Many Clouds has collapsed and died ……..

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Alec Swan

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…. and as he finished. A horribly black day.

I've no real wish to watch any more racing this afternoon.

Hearts will be broken, but they'll mend of course.

Alec.
 
Oh dear I am glad I was not watching. This going to create a massive backlash from the anti racing fraternity and it is huge pity that he was not retired after the National when I really thought he was going to go down.
 
Velcrobum said:
Oh dear I am glad I was not watching. This going to create a massive backlash from the anti racing fraternity and it is huge pity that he was not retired after the National when I really thought he was going to go down.
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Who needs 'the anti racing fraternity' when we have you!!:(
 
popsdosh said:
Who needs 'the anti racing fraternity' when we have you!!:(
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That is unfair.
I have commented on another thread that the horse has a known problem and perhaps after such an heroic national win it may have been wise to call it a day.

There is a limited number of trips to the well for any horse no matter how talented or brave. There is no doubt that the horse would have had the very best veterinary care throughout his time in training but he was known to have a potentially life ending health issue that occurred more than once after maximum exertion. The horse has done his connections proud with many wins, £800,000 in prize money and the ultimate in the National. Did he need to die today, in my view and I am not concerned to admit it, no I don't think he did. It is a pity for him, his connections and for racing.
 
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I am not remotely anti racing, but I am anti galloping horses to death, even more especially when he had a known problem. Bad judgement, bad horsemanship. Just bad.
 
Just heard about Many Clouds. Such a lovely horse, who gave his all and a lot of joy to his connections. Condolences to the Sherwoods, Trevor Hemmings, Leighton Aspell and all the lads / lasses who looked after him.
 
AdorableAlice said:
…….. I have commented on another thread that the horse has a known problem and perhaps after such an heroic national win it may have been wise to call it a day.
……...
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Whilst a horse is capable of putting up such a gutsy performance, then they continue with their career. MC did have an historic problem and it's only with that most useless of human thoughts, hindsight, that we can say "If only".

There should be no recriminations, personal or otherwise. The horse lived and died doing what he loved and difficult though it may be, perhaps we should rejoice in that he was spared a career doing dressage or any other headline grabbing embarrassment.

Alec.
 
popsdosh said:
Who needs 'the anti racing fraternity' when we have you!!:(
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Continuing to race a horse who had previously had very public post race health issues was always going to be controversal. Probably only die hard racing fanatics will have thought it was a good idea to keep him in training.

Very sad, and yes, of course, the 'anti racing fraternity' will have a field day.

ETA just realised that the term 'die hard' was perhaps inappropriate in the circumstances, but it sums up what happened to poor MC
 
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Gone in a moment in health with a life of the best care doing what he was bred for .
I have no opinions on the ins and outs of this horse but many many TBs suffer worse fates .
 
AdorableAlice said:
That is unfair.
I have commented on another thread that the horse has a known problem and perhaps after such an heroic national win it may have been wise to call it a day.

There is a limited number of trips to the well for any horse no matter how talented or brave. There is no doubt that the horse would have had the very best veterinary care throughout his time in training but he was known to have a potentially life ending health issue that occurred more than once after maximum exertion. The horse has done his connections proud with many wins, £800,000 in prize money and the ultimate in the National. Did he need to die today, in my view and I am not concerned to admit it, no I don't think he did. It is a pity for him, his connections and for racing.
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Cortez said:
I am not remotely anti racing, but I am anti galloping horses to death, even more especially when he had a known problem. Bad judgement, bad horsemanship. Just bad.
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I'm with you both.




Alec Swan said:
There should be no recriminations, personal or otherwise.
Alec.
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But not with this. This result was foreseeable. If the horse had been a boxer or a footballer he would not have been allowed to compete with his history. I feel the connections have brought shame on NH racing and I'm shocked the industry did not prevent the horse from racing again, given his known issues.
 
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I am absolutely heartbroken for the whole team at Oli Sherwood's yard. Many Clouds went out doing what he did best - galloping his rivals into submission. Today he took down one of the most enigmatic chasers we have seen in recent recent years. He deserved his win today but not the ultimate price.

As to his public health problems - Many Clouds had completed and won a lot of races with no ill effects. This did not happen to him every time he raced. The BHA do keep an eye on things and do indeed speak to trainers if they think there is a health risk to the horse or those around him. They would not allow a horse to run that they did not think it capable.

RIP Many Clouds there are still plenty of races with your name on them where you are now x
 
EKW said:
I am absolutely heartbroken for the whole team at Oli Sherwood's yard. Many Clouds went out doing what he did best - galloping his rivals into submission. Today he took down one of the most enigmatic chasers we have seen in recent recent years. He deserved his win today but not the ultimate price.

As to his public health problems - Many Clouds had completed and won a lot of races with no ill effects. This did not happen to him every time he raced. The BHA do keep an eye on things and do indeed speak to trainers if they think there is a health risk to the horse or those around him. They would not allow a horse to run that they did not think it capable.

RIP Many Clouds there are still plenty of races with your name on them where you are now x
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Completely agree with this and with Goldenstar. I will raise a glass to him tonight and to all those who looked after him.
 
Alec Swan said:
Whilst a horse is capable of putting up such a gutsy performance, then they continue with their career. MC did have an historic problem and it's only with that most useless of human thoughts, hindsight, that we can say "If only".

There should be no recriminations, personal or otherwise. The horse lived and died doing what he loved and difficult though it may be, perhaps we should rejoice in that he was spared a career doing dressage or any other headline grabbing embarrassment.

Alec.
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Trevor Hemmings does ensure happy retirement for his horses. Please don't get me wrong, there is no bigger fan of NH racing than myself. Yes he died doing what he loved, yes it was a gutsy performance and he paid the ultimate price in the public arena. Whether he needed to or not is no longer relevant. RIP Many Clouds.
 
Lovely words by Mick Fitzgerald to Oliver Sherwood during the interview on ITV4. Mick Fitz is often criticised for his presenting, but today, he got that tribute spot on. Totally heartfelt.
 
He gave everything right to the line. RIP Many Clouds. Horrible for all concerned with the horse.

Whether running him was right or wrong he would have received the best care possible.
 
Heartbreaking news and Ive been in tears all afternoon, he did have a problem with his wind and they cauterized his palette I believe which made a huge difference, lots of horses have this done. Oliver Sherwood has just taken the trouble to speak to our fb group, my thoughts are with him and all his connections. Many Clouds was an outstanding racehorse and will be missed so much by all who loved and admired him.
 
I missed the race and think I am glad I did. I don't wish to join the ethical debate regarding the horse's previous known health issues, but just to send condolences to his "team" who I am sure will be questioning themselves since they obviously care greatly. It was a tragic end for a great horse, but there are worse ways to go than doing what you love and were born for. RIP Many Clouds :(
 
AdorableAlice said:
That is unfair.
I have commented on another thread that the horse has a known problem and perhaps after such an heroic national win it may have been wise to call it a day.

There is a limited number of trips to the well for any horse no matter how talented or brave. There is no doubt that the horse would have had the very best veterinary care throughout his time in training but he was known to have a potentially life ending health issue that occurred more than once after maximum exertion. The horse has done his connections proud with many wins, £800,000 in prize money and the ultimate in the National. Did he need to die today, in my view and I am not concerned to admit it, no I don't think he did. It is a pity for him, his connections and for racing.
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I agree - he should have been retired after the National. He'd given his connections a great day and they should have thanked him by letting him enjoy the rest of his life having fun out hunting and grazing in a field. People will have to expect criticism of this.
 
Chianti said:
I agree - he should have been retired after the National. He'd given his connections a great day and they should have thanked him by letting him enjoy the rest of his life having fun out hunting and grazing in a field. People will have to expect criticism of this.
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For everyone that says this it is the same for everything - horse and human - at the top of their game. There is always the risk of injury or fatality, known problem or not. Would you be saying this to Mark Todd after his horse had just won round Badminton - it's won a big one, retire him now. Eventing is just as hard, if not harder on a horse than racing. Would you call for the horse that wins the Supreme at HOYS to be retired on the spot because it won at the highest level? Or Big Star after he won his Olympic Gold Medal?

Many Clouds was only 10years old. He was only 8 when he won the National. That is no age for a National Hunt Racehorse.
 
AdorableAlice said:
That is unfair.
I have commented on another thread that the horse has a known problem and perhaps after such an heroic national win it may have been wise to call it a day.

There is a limited number of trips to the well for any horse no matter how talented or brave. There is no doubt that the horse would have had the very best veterinary care throughout his time in training but he was known to have a potentially life ending health issue that occurred more than once after maximum exertion. The horse has done his connections proud with many wins, £800,000 in prize money and the ultimate in the National. Did he need to die today, in my view and I am not concerned to admit it, no I don't think he did. It is a pity for him, his connections and for racing.
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I absolutely agree with you.

A sad day.
 
AdorableAlice said:
That is unfair.
I have commented on another thread that the horse has a known problem and perhaps after such an heroic national win it may have been wise to call it a day.

There is a limited number of trips to the well for any horse no matter how talented or brave. There is no doubt that the horse would have had the very best veterinary care throughout his time in training but he was known to have a potentially life ending health issue that occurred more than once after maximum exertion. The horse has done his connections proud with many wins, £800,000 in prize money and the ultimate in the National. Did he need to die today, in my view and I am not concerned to admit it, no I don't think he did. It is a pity for him, his connections and for racing.
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Cortez said:
I am not remotely anti racing, but I am anti galloping horses to death, even more especially when he had a known problem. Bad judgement, bad horsemanship. Just bad.
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Well said. Very sad event :(
 
EKW said:
Eventing is just as hard, if not harder on a horse than racing.
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But it's not, though, is it? The death rate of horses running in an NH race must be many, many times higher than the death rate of horses running in a three day event.


Would you call for the horse that wins the Supreme at HOYS to be retired on the spot because it won at the highest level? Or Big Star after he won his Olympic Gold Medal?
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If the risk of the horse dying during his next outing was as high as the risk of an NH horse dying during his next outing (is it still 1 in 250 starters these days?) then I think I probably would stop after winning the highest level if it was my horse. I would want my last memory of it competing to be at the top of its game, not its dead body in a competition venue.
 
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