Three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Delta Work dies from colic
Three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Delta Work was hailed an “absolute superstar” after he died on Thursday following a bout of colic.
Trained by Gordon Elliott for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, the 12-year-old won 12 races of which five victories were achieved at Grade One level.
He gained his first Cheltenham Festival success in the 2018 Pertemps Final and he returned to the Cotswolds to win back-to-back renewals of the Glenfarclas Chase around Prestbury Park’s cross-country course, notably getting the better of his dual Grand National-winning stablemate Tiger Roll three years ago.
He also ran three times in the Grand National, finishing second last year behind I Am Maximus which helped take his career earnings to just short of £1 million.
The Network gelding, whose big-race CV also includes a victory in the 2020 Irish Gold Cup, was being readied for a third tilt at the Glenfarclas Chase and potentially a fourth outing in the Grand National at Aintree.
However, after showing signs of colic he was taken to Fethard Equine Hospital and underwent surgery but the veteran ultimately could not be saved.
“He was an unbelievable horse and we were very, very lucky and proud to have him and be associated with him,” said Gigginstown’s Eddie O’Leary.
“He was brilliant for Gordon and Gordon was brilliant for him. He was so versatile, so honest and so sound.
“He had the colic this morning and we tried to operate to save him for the field, but even that unfortunately didn’t work out.
“He seems to have been around forever and God bless him, he was an absolute superstar.”
In a short statement posted on X, Elliott said: “Sadly Delta Work has passed away this morning at the age of 12 after a bout of colic.
“He was a privilege to train and won five Grade Ones and at three Cheltenham Festivals. He was a hero and will be sorely missed by everyone at Cullentra.”
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