Racing: Barry Geraghty paid heartfelt tribute to Oscar Whisky following the death of the popular chaser at Sandown
Saturday 6 December 2014 21:36, UK
Barry Geraghty has paid heartfelt tribute to Oscar Whisky, following the death of the popular chaser at Sandown.
The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old suffered a fatal injury when falling at the fifth fence in the 888Sport Tingle Creek Chase.
Dual winner of the Aintree Hurdle, the nine-year-old was successful in 16 of his 28 career starts, earning over £500,000 in win and place prize-money.
Geraghty rode the Dai Walters-owned Oscar Whisky in all but one of his runs, and he tweeted: "Very saddened to have lost a real warrior in Oscar Whisky, there are very few horses I rode more winners on. He was so genuine and tough. RIP."
Henderson's daughter Camilla added: "Sadly sadly Oscar did not make it. Everybody devastated. He really was part of the family. Thoughts with all the Walters family right now."
Oscar Whisky's last win came at Sandown in February, when he claimed the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices' Chase in the hands of Geraghty.
Among his other fine efforts over hurdles was his third to Hurricane Fly in the 2011 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
