Corbett’s Cross has tragically died after falling during the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The Emmet Mullins-trained horse, winner in the 2024 National Hunt, suffered a fatal injury in his fall at the second-last fence during Friday’s showpiece race.
A statement issued by Cheltenham on Friday afternoon said:”In our fifth race of the day, Corbetts Cross was immediately attended to by our veterinary professionals, but sadly sustained a fatal injury. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”
It was a sad note for JP McManus and his team, who claimed victory in the Gold Cup as Inothewayurthinkin – not originally intended to take part in the race – emerged victorious and scuppered Galopin Des Champs’ hopes of a third successive triumph in the race.
Trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Mark Walsh, the seven-year-old was supplemented for the race at a cost of £25,000 and that decision paid off in style for owner JP McManus.
It looked as though the 8-13 favourite was about to become the first three-time winner since Best Mate, but Inothewayurthinkin (15-2) was cruising in behind and in the end he fairly sprinted home to win by six lengths.
Walsh said: “I’m dancing inside! It’s brilliant, I can’t believe it.
“They went a nice gallop, he jumped well on the whole but just missed the ditch down the back there. I was always on the outside, early on he missed a few fences and I just saw Paul (Townend on Galopin Des Champs) wasn’t happy, so I was happy to see that.
“Credit to this fella, he’s had to do some growing up the last year. He won here last year, but Gavin Cromwell is a genius. He’s a homebred as well, which makes it extra special.”
McManus added: “You have to enjoy these moments, they are so long in the making. We’ve had him since he was a foal, he was bred by Noreen (his wife). It’s a very exciting time and I will treasure it.
“I would like to see it again, I don’t think I took it all in, but it’s an exciting day.”
Galopin Des Champs’ jockey, Paul Townend, said of the beaten favourite: “He tried his heart out and he’s home in one piece. He’ll go again.
“He was just not happy, everything was a bit of an effort. He still gave it a crack and gave them something to shout about for a long way.
“A couple of jumps back up to the top of the hill, I was hoping rather than feeling confident that he was going to come alive for me there, to be honest. He’s run a blinder.”
On Corbett’s Cross’ death, Animal Aid said: “There are no words to express our disgust that yet another horse has been killed at the Cheltenham Festival.”
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