Legendary Cheltenham horse Envoi Allen has died after collapsing on the horse walk moments after the showpiece race of the Festival, the Gold Cup.
Envoi Allen was on his way back to the stables when he collapsed and he was pronounced dead after being surrounded by green screens and attended to by vets.
He is the third horse to die at Cheltenham this year after Hansard and HMS Seahorse and more than 80 have died at the Festival since 2000.
The 12-year-old was a huge hit with the fans, picking up 10 Grade 1 wins throughout his career including three at Cheltenham.
Trained by Henry de Bromhead and jockeyed by Darragh O’Keeffe, this was supposed to be Envoi Allen’s final race before enjoying retirement.
De Bromhead had said in advance of the race that he was ‘so well at home that they had to let him run this afternoon,’ despite 12 being an old age to compete in the Gold Cup.
Legendary Cheltenham horse Envoi Allen has sadly died after his final race (pictured today with Darragh O’Keeffe onboard)
Envoi Allen won 10 Grade 1 races and added a record-breaking third Down Royal Champion Chase to his trophy cabinet in November
His fantastic career saw him win the Champion Bumper, Turners Novices’ Chase and Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
O’Keeffe said: ‘Everything was grand and I was happy out there. He pulled up A1 and everything like that, but when we were trotting back (after the race) he collapsed. He was unbelievable and a special horse. He won numerous races and it just happened so fast.’
Richard Thompson, from owners Cheveley Park Stud, added: ‘We didn’t see it but the vets OK’d them all after the race and Darragh said he was pricking his ears after the race. He then went over as he was coming back onto the chute. He’d just retired but then in a minute or two he was gone.
‘He was such a lovely little horse and it wasn’t the ending we wanted. He’s been an incredible servant and just wonderful over the years. It’s such a sad way to go.’
James Given, the British Horseracing Authority’s Director of Equine Regulation, Safety & Welfare, told Racing TV: ‘There was a very acute cardiovascular collapse, almost certainly. The vets were immediately with him but he was passing very quickly.
‘He’d already won a Grade 1 this season. He was given the normal pre-race examination this morning, had his heart listened to, trotted up, limbs checked, everything normal as you’d expect.
‘Sadly, events overtook him. He’s going to have a post-mortem tomorrow.’
A statement from Cheltenham Racecourse said: ‘Envoi Allen was immediately attended to by a team of vets but sadly passed away. We send our heartfelt condolences to all connections.’
‘Gutted about Envoi Allen. A Cheltenham legend,’ one person wrote in a tribute on X.
Another said: ‘The news about Envoi Allen is heartbreaking. A horse who gave us so many moments. The Champion Bumper, the Ballymore, and three Down Royal Champion Chases to name but a few.
‘As Richard Pugh said in commentary during his final victory: “they can start commissioning the statue.”‘
Another wrote: ‘Heartbreaking news following the conclusion of the Cheltenham Gold Cup as ENVOI ALLEN is sadly no longer with us. The word “legend” is thrown around a fair bit but he certainly fell into that category for me – especially at Down Royal and Cheltenham.’
Envoi Allen pictured racing in this year’s Boodles Gold Cup at the age of 12
One said: ‘Life is so, so cruel. Devastating news about Envoi Allen. Rest in peace old boy, run free. Completely sickening.’
Envoi Allen could have had many more years of life ahead; the average lifespan of domesticated horse reaches between 25 and 30 years.
He achieved his first Grade 1 Cheltenham success in the Champion Bumper in 2019 while he was trained by Gordon Elliott.
In 2020, he added the Novices’ Chase to his trophy cabinet with Davy Russell onboard.
He was welcomed to De Bromhead’s yard in 2021 and went on to achieved further success under him, claiming the 2023 Ryanair Chase jockeyed by Rachael Blackmore.
Envoi Allen was still competitive until the end of his life. Last November, he claimed a record third Down Royal Champion Chase, adding to his triumphs in 2022 and 2024.
He finished last of all the finishers in this year’s Gold Cup, with Gaelic Warrior winning.
