WICKLOW Brave sadly lost his life when falling in the American Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills on Saturday evening.

The remarkable Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old was on the verge of adding another notable win to his record when he fell at the last with the race at his mercy.

Nicky Henderson’s Brain Power went on to land the spoils.

A winner of 17 of his 59 races, and more than £940,000 in prize money, he won the Irish St Leger under Frankie Dettori in 2016, the 2015 County Hurdle and the 2017 Punchestown Champion Hurdle in a remarkable career.

A statement posted on the Far Hills Twitter account read: “Wicklow Brave fell at the last fence of the Grand National. NJ State Veterinarian Dr. Stacey Romano reported that he sustained a fractured right shoulder and was transported to the stable area, where he was euthanized.”

Far Hills race meeting chairman Guy Torsilieri said: “We are sad to have lost such a champion today. Our thoughts are with Wicklow Brave’s owners and all of their connections, the racing community and the fans. It was heartbreaking for all of us.”

Tribute

Willie Mullins paid tribute to his popular star, tweeting: “I would like to pay tribute to Wicklow Brave, who was a real legend in our yard. A career like his will probably never be replicated, going from bumpers to hurdles, back to the flat and then chasing.

“His best day was winning the Irish St Leger. However, winning the Punchestown Champion Hurdle with (son) Patrick on board to put us ahead in that memorable trainers’ title battle will be remembered around here for a long time.

“He will be missed by Wicklow Bloodstock’s Nick Peacock, Jason Dear – who rode him every day and looked after his every need – and all at Closutton.”

Jockey Paul Townend, who escaped injury in the fall at Far Hills, admits Wicklow Brave is a significant loss for the Mullins team.

He teamed up with the Beat Hollow gelding on 16 occasions, including when winning the 2015 County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Townend also enjoyed a memorable spin on the level with Wicklow Brave, finishing third in the 2015 Irish St Leger in what the rider described as a “standout moment” in his career.

He said: “Wicklow Brave was an unbelievable horse, and it looked like we were going to have great day, but it put a real dampener on the trip.

“It is a tight track, and the ground is so quick underneath. The soil on the top was starting to shift a little bit, which wasn’t ideal.

“It is a tight bend (before the last) – but once I got him balanced again, he was starting to open up again. I thought I’d have won – and he is a big, big loss.