15 September 2023 , 14:54
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Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell has paid tribute to popular long distance chaser The Big Dog who has died aged 10.
When Russell triumphed at Aintree in April this year with Corach Rambler, the Peter Fahey-trained The Big Dog finished fifth. It was the best of a series of big efforts during a brilliant campaign last season by the star of the Fahey stable.
The Big Dog posted wins in the Munster National and Troytown Handicap Chase, finished third in the Welsh National and fell when leading with two to jump in the Irish Gold Cup won by Gallopin Des Champs.
At Aintree he went to the second last holding second place and crossed the line under nine lengths behind Corach Rambler and a neck behind the fourth former National winner Noble Yeats.
He had a record of five wins from 21 starts under rules and earned total prize-money of more than £230,000. But Fahey revealed that The Big Dog had died of colic, dealing a huge blow to owners, brothers Damien and Colin Kelly, and his Co Kildare stable.
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He posted on X, “A heartbreaking day for our family and the Kelly’s and Roefieldstables We lost a horse that meant so much to all involved with him. “The Big Dog was a treasure with a heart of a lion , and will be sadly missed by us all. We are so thankful for all the great days he gave us.”
The trainer’s wife Ber posted: “A heartbreaking loss for everyone involved, he really was the horse of a lifetime who gave our family some of our most memorable days racing.
“As for the Kelly family….if Carlsberg did owners. Always the best company even on the bad days, just devastated for their loss.”
Among the many fans who shared condolence was Russell who said: “We saw and loved The Big Dog in his first point to point. Such a perfect stayer. He had a great career with you. Thinking of you all at home who loved him.”