Tragedy as potential chasing star I Like To Move It suffers fatal injury

08 October 2023 , 15:36

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I Like To Move It winning at Cheltenham in October 2021 (Image: PA)

Tributes have poured in after high-class National Hunt horse I Like To Move it had to be put down after suffering a fatal injury at Uttoxeter.

The horse, who was sixth in this year's Champion Hurdle, was making his chasing debut at Uttoxeter when he hurt himself at the final fence when still in contention.

He was quickly pulled up by jockey Sam Twiston-Davies and, sadly, he could not be saved after suffering an injury.

Sam later tweeted: "Incredibly sad to lose I Like To Move It today, what he meant to all of us at Grange Hill farm is near impossible to put into words. A horse with the kindest heart, always gave everything. So many great memories with him, you’ll be deeply missed. Thank you for everything."

I Like To Move It won seven of his 16 races including last season's Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham where he carried top weight to victory.

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The horse had been tipped to take top rank among this season's novice chasers and was seen as a strong contender for next year's Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Last season after winning the prestigious Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said he was "right up at the top" of the best hurdlers he has trained with Khyber Kim and The New One.

On Friday Twiston-Davies said in his William Hill blog that one of the reasons for the switch to fences was that superstar hurdler Constitution Hil was staying over hurdles.

The trainer added: "We’ll struggle to win a Champion Hurdle with him in the mix, but we might win an Arkle."

Jason Heavey