A Day of Tragedy at Kempton Park: Three Horses Lost
The atmosphere at Kempton Park was heavy with sorrow as three horses met their untimely end during the Lanzarote Hurdle card. Among them was the renowned Kalif Du Berlais, a Grade One champion whose loss left trainer Paul Nicholls devastated. Nicholls described the tragedy as a "big kick in the teeth" and a "sad day" for everyone involved.
Kalif Du Berlais, co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, unseated his rider, Harry Cobden, in the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase. The horse then landed lame, suffering a broken shoulder that proved irreparable. The veterinary team had to make the difficult decision to euthanize him on Saturday.
"It's a sad day when you lose horses like that," Nicholls said, his words echoing the pain felt by the entire team. "It's hard on the whole team, and it hits everyone hard, from the owners to the dedicated staff who care for these horses. Seeing such a talented horse like Kalif Du Berlais, who was showing his class today, unable to reach his potential is truly heartbreaking."
Nicholls continued, "Harry was extremely upset and couldn't bear the thought of riding in the final race. Kalif Du Berlais is a bold and energetic horse, and his aggressive approach to fences sometimes led to unfortunate falls. Today, he was enthusiastic and running beautifully, and we could only imagine the possibilities. But sometimes, these things happen, and we must accept the loss and move forward."
Another tragic incident occurred in the Coral Daily Rewards Shaker Handicap Chase, where Jonjo and AJ O'Neill's Peso was pulled up on the flat due to an injury that could not be treated. The racecourse vets had to euthanize him.
In the juvenile hurdle, Harry Derham's Wertpol was a standout performer until he fell at the last hurdle, sustaining a life-ending injury. Derham expressed his grief on X, stating, "Today at Kempton Park was an utterly miserable day, marked by the loss of Wertpol, who was only with us for a short time. He was a bright talent, always eager and happy to work, playing and expressing himself. His passion for the sport was evident, and I am deeply saddened for the Heart Of The South syndicate, an incredible group of people. Racing can be a challenging sport, and today has been a difficult day for many."
A spokesperson for Kempton Park emphasized the park's commitment to the well-being of all racehorses, acknowledging the thousands of racing staff who provide exceptional care. They extended their condolences to the owners and connections of the three horses, emphasizing the profound impact of such losses on the racing community.
