'I'm comforted so many share my pain' - Special Tiara's owner remembers her star

Sally Rowley-Williams has described herself as bereft at the loss of her superstar two-mile chaser Special Tiara following his death at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The 2017 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner suffered a fatal injury when leading the field of the Dublin Chase towards the first fence.

Social media has been awash with racing fans paying tribute to the veteran, whose front-running style and bold jumping made him one of the sport's most popular performers.

Special Tiara puts in a spectacular leap at the third fence of Kempton's Desert Orchid Chase last DecemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He was an extraordinary individual and I'm bereft without him, although I'm comforted by the fact so many other people share my pain," said Rowley-Williams.

"It was a joy to own him. He was an incredible athlete and an incredible personality. He was just so brave and always so enthusiastic.

"You would never have known he was 12. I was looking back at the Maghull Novices' Chase, which he won as a six-year-old, and there wasn't a lot of difference between the horse he was then and the horse he became."

Special Tiara: the Champion Chase winner was a special horseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Rowley-Williams, whose pride and joy was expertly trained by Henry de Bromhead, added: "There are two memories that stand out above all others. The first was his win in the Maghull because everyone was surprised but me.

"I always had so much faith in him. Aintree has always been a great track for me and that was an amazing day.

"The second great memory was his Champion Chase win. That was a dream fulfilled. In fact, Special Tiara fulfilled all my dreams as an owner. He did everything an owner could ever want from their horse.

"I shall be forever grateful to him and to Henry and his team. They did an amazing job."

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