An accident while racing on New Year's Day at Cheltenham racecourse left the local owners of popular Pembrokeshire racehorse Hold Em devastated as the seven-year-old chaser had to be destroyed following the fall.
Owned by locals David Hughes, Mike Evans and partners, and trained by Keith Goldsworthy, of Yerbeston, Hold Em, the winner of seven races under rules and one point-to-point, was brought down at the fourth to last fence by another horse that fell during the Victorchandler.com Chase.
Hold Em, who accumulated prize-money in excess of £100,000, won three bumpers and also the Sidney Banks Hurdle at Huntingdon.
The racehorse had developed into a useful chaser, twice winning over fences and also finishing fourth to Nacarat in last season's Racing Post Chase and third to Tranquil Sea in this term's Paddy Power Gold Cup.
"It was nobody's fault, and certainly not the horse's, he was brought down by a faller, which could have happened anywhere and at any time. It's one of the downsides of the game," trainer Goldsworthy told the Racing Post.
"It's been overwhelming how many people have been in touch, but he was a horse who had a big following. He was one of our flagship horses, along with Hills Of Aran, and he helped to put us on the racing map.
"He was a lovely-natured horse, a genuine horse, a great trier. He has left a void in the yard, but although he's gone, he will not be forgotten, never be forgotten by us," he added.