Cheltenham Festival legend Delta Work dies aged 12 as trainer 'gutted'

Legendary racehorse Delta Work has died at the age of 12.

Last year’s Grand National runner-up and three-time Cheltenham Festival winner died after suffering a bout of colic just weeks before he was due to run in the Cheltenham Festival again.

Delta Work famously beat Tiger Roll in an incredible Cross Country Chase in 2022 before winning the race again the following year. He also won the Pertemps Final in 2018 before switching focus to the cross-country scene.

He won five Grade 1s over fences and triumphed in the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in the 2019-20 campaign. He later finished fifth to Al Boum Photo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup afterwards.

The horse’s trainer, Gordon Elliot, announced the sad news, he said: "Sadly Delta Work died this morning as a result of colic.

"After showing signs of colic he was brought to Fethard Equine Hospital and was operated on but sadly there was nothing that could be done for him.

"Everyone here is gutted by this news. He was such a huge favourite of the yard and he gave us so many memorable days over so many seasons.

"As a five-time Grade 1 winner and a triple Cheltenham Festival winner he was everything you could hope for in a racehorse.

"It was an honour and privilege to train him for Michael and Anita O’Leary and we will be lucky to come across a horse of such class, versatility and longevity again."

Fans took to social media to pay their tributes to the legendary horse, one user on X wrote: “This is sad news. You brought us all joy watching you on the courses. Beautiful horse”.

A second added: “Terrible news, Gordon. Thoughts go out to you, the owners and everyone at the yard. What a fantastic horse he was.” With a third saying: “Poor Delta. Great servant he was! A lovely horse.” While a fourth echoed: “Heartbreaking news. Legend of a horse.”

Delta Work last ran in January, finishing fourth in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham as the team ramped him up for a shot at a third victory in the Cross Country Chase at next month’s festival. He won over €1million in prize-money and earned a top rating of 171 during his peak in 2020.