Racing:Celestial Gold, the winner of the Paddy Power and Hennessy Gold Cups in 2004 for former trainer Martin Pipe, has died at the age of 12.
The decision was made to put him down after his health deteriorated before Christmas.
Owner David Johnson said of the David Pipe-trained chaser: “He was a great servant and he gave us some great days.
“He had cancer and was in increasing pain, so the vet decided that it was in his best interest (to be put down).
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“He had the manners of a gentleman — he’d lick you to death rather than bite you — and he’s a great loss, not only for us, but for the Moorcroft Centre, where he was being looked after so well.”
Celestial Gold won five of his 18 starts before his retirement in October 2008.