Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown winner Tiutchev dies at 29

High-class and versatile chaser Tiutchev, who won Graded races over distances ranging from two miles to three miles and one furlong, has died at the age of 29.

He earned £445,240 in a 44-race career, landing the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham in 2000 and the equivalent race at Punchestown later that spring and gaining his final success in the Martell Cognac Cup at Aintree in 2004.

Part-owner Jerry Wright said on Tuesday: "Our old warrior passed away peacefully earlier today in the paddock at my wife's family farm, where he has spent a long and happy retirement.

"He was 29 and probably exceeded all our expectations on his lifespan given his history of colic in his racing days!

"His paddock companion for all his retirement was another former Cheltenham Festival winner in Kissair, who continues to battle on at the age of 31!"

Tiutchev gained his final win in the Martell Cognac Cup at AintreeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Reflecting on Tiutchev's career, Wright said: "He took us to some great places, winning at the Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown festivals as well as racing in Japan in the Nakayama Grand Jump – though that was a race and a course that was never going to suit him.

"His second to Edredon Bleu in the 2003 King George at Kempton was another of his best performances and it was quite something to win over two miles, two and a half and three."

Having been trained on the Flat by Roger Charlton, Tiutchev was bought to go jumping with Henrietta Knight before moving to David Nicholson, Nicky Henderson and then Martin Pipe.

He won 12 races in total, including the Grade 1 Ascot Chase over 2m3½f in 2001 and 2003.

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