03 February 2024 , 15:44
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Racing fans have paid tribute to star of the sport Hermes Allen after his tragic fall at Sandown.
The 8-13 favourite was in pursuit of eventual winner Nickle Back when he came down in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase. Sadly the Grade One Challow Hurdle hero, ridden by Harry Cobden, could not be saved by vets on-course in Esher, near London.
Part-owner Sir Alex Ferguson had been watching the race from the track with his friend Ged Mason, who had a share in the seven-year-old.
ITV Racing said on X, formerly Twitter: "Hermes Allen has sadly passed away following a fatal injury in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Our thoughts are with connections at this difficult time."
Dozens of people passed on their condolences to 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls' team, who gained a bittersweet win in the following ITV race with Afadil at Musselburgh.
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Racing TV presenter Jess Stafford wrote: "Another desperately sad day with the loss of such a high profile horse in Hermes Allen. Thoughts with all of his connections @PFNicholls. Its been tough taking this season on such big race days."
Accompanied by a broken heart emoji, another social media user posted: "Gutted for Hermes Allen."
And a third said: "My deepest sympathy to everyone who was involved with Hermes Allen who will be sadly missed he was a great horse RIP."
In eight starts, Hermes Allen earned £130,000 in prize money and was sent off favourite for the 2023 Cheltenham Festival's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. A £350,000 purchase, he emerged as a future star when winning its Grade Two trial at Prestbury Park.
After racing on Saturday, Cobden tweeted: "Gutted is an understatement. This boy gave me some wonderful memories and was a true superstar in the world of racing. My thoughts are with the owners, connections and everyone at Ditcheat. RIP Hermes Allen."
The incident overshadowed a first success at the highest level for Sarah Humphrey, who has just a handful of horses and rider James Best.
"I was gobsmacked I was on him for his first chasing start at Warwick and for everyone to put their faith in me with this wonderful horse means so much," Best said.