Grade One-winning chaser Kalif Du Berlais was one of the Manchester United legend’s best horses and was trained in Ditcheat by 14-time champion of the sport Paul Nicholls
Sir Alex Ferguson has lost one of his best horses, Kalif Du Berlais, in an accident mid-race at Kempton Park.
The six-year-old gelding was favourite to win the Grade Two Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase and set out to make all of the running under Harry Cobden. However the thoroughbred, a top level winner at Aintree’s Grand National fences, made a mistake at the ninth fence of 16 and unseated his jockey.
Vets were quickly on the scene but sadly Kalif Du Berlais had suffered an injury which proved to be fatal. Another horse, Wertpol, passed away after falling at the final hurdle of the juvenile event on the card.
“We are deeply saddened to report the loss of Wertpol and Kalif Du Berlais,” a statement from ITV Racing said.
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“In both instances, the horses were immediately attended to by expert veterinary teams after sustaining injuries during their respective races but sadly could not be saved.
“Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with their connections during this difficult time.”
The incident left Paul Nicholls’ team devastated, as Kalif Du Berlais was one of the best to be stabled at the 14-time champion trainer’s yard in Ditcheat, Somerset. From only 11 races, the horse who Ferguson owned with friends including Ged Mason had won on six occasions, including the Grade One Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April.
Kalif Du Berlais had not competed at Kempton Park since his juvenile hurdling days, when his performance in the Adonis under Cobden confirmed him as a rising star of the sport.
The incident cast a shadow over the win for veteran Edwardstone, Alan King’s Arkle Novices’ Chase hero of 2022.
“He won well. Obviously there’s a tinge of sadness and condolences to connections of Kalif du Berlais but it was a proper race after that,” his rider Tom Cannon said.
“We got racing a long way out and he did it well.”
Followers of the sport left dozens of tributes to Kalif Du Berlais on social media, with one writing: “Heartbreaking news to hear that Kalif Du Berlais and Wertpol have sadly passed away two phenomenal horses who tragically leave the world doing what they love.”
Another said: “RIP Kalif Du Berlais. A talented young horse gone way too soon. Will always find the lows of NH racing hard to take.”
And a third person posted: “Our thoughts are with Paul Nicholls, Harry Cobden, the owners, stable staff, and everyone who cared for him. These are the days that remind us racing is about more than results and profit, it’s about the horses first and always.”
