25/02/01: Young Kenny, one of the country's most popular chasers and a leading contender for the Martell Grand National, was put down after suffering a serious injury to a hind leg in the De Vere Gold Cup at Haydock Park yesterday.
The Peter Beaumont-trained 10-year-old, who won 11 races and £256,894 in win and place prize money, was just behind the leaders as they jumped the 12th fence but something went seriously wrong on the run to the next and Russ Garritty quickly pulled him up.
He was still being attended by the vet as the runners passed the winning post but he could not be saved.
Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: "Sadly he shattered a hind fetlock and it is most distressing for his connections and everyone."
Beaumont and Garritty were distraught and the latter said: "I am gutted, I just can't believe it. "It happened in a few strides and I pulled him up as quickly as possible - at first I just thought he had pulled a shoe off.
"He gave me one of my greatest moments in racing when carrying me round to win the Becher Chase at Aintree, it is the horse which does it not the jockey. "He was a heavyweight athlete and I owe him a lot. The boss [Beaumont] did him proud and I am devastated for him."
PA