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Arctic Desert being led by his lass, Verity
One of Gay's favourite horses, the 8yo bay gelding, Arctic Desert sadly died at Kempton on Wednesday night 30th July 2008.
A tragic accident in the 9pm race involving a total of 4 horses, resulted in Arctic Desert suffering some life threatening injuries. Despite the best efforts of the top vet Simon Knapp, he sadly couldn't be saved. Tragically, another horse also lost it's life in the same incident and two jockeys taken to hospital.
The loss of any racehorse is extremely sad. Gay hasn't lost a racehorse for over 6 years. This particular horse was particulary special to Gay as she rode him out most mornings. He will be missed by everyone at the yard.
Gay and all the connections of Arctic Desert would like to thank everyone for all their kind messages, texts and phone calls.
Arctic Desert gave his connections some wonderful memories and some great days out, his last win was at Sandown on the 17th July 2008. Arctic Desert was a very brave horse who gave one jockey, Hayley Turner five wins and winning in excess of £50,000 in prize money during his career on the racetrack. He was ridden by various jockeys during his career including Martin Dwyer, Frankie Detorri, Richard Hughes, Kieran Fallon, Kevin Darley, Johnny Murtagh, Jamie Spencer and Eddie Ahern.
He appeared 83 times on the racecourse winning 9 times and being placed on another 19 occasions.
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Memorial plate donated by the connections of Arctic Desert by Jacquline Jones
As promised, Kempton racecourse where tragically Arctic Desert lost his life back in July put on a race in his memory.
As always, Gay made sure everyone was looked after and dashing between looking after her horses and making sure connections were looked after.
Race details:
KEMPTON (A.W)17 September 2008
Standard
My Result Result
8:50 Arctic Desert Memorial Handicap (Class 4) (3yo,0-85) 1m
The race was won by the William Haggas trainer horse, Priti Fabulous ridden by Jamie Spencer.
In the absence of the trainer and the owner, the presentation was made to Susan Piggott.
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Gay and Susan Piggott
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Courtesy of The Racing Post:
William Haggas was one of the missing many, which meant he was not here to see Priti Fabulous collect under Jamie Spencer in the 1m handicap sponsored by Gay Kelleway in memory of her former hack Arctic Desert, who lost his life at Kempton earlier in the year.
With Haggas missing, mother-in-law Susan Piggott represented the stable, as she had at Sandown earlier in the afternoon.
"She's a lovely filly and so genuine," said Piggott, who found herself with time to spare after arriving at Kempton and duly made the most of it. She had, in her own words, "a kip in the car park".
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