the 2.10 RSA Chase on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival, beloved seven-year-old No More Heroes was put down at equine hospital.
No More Heroes was one of the top favourites for the race and looked to be finishing strongly before slowing under Bryan Cooper at the last fence.
It emerged after the race that the dual Grade 1-winner had to be euthanised late on Wednesday night.
A statement from owners Gigginstown House Stud read: “Unfortunately the injury to No More Heroes, having struck into himself and damaged a tendon yesterday, proved to be too significant to save him.
“Having consulted with the vets at the equine hospital, and after extensive care and assessment, it was considered that it would be in the horse’s best interest that he be humanely put down, and this was carried out late last night.”
And the racing community was left heartbroken by the news of the fourth fatality of the festival.
Gutted to hear about No More Heroes. Terrible news.
— Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates_) March 17, 2016
Sad news about No More Heroes. RIP.
— Tim Mizen (@tmizen_) March 17, 2016
R.I.P no more heroes as it had to be put down after yesterdays fall. this is the bad side to horse racing.@myracingtips
— Sean (@corkcityboisean) March 17, 2016
Sad news about the horse No more heroes. 4th fatality at Cheltenham this week the sad part of horse racing
— Jamie Morgan (@JamieMorgan1989) March 17, 2016
As one superstar of days gone by bounced back to life yesterday, a star of the future lost his. RIP #NoMoreHeroes pic.twitter.com/PM2dxqdp2E
— Jurassic Clarke (@ChopzClarke) March 17, 2016
Gutted to hear about No More Heroes! RIP gallop through them clouds… 😭😳
— Gleneagles 🦅 (@Glen_Colt) March 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/GarlicGobbler/status/710411320273850368
https://twitter.com/robertkylemann/status/710404857950240768
The No More Heroes news has left me gutted. Real soft spot for that horse
— Regi (@Red_Regi) March 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/LRaven21/status/710424689626234880
