A WEEK after leading the funeral procession of Somerset-based jockey Keagan Kirkby’s funeral, racehorse Highland Hunter passed away at the Cheltenham Festival.

The 11-year-old horse was pulled up in the Ultima Handicap Chase by Paddy Brennan and sadly, could not be saved, course chiefs said.

“Highland Hunter was immediately attended to by vets on course after the race, but sadly sustained a fatal injury,” a Cheltenham spokesperson said.

“Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”

The horse walked in front of the hearse at the funeral of 25-year-old Keagan, who died after a riding incident in a point-to-point at Charing last month.

Highland Hunter is believed to have been Keagan’s favourite horse, after he worked with him at trainer Paul Nicholls’ yard at Ditcheat, before switching trainers, to Fergal O’Brien.

READ MORE: Somerset-based jockey Keagan Kirkby killed in point-to-point incident

He was described as Kirkby’s favourite horse and had previously been trained by his boss Paul Nicholls, before switching to O’Brien last year.

After the death was confirmed, O’Brien said on X (formerly Twitter) the team was “absolutely devastated”.

“Thanks for the messages we’re already receiving and those to come,” he added.

Highland Hunter won seven of his 22 races, including the London National in 2021, when trained by Nicholls. He was also runner-up in the Welsh Grand National that year.

Also on Tuesday, the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, Ose Partir was put down after suffering a fractured leg.