24 April 2023 , 14:38
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Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell has been left “devastated” by the death of one of her horses following Saturday’s Scottish Grand National.
Mighty Thunder, the winner of the Scottish Grand National in 2021, unseated his rider Patrick Wadge during Saturday’s race and later suffered an aneurysm and died back at the racecourse stables.
She confirmed the tragic news which occurred just a week after the stable had landed its second Grand National victory with Corach Rambler.
In a Facebook post, Russell said: “We were all devastated to lose Mighty Thunder yesterday.
“Having unseated Patrick in the Scottish National, Mighty was caught and returned to the stables looking fine. Unfortunately, he then suffered from an aneurysm, a hole in an artery, and died in the stable area.
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“Both Hannah, his devoted groom, and Nicola and Colin, his owners, were with him and the whole event was handled with care and compassion by the vets."
She continued: “I have been dreading to write this; the yard and those close to him were in shock yesterday and I do not know who posted the news on social media.
“Losing any horse is hard but it is excruciatingly painful to lose one who was loved from the minute that he walked into the yard seven years ago and who took us all on such a journey including the Scottish Grand National and Edinburgh National in 2021.
“I guess that the current mood of social media makes us uncomfortable to share news of our loss but that is trivial compared to the feeling of emptiness and sorrow that Hannah, Colin and Nicola had as they woke this morning.
Mighty Thunder, ridden by Tom Scudamore (second right), winning the 2021 Coral Scottish Grand National (Getty)“Mighty lived the life of an athlete; he was fed well, exercised carefully and allowed to be a horse in the field and in the stable. He knew he was adored and goes down in history with his brave wins.
“His death was due to a weak blood vessel wall; common in pleasure horses, racehorses, humans and other mammals. If he had not run yesterday it would have been an issue when he next galloped, in the field or at home. It is tragic to lose him.
“I know that many of you will want to comment on this post, but please rather than that spend a few moments thanking the horses that you know and Mighty for his bravery and kindness.
“He filled our world with love and we will never forget him. A heart will tell us that you care and understand as we are all overwhelmed at the moment.”