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Ulster Grand National winning horse Chief Oscar drops dead after race

Thursday, 4 March 2010

Jockey Andrew Lynch tends to the fallen horse

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It should have been a cause for celebration after Chief Oscar won one of the biggest events in the Ulster horse racing calendar — but just moments later triumph turned to tragedy.

Jockey Andrew Lynch was celebrating success in the Ulster Grand National yesterday when his mount collapsed and died.

The heartbroken jockey was reduced to tears after he was unable to save the horse, which died instantly.

Chief Oscar is believed to have suffered a heart attack seconds after crossing the finishing post at Downpatrick Racecourse.

It was a sombre end to yesterday’s showpiece event, which attracted more than 2,000 spectators.

The nine-year-old horse had held off the challenge of Bally Wall to win the £16,000 first prize, but stumbled to the ground as Mr Lynch was pulling up.

The winning jockey was visibly upset as he stood over the stricken animal, and afterwards described his shock at the tragic turn of events.

“There was no indication as he jumped the last fence in front that this drama would follow,” he said.

“I pulled him up after passing the winning post and it was only after cantering back to the start that he lost his rhythm and went down.

“There seems no obvious reason for it. The horse just ran his heart out. I have never known anything like it.”

Chief Oscar, which was trained by Downpatrick man Brian Hamilton, had taken the lead five fences from the finish line of the 3.5 mile race. Mr Hamilton was in the parade ring when he was approached by one of the stewards. He walked to the scene and also broke down in tears after seeing the animal.

“It is a terrible way to end the day. I had always wanted to win the Ulster National, which is on my home ground, but it has ended in tragedy,” he said.

“He collapsed past the line. The vet said he probably ruptured an artery and had a heart attack.”

The winning owner, Bobby Donaldson, added: “The course ambulance went down and when I saw it, I feared the worst.”

Belfast Telegraph racing correspondent Jimmy Walker, who was at yesterday’s meeting, said it was a freak tragedy.

“This was a freak occurrence as far as racing at this level is concerned,” he said.

“I never remember a horse winning a race and then dying a few yards after completing the course.”

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How terribly sad for all his connections, but what a way to go. he will never get old and stiff, he went out on the highest accolade of his life and his bavery made him go out on a high bless him. I have a 26 year old ex chaser and it breaks my heart to see him ageing and slowing down - whilst it is such a tragedy for Chief Oscar and all his connections, it is better to go like that - doing what he loved - than growing old and stiff and relying on someone guessing when the time is right to let him go. And for those who think racing is cruel, how wrong. This horse was clearly LOVED by all who knew him and clearly he LOVED to race and feel the wind in his face. Horses don't run and win like that unless they love what they are doing. My heart goes out to all connections, what a sad end - but for Chief, he went a winner and doing what he loved to do. All my love to you xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Posted by LisaH | 14.03.10, 13:48 GMT

ok to all the people who say horse racing is cruel it isnt!!! the horses love there job and its gives them a purpose and stops them from being bored standing in a field all day and anyone with a bit of sense looks after there horse properly and without it the irish economy would way worse of without all the money that horse racing puts into it and the millions of jobs it creates and it was a disgrace to show it on the news it shouldnt have been allowed bbc newsline is a disgrace if this had been a person that had died at the course it wouldnt been allowed out of respect to the family and i think the same respect should have been given to the owner and trainer who had built up a very close bond to the horse and it was devstating to lose him and if the horse had of won and been fine this wouldnt have been blown so out of proportion and its just like a heart condition in humans

Posted by sookie | 10.03.10, 00:29 GMT

They were right to show this horses death: the public should be aware of both sides of racing, not only the glory?

Posted by Heather | 05.03.10, 19:03 GMT

barry the baptist..................Have a heart the poor horse was driven to death you might say and all for the sake of money , money it never even got a sniff of.
The poor horse I was so saddened each time i saw it on the news I just hope they don't try and pass the title on to whoever came second..just wouldn't be fair.

Posted by kate | 04.03.10, 18:29 GMT

Disgusting abuse and exploitation of these poor animals.

Posted by Karyn | 04.03.10, 17:59 GMT

Disguting abuse and exploitation of these poor animals.

Posted by Karyn | 04.03.10, 17:58 GMT

Why did the BBC feel it necessary to show the horse collapsing on Newsline last night? It was utterly tasteless and distressing despite their warning.

I was totally disgusted by it.

Posted by Strucker | 04.03.10, 13:17 GMT

HORRENDOUS

Posted by NIGEL | 04.03.10, 12:14 GMT

I have to laugh at the BT's Jimmy Walker's comment "This was a freak occurrence" and "I never remember a horse winning a race and dying a few yards after completing the course".
You're obviously not much of a follower of racing Jimmy as I have seen it at least 3 or 4 times. Also, your comment that this is a freak occurrence are ridiculous. If you take a full calendar year and take in to account both diciplines (NH & Flat) there will be at least 10 horses that suffer fatal heart attacks due to racing, on top of the other hundreds of horses that break down, break their necks etc. So don't patronise us saying that this is a one off situation.

Horse racing is cruel and that is a fact. The horses are over-bred and only a small percentage of them make it to the racecourse with the surplus facing a hard future or worse!! Horses run in groups and will continue to run even if they are in extreme pain or frightened and that is why you will continue to see many deaths on the course!!

Posted by Anti Racing | 04.03.10, 09:41 GMT