LEGENDARY racehorse Sire De Grugy has sadly died aged 17.
The multiple Grade 1-winning champion, trained by Gary Moore, won the Champion Chase, Tingle Creek and Desert Orchid in his famed career.
A true superstar of the sport and adored by fans, his passing was announced during ITV's coverage of the York Ebor Festival.
Social media was awash with posts from heartbroken punters remembering their beloved horse.
One said: "Rest in peace. Horse of a lifetime.
"I never knew a horse could bring a family such amazing memories and some of the best days of our lives."
Another wrote: "Fabulous racehorse, thanks for the memories."
While another post read: "What a horse. A sad day for the sport."
An eye-catching chestnut with a big white blaze down his face, Sire De Grugy always stood out in the ring.
But he displayed a real tenacity and heart on the track that made him a favourite of punters.
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He won four Grade 1s in a row from the end of 2013 into 2014.
In a remarkable run of victories he won the Tingle Creek, the Grade 2 Desert Orchid, Clarence House, Champion Chase and Celebration Chase.
He would defend his Tingle Creek crown the following year, 2015, but would not record another win until an Ascot handicap in November 2016.
That was to prove his final victory before retiring 13 months later.
A winner of 17 of his 42 races under rules, Sire De Grugy won £885,446 on the track – and secured a place in fans' hearts.
The wave of comments remembering such a special horse flooded social media.
One said: "So very sad. He'll always be remembered with love and affection. Condolences to all connections."
Another comment read: "Rest in peace beautiful."
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One post read: "Fabulous racehorse, thanks for the memories Sire De Grugy, rest in peace."
And another wrote: "Really sad news. One of my favourites of the jumps game. RIP old boy."
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