Racing in shock after death of Willie Mullins’ Cheltenham Festival winner Facile Vega aged seven
RACING is in shock after the death of Willie Mullins’ Cheltenham Festival winner Facile Vega aged just seven.
The four-time Grade 1 winner ‘kicked a wall’ fracturing his pelvis and there was ‘no coming back from it’, said a heartbroken Mullins.
The son of mighty mare Quevega won the 2022 Champion Bumper and finished runner-up in the following year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
He was last seen finishing seventh of 11 in this year’s Turners Novices’ Chase having been sent off 5-2 joint-favourite.
Facile Vega raced in the red and blue silks of owners Hammer & Trowel Syndicate.
Mullins told the Racing Post: “Facile Vega kicked a wall with both hind legs.
“He ended up fracturing a bone high up in his pelvis and, unfortunately, there was no coming back from it.
Facile Vega also claimed the Punchestown Champion Bumper before adding the big Christmas Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Mullins famously said he awarded one of his favourite horses ‘nearly 11-and-a-half out of ten’ for the brilliant performance that day.
Facile Vega later added the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle to his impressive CV and took to fences reasonably well, winning a beginners’ chase with the likes of future Grade 1 winner Spillane’s Tower trailing behind.
That was to prove his final victory after he finished last in the Racing Post Novice Chase won by Found A Fifty last December having been sent off 1-2 fav.
Facile Vega then finished fourth in the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival before his disappointing – and final – showing at Cheltenham.
It’s fair to say Irish and British champion trainer Mullins adored Facile Vega.
Though he never quite lived up to the enormous hype, he was the apple of his trainer’s eye.
Facile Vega’s mare Quevega was a six-time Mares’ Hurdle winner and one of Mullins’ greatest horses.
Speaking ahead of Facile Vega’s debut over hurdles, Mullins, who labelled Facile Vega ‘extraordinary’ after his passing was announced, said: “Over the years I haven’t seen a horse I am looking forward to as much as Facile Vega.”
Punters were quick to pay their respects to one of Closutton’s most treasured horses.
One wrote: “Really sad news to hear that Facile Vega has passed away, thoughts with all connections.”
While another said: “Devastated to hear Facile Vega has passed away.
“An absolutely immense horse on his day and one the biggest ever performances in the slop to win the Champion Bumper.
“Never easy to see the good ones go. RIP Facile.”