Peachey Carnehan's trainer hits back at critics after heartbreaking death of 17-time winner
A trainer has hit back at his critics after his stable suffered the heartbreaking loss of their 17-time winner. Michael Mullineaux said Peachey Carnehan was a yard favourite who was due to be retired with some of his other former racers.
Some fans of the sport have suggested Mullineaux should have already called it a day with the 11-year-old sprinter, as he appeared to have lost his form in several races before he was pulled up by jockey Rab Havlin at Leicester on Thursday.
But the Cheshire handler said: "We had him entered in a couple of races as I thought he was ready to win again. In a million years I never thought something would happen to him. He was an amazing horse for his age, the vet would say so when trotting him up."
Peachey Carnehan was having his 169th race in a career dating back to 2016 when he took a bad step in the Private Boxes For Best View @leicesterraces Classified Stakes.
"We got him back to the stables, had him X-rayed and hoped we could save him," said Mullineaux. "Sadly it was a fracture that could not be repaired. Everybody here has been so upset about what happened.
"We could do without the negativity. Our horses don't take on the big boys but we place a lot of emphasis on finding them a nice home or they stay here after they have finished racing."
Peachey Carnehan was owned by 80-year-old former builder Keith Jones, who visited the yard often to bring the veteran mints or carrots.
The pair made the decision to bring the thoroughbred back to the yard and bury him on the gallops, where they plan to place a bench in tribute to him.
"We love our horses," added former jockey Mullineaux. "Methaaly, an 18-time winner, retired in 2014 and he is living out his days with us.
"We don't do it for the money. If people saw how Peachey Carnehan was every day they might have a different view on it. He would come out of his box bucking and kicking. He loved life and loved racing."
The British Horseracing Authority confirmed that the incident will be reviewed, as is the case with all fatal injuries on the racecourse.
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