A local stable is trying to come to terms with the loss of one of its star performers, who has lost his life in the autumn of his racing career.

Bobby Grant, trained by Peter Beaumont at Brandsby, was fatally injured on his comeback outing at Haydock last Saturday on what was to be his final season of racing before he was retired.

By a tragic irony, it was also at Haydock, less than three years ago, that Beaumont lost another of his high-profile performers, Scottish Grand National winner, Young Kenny, in similar circumstances.

While Young Kenny severely injured a hind fetlock, Bobby Grant shattered a front cannon bone and had to be quickly put down by the racecourse vet.

"It always seems to be the good ones that go," said Beaumont. "It's very sad. He was a special horse, one of the favourites in the yard, and everyone is upset."

Bobby Grant, a 12-year-old son of Gunner B, won eight of his 29 races and more than £132,000 in prize money. By a bizarre coincidence, Haydock not only brought about his tragic demise, but was also his favourite course.

He won three times on the Lancashire track and was also the first dual-winner of Haydock's prestigious Tommy Whittle Chase, a race in which he also finished runner-up, to Sackville 12 months ago.

Updated: 11:15 Wednesday, December 03, 2003