Racing mourns death of Desert Orchid

14 April 2012

Desert Orchid, the ever-popular Cheltenham Gold Cup winner of 1989, died peacefully this morning at the age of 27.

The dashing grey achieved iconic status within the National Hunt arena and was much-loved by racing enthusiasts for his iron will and extreme adaptability.

He won 34 races in total, including seven at his beloved Kempton, where four victories in the King George VI Steeple Chase underlined his immense talent.

His former trainer David Elsworth revealed: "Desert Orchid died peacefully in his stable at 6.05 this morning.

"There was no stress, he departed from this world with dignity and no fuss. He did his dying in the same individual way that he did his living. It was time to go."

Elsworth continued: "Dessie had not been well for the past week and was losing his co-ordination and Richard Burridge visited only yesterday along with Janice Coyle.

"Our thanks goes to David Bartram from Greenwood Ellis for his kind help in making his last days comfortable.

"He was 27 years old and we had been involved with this wonderful horse for quarter of a century both in his racing days and retirement.

"Everybody will miss him and our sympathy goes to his adoring public and fan club that never ceased to take opportunities to see him at his public appearances."

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