Top trainer Dan Skelton has described the loss of one of his up-and-coming jumpers at the Scottish Grand National meeting. Valgrand had announced himself as a rising talent when he won a Grade 2 novices’ hurdle at Cheltenham in October by 17 lengths, completing a hat-trick of wins.
He was a leading contender for the County Hurdle at the where he finished 15th and then lined up in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr on Saturday. The six-year-old only got as far as the second flight where he took a heavy fall and was fatally injured.
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The race preceded the Scottish Grand National in which the 2024 race winner died of a heart attack and The Kniphand was fatally injured after falling at the second last fence.
Valgrand, who was owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, had won three of his eight starts over obstacles.
Skelton, speaking to Racing TV, said: “It’s the most empty feeling in the when it happens. We’ve been round horses all our lives and we know that can happen to them. It can happen to them in the field, it can happen anywhere.
“But the thing is it never gets any easier, in fact it gets harder. As the trainer you are the conduit to the owners and the vets and everything else and you find yourself in this really unusual position.
“It’s not an awkward position at all because everyone is very understanding but you are trying to convey this sense of loss but words are never ever enough. It’s just the most hollow, horrible feeling.
“You don’t get a manual when you become a trainer or as a horse person saying this is how you deal with this, which I think is why as an industry we are so good at rallying round each other when that does ultimately happen.”
He added: “He got immediate veterinary attention. He had irreparable damage in some bones in his neck. Never at any point was he in discomfort because the vets were with him straight away but he was at a point where unfortunately he couldn’t be saved.
“It’s the one thing that every single person would love to be without. It’s a reality. We face up to it, we deal with it and the day that becomes normal is the day we all give up.”
