MILAN, the champion National Hunt sire of 2019/'20 died at Grange Stud in Co Cork on Wednesday. He was 24.

“Milan was a very good-natured horse and will be sadly missed by everyone here,” said Catherine Magnier. “He was a wonderful servant providing top-class horses, year in, year out.”

Bred by Luca and Sara Cumani at their Fittocks Stud, the son of Sadler's Wells was a 650,000gns yearling and was trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Carrying Michael Tabor's colours, he was a five-length winner of the 2001 St Leger.

His finest performers over the smaller obstacles included Champion Hurdle winner Jezki and Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle winner Darlan while his leading chasers included Santini, Monalee and Grand National winner One For Arthur.

His daughter Marie’s Rock won the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and made it back-to-back Grade 1 wins in the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown the following month.