Cheltenham Festival Winner Sire Du Berlais Fatally Injured

The horse was withdrawn during the Punchestown's Stayers Hurdle

Gordon Elliott expressed his profound sorrow over the loss of Sire Du Berlais, the three-time Cheltenham Festival champion, who died tragically.

The 12-year-old horse was withdrawn during the Punchestown's Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle, a race previously won by Elliott's horse, Teahupoo.

Despite immediate veterinary attention, Sire Du Berlais, ridden by Mark Walsh and owned by JP McManus, succumbed to a fatal injury.

"Absolutely heartbroken," Elliott remarked after achieving a treble on the day.

"He's been the horse of a lifetime for us at Cullentra, and everyone is just devastated—the girls and the lads in Ireland. He was incredible, and we are all deeply affected. All thoughts go to JP, Noreen, and their entire family. It tarnishes the entire week, to be honest, (I'm) heartbroken. He was just the horse of a lifetime; his achievements were truly remarkable. He always gave his all, a truly great horse."

Over his career under rules, Sire Du Berlais raced 34 times, securing seven victories and accumulating nearly £750,000 in prize money. His most notable win came in March 2023 at the Cheltenham Festival, where he narrowly defeated Dashel Drasher and Teahupoo, delivering a stunning 33-1 upset in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.

He was fifth in this year's event behind his stablemate but had previously won the Pertemps Final in 2019 and 2020.

A stalwart at the Cheltenham Festival, Sire Du Berlais hadn't missed an appearance since joining Elliott’s stable seven years earlier. Representing JP McManus in the iconic green and gold, he also triumphed twice in the prestigious Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree.