‘An utterly miserable day’: Kempton Park meeting marred by death of three horses

The Lanzarote Hurdle card at Kempton Park was marred by the deaths of three horses, including the Grade One-winning Kalif Du Berlais, whose loss Paul Nicholls described as “a big kick in the teeth” and a “sad day”.

Kalif Du Berlais – whose ownership group includes Sir Alex Ferguson – dethroned Harry Cobden in the four-way Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase and ended up lame, with the broken shoulder he suffered proving untreatable and he was euthanized by the veterinary team on Saturday.

Nicholls said: “It’s a sad day when you lose horses like that, it’s hard for the whole team. It’s a big kick in the teeth for everyone, the owners, the poor girl who looks after him – you hate to see that happen. He just showed his class today, he jumped and traveled well and unfortunately now he will never be able to show the potential we thought he had.”

“I can say all I want, but it’s just a shame for the whole team. Harry was extremely upset and misses his ride in the final because he doesn’t feel good about it. He’s a big, brutal horse who attacks his fences and those horses, if they do that, can have a bad fall.”

“He was enthusiastic today and traveled beautifully and we will never know where we would have ended up. We have always had a lot of confidence in him. Unfortunately these things happen and we have to try to pick ourselves up and move forward. These horses are getting the best of everything, there is not much you can say to make it better at the moment.”

“It never gets easier when these things happen and it’s a big blow.”

In the Coral Daily Rewards Shaker Handicap Chase, Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Peso was pulled on the flat with an injury that could not be treated, leaving racecourse vets with no choice but to euthanize him.

Harry Derham saddled Wertpol for the youth hurdle and the horse looked to run a huge race before falling at the end and suffering a life-threatening injury. Derham said on his

“He was a bright talent who came to work fresh and cheerful every day, playing often and expressing himself. He loved his job and I am so sad for his Heart Of The South syndicate, who are the most wonderful group of people. Racing can be a painful sport at times and today was a tough day for a number of connections. A day to forget.”

A Kempton Park spokesperson said: “All of us at Kempton Park are deeply concerned about the welfare of all racehorses, as are the thousands of racing staff who provide them with world-class care at home every day. Our sincere condolences go out to the connections of all three horses.”

A look from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) read: “Our thoughts are with the horses’ connections, including the owners, trainers and stable keepers, who have nurtured and cared for them all their lives and who will be most affected by their loss…

“The BHA will now analyze each of the incidents in detail through our fatal accident review process. This includes an in-depth review of every fatal accident that occurs on a race day, with input from experts including veterinarians, racecourse teams and competitors.

“At this stage there does not appear to be any common factor that can be attributed to these incidents, with each of the injuries being different in nature and sustained under unique circumstances.

“But as is the case when there is more than one fatality at a single race meeting, the BHA will also commence its additional assessment process to assess all relevant factors in relation to the racecourse and determine whether there may be causal links. These processes are part of wider and ongoing efforts in British racing to continually improve safety and reduce the avoidable risk of injury and fatalities.”