The equestrian world bids farewell to racing legend, Horse Chestnut. The 19 year old Thoroughbred died in his stall on 19 February. It has been discovered that Horse Chestnut’s death is a result of heart failure.
Horse Chestnut was born out of London Wall and by Fort Wood, who also recently passed. Horse Chestnut was a tremendously successful racehorse, arguably South Africa’s best racehorse to date. His race record boasts many victorious wins in South Africa and abroad. He won nine out of ten starts while in training with Mike de Kock. De Kock stated that, “Horse Chestnut defined my career and set it on a different path. Working with him was a life-altering experience. It changed the course of my own and my family’s lives. Our memories of him are fond and they will always remain.”
Horse Chestnut was titled as the 1998-1999 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old colt. His group 1 wins include the South African Derby, the Gosforth Park Classic, the J & B Met and the Cape Argus Guineas. Horse Chestnut was also South Africa’s first Triple Crown winner. After the South African Derby, Horse Chestnut was sent to race in the United States of America. He was brought back to South Africa in 2009 where he went to stand at the Drakenstein Stud. Horse Chestnut has produced very successful racing progeny.
Gaynor Rupert, owner of the Drakenstein Stud, said that, “It was a privilege to stand such a horse of tremendous importance in South African racing history. He was a gentleman and loved by all the staff at Drakenstein. As one of the first two stallions of the farm it was something special for all at the stud to watch the friendship and bond develop between him and Trippi over the years. He will be sorely missed.”