Abuffalosoldier's joint-owner opens up on his 'worst day' but says racing 'takes you to places that life in general doesn't'

Abuffalosoldier's joint-owner has said that events at Cheltenham last Sunday took him from feeling "so alive" to experiencing "the worst day of my life", while also launching a staunch defence of the sport.

Elaborating on a letter to the Racing Post, Martin McLoughlin, who owned the chaser as part of the Mahler & The Wailers syndicate, reflected on how his elation following his horse's brave front-running victory in a handicap chase changed to utter despair on finding out the seven-year-old had collapsed and died just moments later.

"Sunday was just about the worst day in 54 years of my life," McLoughlin said. "When he soared over the last and galloped up the hill I have never felt more alive. It was pure elation. Racing takes you to places that life in general doesn't with its highs and lows.

"We were bouncing around in the stands and it was the best moment. That's what racing can do and I want to convey that to people. This sport gives people a livelihood and a living.

"You accept the risk there will be horrible days and sadly we've landed on one, but this sport is magical and it employs thousands of people who love these horses and give their lives for them."

The ill-fated Abuffalosoldier soars over the final fence under Sean Bowen on his way to victory at Cheltenham on SundayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

McLoughlin said his primary thoughts were with Abuffalosoldier's groom Esme Cook and the team at trainer Warren Greatrex's yard. He also praised the actions of both the on-course vets and the BHA for its response to the horse's collapse.

He said: "Esme looked after 'Buff', as we call him, every day since he joined Warren in 2020. She was, and is, broken. He was her best friend and he had the best of everything every day of his life.

"He entered the race in the best of health and the post-mortem showed he had an aortic rupture. He literally gave his everything and more, but this couldn't have been seen before the race.

"Everyone involved has been fantastic because it was a horrible situation. The BHA's vet confirmed the cause of death, Ian Renton [Cheltenham managing director] was at Warren's on Monday and the racecourse staff on the day took us aside and looked after us."

Abuffalosoldier's death featured on the main ITV News on Sunday evening as part of coverage of the loss of three horses at Cheltenham after Napper Tandy and Bangers And Cash also died during the afternoon. McLoughlin said the report, alongside social media comments, compelled him to respond to racing's detractors.

He said: "I don't really do social media, but I've seen lots of anti-racing stuff and I thought if I gave my alternative view it might balance things out.

"There have been calls for racing to be banned, or altered, to try to reduce the risk to horses and I respect everyone's right to hold these views, but I would simply ask that you respect mine.

"The people who are closest to the sport probably know more about it, and the people who want it banned are the furthest away. I would encourage everyone [who wants racing banned] to speak to people who work within the sport and then see if they still feel the same."

The letter in full

I am a joint-owner of Abuffalosoldier. Sunday was just about the worst day of the 54 years of my life. 'Buff' as we called him had just put in a round of jumping that a racing fan would seldom see. We knew he had this in him and we had entered him in the Becher at Aintree in a couple of weeks as James Bowen had repeatedly told us to get him over the National fences.

When he soared over the last and galloped up the hill I have never felt more alive in my life - pure elation. We walked down from the stand while others congratulated myself and Kieran O'Brien, another owner, and told us "you have a National horse there" and we dreamt of better days ahead.

We went to the winner's enclosure and were about to speak with Rishi Persad from ITV when we were told the news. We ran down the chute and up the last furlong and a half of the course to meet Sean Bowen, who gave us the tragic news. No festival winner, no National fences for our star.

Esme Cook, who looked after Buff every day since he joined Warren Greatrex back in 2020 was there. She was, and is, broken. He was her best friend and he had the best of everything every day of his life. He entered the race in the best of health and the post-mortem showed he had an aortic rupture – he literally gave his everything and more but this could not have been seen before the race.

There will be calls for racing to be banned or be altered to try to reduce the risk to horses. I respect everyone's right to hold these views. I would simply ask that you respect my views.

Buff gave us our best days. Racing takes you to places that life in general doesn't. Both highs and lows. Like night follows day you cannot have one without the other. We felt like kings for a few minutes. Then we felt nothing, totally numbed.

You accept the risk that there will be horrible days and sadly we have landed on one but this sport is magical and it employs thousands of people who love these horses and give their lives for them – please do not take it away.

Martin McLoughlin, joint-owner

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Warren Greatrex 'devastated' after Abuffalosoldier collapses and dies following Cheltenham win 

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