Many Clouds collapses and dies after beating Thistlecrack at Cheltenham

Trainer Oliver Sherwood paid tribute to the "horse of a lifetime" after Many Clouds tragically collapsed and died following his shock defeat of Thistlecrack in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.

Owned by Trevor Hemmings, the former Grand National hero was winning the race for a second time, having also claimed the recognised Gold Cup trial before his Aintree heroics in 2015.

Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack made several jumping errors on his way round, but came back on the bridle for Tom Scudamore jumping the last.

The Colin Tizzard-trained King George winner went clear on the run-in, but the gallant Many Clouds - who also landed the Hennessy Gold Cup in 2014 - would not go away.

But having answered every call for jockey Leighton Aspell, the 8/1 winner, who got home by a head, collapsed after the winning post, being treated immediately by veterinary staff before his death was confirmed.

Sherwood said: "We've got to look forward and not look back. He's been the horse of a lifetime and I always said he would die for you and he's died for me and the team today doing what he does best.

"He wanted to win that race, he was beaten and then fought back in the last 50 yards to win. He has gone out on a high.

"It's sad for Trevor and my team at Rhonehurst, I've been in the game 32 years and horses like that don't come along very often.

"You've got to enjoy it and it happens to us all, we all go one day. We've got to be philosophical and celebrate the Hennessy and National wins and that was almost a career-best performance.

"One thing I want now is for Thistlecrack to win the Gold Cup."

He added: "I have been in the training game for 34 years and today was both the best and worst scenario.

"It's a tough game and a great leveller - I feel sorry for Leighton Aspell and everyone involved with the horse. Leighton was the only one who'd schooled and ridden him in a race, but life goes on.

"The public get to know the horses, especially horses that try for you, they appreciated what he had done and he captured your imagination, really.

"It was quite spine-chilling when it was announced, there was a huge clap and that nearly finished me off. The only thing you can say is that Many Clouds has died doing what he loved - he loved jumping and he loved racing.

"I had two large vodka and tonics to relax me and I've not had a drink for two months.

"When Lisa (Kozak, travelling head girl) rang me to say he'd gone down, I was worried. Time will tell if it was a heart attack.

"He had wobbled after races before and people queried why he raced on, but what do you do with a horse like that? I thought, hand on heart, having had a wind op that he might have been struggling for oxygen and hence the reason we did it. He was better on his first run back at Aintree this season (when successful).

"It was a war of attrition today against what Colin and Joe (Tizzard) and most of the public thought was an unbeatable horse. Clouds wanted it probably a bit more than Thistlecrack did, but has paid for it with his life.

"It is very sad for everyone - CJ (Chris Jerdin) who looks after him at home, Lisa my travelling head girl, Stefan, my head man and all the team at Rhonehurst. It is going to very tough having an empty box there tomorrow and on Monday.

"It was spine-chilling walking back down when it was announced and the whole crowd clapped. That finished me completely and I did lose it a bit then. Leighton Aspell is in bits and has gone home.

"Let's enjoy the life of Many Clouds - he was a real wonder horse. He had guts and jumping ability - with that you will always win races."

A sombre Tizzard said: "We were just beaten by the better horse on the day, two fantastic horses ran right to the line.

"Poor old Many Clouds. My initial thought when we got beat was that I was disappointed but it's as sad as can be, he was a lovely horse and he beat us on the day.

"We ran our race, we're not making any excuses - today, on winter ground, we were beaten by a better horse, no question.

"They had a battle and it's just a tragic end to the race. This is what happens in our sport occasionally and you've got to face up to it."

Nathan Horrocks, who rode Many Clouds in his work at home, commented: "It's a shock. You go from shouting him home to win the race and 10 minutes later he is not with us anymore.

"It's a massive loss to everybody because he wasn't just of huge importance to the yard, he was of huge importance to Lambourn and the sport.

"Honestly, you can't believe the amount of people that come up to us and say 'I hope the horse is well and we are looking forward to him running'. He has really captured the nation.

"That is our sport unfortunately and it makes you love it and hate it at the same time. I saw Tom (Scudamore) coming back down the walkway and I said: 'Hard luck, mate, Clouds has given you a race there' and he was saying: 'I couldn't get past him, he is such a hard, hard horse'.

"That was what great about Many Clouds and that was his downfall as well because he just didn't know when to quit."

British Horseracing Authority media manager Robin Mounsey said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with all connections of Many Clouds following this very sad news and in particular for those who loved and cared for him throughout his great career.

"The care available for racehorses throughout their lives, and in particular on the racecourse, is first class. All horses are observed by a vet before taking part in a race. After the race, Many Clouds was immediately tended to by Cheltenham's team of expert racecourse vets within seconds of the first sign that he was in any difficulty.

"Despite this treatment, sadly, the horse could not be saved.

"We cannot yet be certain of the cause of the incident, but steps will be taken to understand exactly what has happened. Incidents such as this are exceptionally rare."