Paul Nicholls has paid tribute to Kalif Du Berlais after his rising star suffered a fatal injury in the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton.
The six-year-old was leading his three rivals in the Grade Two contest when landing awkwardly and unseating Harry Cobden at the eighth fence, sustaining a broken shoulder.
"It is hard on the whole team losing horses like that," Nicholls said.
"You are relying on nice horses like that to be good for the season. It is a big kick in the teeth for everybody, the owners, and the poor girl that looks after him. I hate seeing that sort of thing happen.
“The first day at Exeter this season, on that ground he was never going, but today he was travelling beautifully and doing everything within himself. He was just showing his bit of class today as he jumped brilliantly and was travelling well and felt good.
“I can say as much as I like, but it is a shame for the whole team. Harry was extremely upset. He was a big bold horse that attacked his fences. He was enthusiastic today and travelling beautifully.
“We'll never know where he would have ended up, but we had a lot of faith in him. These things happen sadly and you have to try and pick yourself up and move forward.
“These horses get the best of everything and it is sad when things like this happen. It is a big hard blow for us, but all we can do is go onwards and upwards and not look back.
“It was great that the vets were right on it. They say that he broke his shoulder. He has winged it and has probably halfway over it changed his mind and landed awkwardly on it.
“He had won a Grade One, and he had a big future I’ve no doubt about it, but sadly he will never be able to show the potential we thought he had.”
Kalif Du Berlais landed the Grade One Rosconn Group Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April and was part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson. He won six of his 11 starts under Rules, winning a total of £194,186 in prizemoney.
More from Sporting Life
- Free bets
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
