Horse trust mourns equine ambassador ‘Moscow Flyer’

THE Irish Horse Welfare Trust was among those to lament the death of champion racehorse Moscow Flyer last week.

The 22 year-old passed away at the Irish National Stud on Friday, a decade after his retirement from racing. Owned by Brian Kearney and trained by Jessica Harrington, Moscow Flyer was most frequently paired with jockey Barry Geraghty after he switched to chasing from hurdles. Recognised as one of the greatest chasers in Irish racing history, he had clocked up 26 wins on the track before his retirement.

Described as the ‘ horse of a lifetime’ by Geraghty, Cheltenham winner Moscow Flyer was also well known as an equine ambassador for the Woodenbridge-based Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT) and often made appearances at charity and promotional events for the organisation.

‘Whilst we all loved him dearly we felt that it was best for him to to be able to live out his days at the National Stud where more people would get to see him and where he would be living in luxury,’ said Sharon Power from the trust.

‘We were all very saddened when the national stud contacted us to say he had passed away.

‘He was with the IHWT for almost ten years and helped the charity to promote what an ex-racehorse is capable of along with helping to highlight the work of the charity.

‘He was a very special horse with a huge presence and personality and he will remain always in our hearts and memory,’ she said.