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Originally Posted by NoChanceToDance
Macs Joy  |
SO sad.
Sporting Life.....
TRAGEDY AS MACS BREAKS DOWN
Barry Geraghty paid tribute to a "great servant" after Macs Joy lost his life when breaking down in the Boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Jessica Harrington's eight-year-old formed part a holy trinity of hurdlers alongside Irish compatriots Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace, and fought out many memorable finishes with the duo.
Only a short head and a head separated the trio in the 2005 Irish Champion Hurdle, with Macs Joy gaining the upper hand - forming one of his nine career wins from 30 starts. He also finished runner-up to Brave Inca in the 2006 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle with Hardy Eustace third.
The three-times Grade One winner had been a popular choice for what proved to be his final outing and he was backed into 7-2 favouritism alongside last season's Champion Hurdle hero Sublimity.
But having travelled sweetly he broke down badly before the third-last flight and was pulled up by Geraghty, before being put down after a broken tibia was diagnosed.
Geraghty said: "It is a desperate pity as he was a great servant and a great horse in his own right.
"He had felt fine all of the way, but I then felt him lose his action behind.
"Jessie is upset at losing such a good horse. He has been with her for the past five seasons and has won plenty of top-class races.
"Winning the AIG Champion Hurdle in Leopardstown when he beat Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace, and when he was second to Brave Inca in the 2006 Champion Hurdle were probably my two favourite memories.
"He was a pleasure to ride. He was easy to settle, jumped brilliantly and I always enjoyed riding him."
Clerk of the course Simon Claisse confirmed: "He broke a tibia, which is a bone above the hock, and was put down immediately."