THE tragic death of superstar horse Mighty Potter has left Gordon Elliott and the horse’s British connections totally devastated.
But some punters were, rightly or wrongly, split on the trainer’s words in a very tough interview moments after the horse’s passing.
"You're gutted, heartbroken, it's very hard to find horses like him"
Gordon Elliott talks to Gary O'Brien about the loss of stable star Mighty Potter at Fairyhouse today. pic.twitter.com/68FJ3eih55
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 9, 2023
Four-time Grade 1 winner Mighty Potter, who had won more than £250,000 from just 11 races, fell during a race at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
The horse had been sent off 6-5 fav for the WilllowWarm Gold Cup Chase but came down at the tenth under jockey Keith Donoghue.
Mighty Potter, who was owned by Andy and Gemma Brown of Stoke-based Caldwell Construction, was being talked of as a future Gold Cup winner.
But sadly those dreams will now never be realised and the Browns paid tribute to their yard star on Twitter.
A post from their account read: “Heartbreaking to be saying these words.
“Rest in peace to our much loved, multiple Grade 1 winner, Mighty Potter.
“You have given us (all involved) so many fantastic memories that we will never forget.
“Thank you to everyone involved who helped him be the superstar he was.”
Elliott agreed to speak to Racing TV in the difficult few moments after the race.
The three-time Grand National-winning trainer was said to be visibly devastated at the passing by those in attendance at the racecourse.
But some people watching the interview on TV claimed the Irish trainer – who was banned for sitting on a dead horse – appeared to lack compassion.
One claimed ‘you cannot convince me he is sad here’ while it was the opinion of another that Elliott ‘really doesn’t come across well in moments like this’.
Another punter said they thought the interview was ‘very strange’.
But to others it was clear Elliott was cut up and that, sadly, while everything possible is done to ensure the safety of horses, sometimes tragedies happen.
Elliott himself said: “I loved him to bits. Everything about him oozed class and the day he won the Drinmore was very special.
“The sad thing is there was so much more to come as well.
“He was only a baby, a six-year-old, and we were mad looking forward to stepping him up in trip next year and seeing if he was a Gold Cup horse.
“But, as I said, that’s the game and you have to keep your head up.”
Former Stoke star Charlie Adam was among those offering his sympathies to connections, writing: “Sorry for your loss, he was a special horse.”
Another person wrote: “So terirbly sorry to see him go the way he did.
“Such a bright star who shone so brightly and must have made you so very proud. RIP Potter.”
While another wrote: “Utterly devastating news. A wonderful career cut short.
“Sending my condolences to everyone concerned. Some wonderful memories, he’ll never be forgotten.”