‘Utter devastation’ engulfs Cheltenham races as ‘one of the star horses of the year’ Gesskille suffers fatal injury

THERE were scenes of ‘utter devastation’ at Cheltenham races after one of the star horses of the year sadly suffered a fatal injury.

Gesskille, who was trained by expert duo Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, was put down after the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old gelding was sent off 18-5 for the big race but jockey Henry Brooke pulled him up sharply once the injury had become clear.

Gesskille had won his past two races for heartbroken owner The Nevers Racing Partnership I.

He had won almost £300,000 from just 24 races and had been turned into a superstar by his up-and-coming trainers.

They put a silver lining on the dark cloud by winning the last race with White Rhino.

But as Racing TV host Martin Dixon said, the tragic loss of Gesskille ‘will drown out everything else’.

A crying Brooke said: “A winner at Cheltenham and it’s the worst day of my racing career.

“I’m gutted to lose the horse, he means so much for the whole yard.”

More to follow.