SHANE Sweetnam’s 11-year-old gelding Main Road has sadly passed away unexpectedly in his stable at a horse show in Wellington, Florida.

Announcing the news on his Facebook page, Sweetnam said: “ I am devastated to have to share the bad news that Main Road passed away unexpectedly this evening in his stall at the show. He was the little horse with a big heart and a bigger personality. He was a fighter, a winner and a star.

“Mister will be greatly missed by all, especially by his beloved grooms Seamus and Maria, myself and Ali, and his amazing co-owners (Mister's "mom") Kathryn and John Gilbertson. We are all shocked, numb, and just incredibly sad. Rest easy, Mister. Keep kicking up your heels in horsey heaven.”

Owned by Sweetnam’s Sweet Oak Farm and Seabrook LLC since 2015, the talented chesnut gelding won and placed in classes all over the world. They were part of the Irish team that finished runners-ups the 2018 Aga Khan Nations Cup, and won a three-star Grand Prix at the Tryon International Equestrian Centre last June.