Athlone jockey pays tribute after death of beloved horse

Pictured above: Croco Bay and Kielan Woods celebrate success at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival. Photo: racingpost.com

The horse which gave an Athlone jockey his most memorable day in racing has sadly suffered a fatal injury.

Last year, Athlone's Kielan Woods claimed a famous victory on board Croco Bay during the Cheltenham Festival.

Priced at odds of 66/1, Croco Bay won the Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. Afterwards, Woods described it as the "best moment" of his career "by a long way."

On Monday last, however, Croco Bay suffered a fatal injury when unseating his rider Bryan Carver in the 2m handicap chase at Southwell.

Paying tribute to Croco Bay, Woods told the Racing Post: “I can’t really put into words what Croco Bay did for me. He was the best for me and loved his racing. He got keener every morning he went out for a canter. It’s so sad and he took us to all the festivals. It’s heartbreaking."

“He ran a fantastic race here the last day and social media went mad for him. He had such a following,” continued the Athlone native.

Ben Case was Croco Bay's trainer for last year's Cheltenham victory and he also hailed the horse owned by Lady Jane Grosvenor.

"It’s tough for us all. Croco Bay loved racing and has been a superstar for us. He didn’t deserve that but that happens sometimes and we have to live with it. He was a horse of a lifetime," Case told the Racing Post.

“He was very special to Lady Jane Grosvenor, who puts so much into racing and has been a big supporter of our yard. Croco Bay took us to all the big festivals and we’ll never forget his win at Cheltenham. It was a special day and a proud moment.

“He gave us everything so it’s a very sad day, but we have to remember the good times. He was a star all his life,” Case added.