Trainer Willie Mullins has confirmed three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Vautour has been put down after breaking his leg in a freak accident on Sunday.
The seven-year-old had enjoyed a stunning career so far, in particular at Cheltenham after three solid performances at Prestbury Park.
After winning at Navan, Punchestown and Leopardstown, Mullins tried his luck in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2014 and he stormed to victory.
Further wins at Punchestown, Navan and Leopardstown followed and he then returned to Cheltenham to win the JLT Novices’ Chase in 2015.
A win at Ascot was then followed by a win in the Ryanair Chase this year at the Festival and he was expected to bounce back at the famous racecourse once again in 2017.
Confirming the news, Mullins told reporters on Sunday: “It’s been a lovely, dry day here and Vautour was out in the paddock with his usual companion Shaneshill.
“One of the girls went out to feed him. There didn’t appear to be anything untoward as Shaneshill was grazing away, but Vautour was found to have broken his foreleg.
“He goes out there every day and it’s just a freak accident. It’s tough to take.”
In his three year career, Vautour won 10 from his 14 runs, including five Grade 1 races.
He was last seen finishing second in the Champion Chase at Punchestown back in April and many expected him to challenge for the Gold Cup in the future.
This year’s favourite for the race is Thistlecrack who can be backed at 5.00 after winning on his reappearance at Chepstow last month.
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