The death of promising young chaser Wide Receiver was a sad postscript to a high-quality jumps meeting at Navan on Sunday.
Wide Receiver was disputing the lead when falling at the second last fence in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
Unfortunately the six-year-old suffered a fatal injury, while his luckless jockey Jack Kennedy was sent to hospital with a suspected broken arm.
Wide Receiver was trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud.
A £410,000 purchase at the 2019 Tattersalls Cheltenham sale, big things were hoped for the son of Sholokhov over fences after a promising novice hurdle campaign.
The race was won by Wide Receiver's stablemate Buddy Rich in the hands of Davy Russell, with Gringo D'aubrelle's victory in the last completing a treble on the card for local trainer Elliott.
"He's been a great horse, he runs well everyday, and it's great for John (Keegan) as it's the first horse he's had with us. He's local and he's a good fella,” Elliott said of the winner.
“He doesn't want real soft ground so as soon as the ground goes we'll leave him off.
“It's obviously bitter sweet with the other horse (Wide Receiver), who was running a good race too.”
Elliott also gave an update on his stable jockey Kennedy, who has endured a series of injuries in recent seasons.
He said: “Unfortunately it looks like Jack has broken his arm again.
“He’s on his way to Blanchardstown (Connolly Hospital) with a suspected broken arm. He’s very sore and upset, so my heart goes out to him.
“Jack is an incredible talent, and we’re behind him 100 per cent. All these good horses will be here for him when he comes back. Whenever Jack makes it back, we’ll be here for him – and so will all the horses.
“Jack is a brilliant lad, such a hard worker and a great rider, and I’ll be telling him that all these nice horses will be here for him when he gets back.”
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