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Trainer Lucinda Russell announced the death of popular chaser Mighty Thunder on Monday

The ten-year-old raced thirty-seven times with seven wins over fences and hurdles, including a success in the Scottish Grand National in 2021. All of his career victories came at Northern and Scottish circuits close to Russell’s base in Kinross; Perth, Hexham, Musselburgh, Kelso and Ayr.

MIGHTY THUNDER.
MIGHTY THUNDER. Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Mighty Thunder suffered an aneurysm in the stable area at Ayr Racecourse after unseating in Saturday's renewal of the Scottish Grand National.

Russell expressed her sadness for the loss of the horse in a statement on Facebook. "We were all devastated to lose Mighty Thunder yesterday," she said.

"Having unseated Patrick in the Scottish National Mighty was caught and returned to the stables looking fine. Unfortunately, he then suffered from an aneurysm, a hole in an artery, and died in the stable area. Both Hannah his devoted groom and Nicola and Colin his owners were with him and the whole event was handled with care and compassion by the vets."

The ten-year-old has been with Lucinda Russell for his entire racing career and was well-loved by the entire team.

"Losing any horse is hard but it is excruciatingly painful to lose one who was loved from the minute that he walked into the yard seven years ago and who took us all on such a journey including the Scottish Grand National and Edinburgh National in 2021.

"Mighty lived the life of an athlete; he was fed well, exercised carefully, and allowed to be a horse in the field and in the stable. He knew he was adored and goes down in history with his brave wins.

"His death was due to a weak blood vessel wall; common in pleasure horses, racehorses, humans and other mammals. If he had not run yesterday, it would have been an issue when he next galloped, in the field or at home. It is tragic to lose him."


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