Moscow Flyer dies at the age of 22

Popular Irish steeplechaser Moscow Flyer has been put down at the age of 22.

The gelding won more than £1.1m in prizemoney during his illustrious career. Highlights included wins in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2003 and 2005, and the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in 2003 and 2004.

The prolific two-miler was ridden by Barry Geraghty for most of his career, and trained by Jessica Harrington.

“So sad to announce the passing of Moscow Flyer (22). He was a total legend and a horse of a lifetime. Thank you for all the memories,” wrote Harrington on Twitter this morning.

Moscow Flyer was retired from racing in 2006 and went on to do some showing classes, competing in the Racehorse to Riding Horse class at Dublin Horse Show several times.

He spent the past four years at the Irish National Stud as part of their Living Legends Team of horses.