Jockey Nico de Boinville has paid tribute to Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Mark Bloodstock, who passed away at the age of 66 after a long illness.
De Boinville piloted Coney Gree, trained by Bloodstock and his wife Sarah, to victory in the 2015 race. Connie Gray became the first novice winner of this race in over 40 years.
“I am very grateful to all of them. They have contributed to my progress,” de Boinville said. “Mark will be greatly missed.»
Oxfordshire-based Bloodstock also won the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup with Carruthers and the 2018 Bet365 Gold Cup with Stepback.
His latest runner, Mr Vango, won the national championships in Devon last week and could qualify for the national championships in Cheltenham later this month. Former ews , who rode Carruthers to Hennessey’s victory and guided Connie Gray to two Group 2 wins over hurdles, wrote: We had a great time, and most importantly, we laughed a lot. ”
Bradstock competed as an amateur but was more successful as a trainer, first as assistant to Fulk Walwyn at Lambourn, then on his own. Coach Kim Bailey visited a friend Thursday.
“Poor Mark looked so frail that we weren’t sure if he recognized us, but Sarah brought the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to us on the lawn for him to see. When I brought him upstairs, he had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face. I’ll take a look. ‘Forget it,’ he said.
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