'He was part of the family' - Madden pays tribute to much-loved Shake The Bucket

Shake The Bucket, one of Ireland's most versatile performers over the last decade, has died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 13.

He ran a remarkable 117 times in a career which stretched over eight years, winning a point-to-point, three hurdle races and two chases.

Shake The Bucket was best known for his exploits around Dundalk and was a ten-time winner at Ireland's only all-weather track. He made an astonishing 60 appearances at the venue and was placed on 12 others occasions there.

Trainer Niall Madden said: "He was flying at home and I was hoping to run him on Monday at Limerick. He'd been working brilliantly and it's just a shame.

"He popped a few hurdles the other morning and had been working well but he suffered a heart attack. He was a star, winning on the Flat, over hurdles, fences and a point-to-point."

He added: "My wife Patricia bred him and he ran in Sarah's [daughter] colours. He was a part of the family. I don't know what made him so special but he was. People used to love him. Especially the lads in the pub who used to watch him on a Friday night, they'd always say, 'Sure we have to back the bucket'.

"He was a pure character and lived in the field all the time. He was a horse of a lifetime for me and I have so many good memories of him. We got a great kick out his last win, a chase at Limerick, where Niall rode him. They won in a canter. It won't be easy to find another one like him."

Mall Dini: winner of the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in 2016Credit: Patrick McCann

There was further sad news on Sunday after the death of former Cheltenham Festival winner Mall Dini, who suffered a fatal injury during routine work.

The Pat Kelly-trained gelding won the Pertemps Final under Davy Russell in 2016. He never won again but finished second in the Kim Muir at the 2018 festival and was placed in numerous other big races.

Owner Philip Reynolds said: "Unfortunately Mall Dini broke his hind leg in two places in a routine piece of work at Pat Kelly's yard. I feel the pain of Pat and his staff and he will be hugely missed by our family.

"Mall Dini was the first of what turned out to be three consecutive Cheltenham winners for us. We had looked forward to the time when we would have him home in retirement. It was a privilege to be associated with him."

New subscribers can get 3 months of Members' Club Ultimate subscription for just £10 with promo code 3FOR10. Get exclusive tipping, unlimited video replays, exclusive interviews and much more. For more information visit https://www.racingpost.com/landing/members-club-3-months-for-10-web/