HIGHLY-RATED horse I Like To Move It died on his chasing debut, leaving his owners devastated.
The former Greatwood Hurdle winner suffered a fatal injury after the final fence at Uttoexeter on Sunday.
GettyHighly-rated I Like To Move tragically died on his chasing debut aged six years old[/caption]
I Like To Move It was just six years old.
He won a total of seven races throughout a glittering career, including three at Cheltenham.
The fan-favourite also stormed to victory at the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton in February, winning by 17 lengths.
But he has run his last race after tragically passing away on Sunday.
I Like To Move It was owned by Anne-Marie and Jamie Shepperd.
The pair signed him up after an impressive showing at Aintree in 2020.
I Like To Move It raked in £211,754 in prize money from 16 starts after being trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by son Sam.
And Shepperd paid an emotional tribute, saying: “He was such a great horse.
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“He’ll be sadly missed. He really did take us on a journey and it’s just so strange to think we won’t see him again.
“He was just very chilled out. Even today, he was so relaxed. He was really easy for Nigel to work with and train.
“He didn’t expend any energy that he didn’t have to before a race. He was a gentleman, a real kind horse.
“The whole yard is devastated. Sam was in pieces, as were Nigel and Willy (Twiston-Davies). It’s very sad.”
Tributes also poured in on social media.
One fan said: “Enjoy the tall sweet grass in heaven ‘I Like To Move It’. Deep condolences to all your connections.”
Another declared: “So so so sad RIP.”
One noted: “Rest in peace, a very sad day.”
Another added: “RIP big fella.”