Racehorse and football team owner killed in chopper crash

– Racing personality and owner of Leicester City Football Club, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, died when his helicopter crashed in flames in the car park of his team’s stadium on Saturday.

The disaster happened after Leicester City’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United and just hours after the Thai tycoon’s horse Morando (8-1) had won a Grade 3 race at Newbury racecourse – deadheating with even-money favourite

London

Young Rascal, who is owned by South African Bernard Kantor.

The helicopter landed on the stadium pitch after the match to pick up VIP spectators, taking off again about an hour after the final whistle. Witnesses said the chopper cleared the grandstands before spiralling out of control and crashing.

Police officers raced to try to open the chopper’s doors and windows but a fire started, leading to an explosion.

It was not known who else was aboard or whether anyone on the ground had been killed or injured.

Srivaddhanaprabha, reported to be worth around £2 billion, has become an increasingly influential and high-profile racehorse owner in recent years – racing under the banner of King Power Racing, named after the duty-free shopping empire through which he made his fortune.

The owner's blue and white silks have become familiar on British racecourses since 2017, with multiple Group 2-winner Beat The Bank being his best-performed runner.

Andrew Balding trains most of the King Power Racing horses, saddling 27 winners from 166 runners, so far. Richard Hannon and Ralph Beckett are among other trainers who have handled horses for him and his family.

Srivaddhanaprabha purchased Leicester City in 2010 and helped propel the team from lower league status to shock 5,000-1 winners of the 2015-16 Premier League, a feat widely regarded as one of the greatest sporting underdog achievements.

Srivaddhanaprabha was an accomplished polo player and participated in tournaments with members of the British royal family. –