A tribute to Thaki - gone too soon

I would be willing to bet a fair chunk of money that the reason almost all of our owners get into racing is purely because they love horses.

Simple as that.

Of course, actually going racing, socialising with friends old and new, meeting trainers and jockeys, celebrating a winner and having a bet also near the top of the list.

But really, we just do all love our horses. And Thaki was one horse we all really loved.

There was something special about this dark, handsome sprinter, who was surprisingly massive in a way that almost shocked you when you first met him.

I can remember popping my nose over his box during a visit to Katie’s warm and welcoming stables last summer and seeing him in person for the first time.

“Bloody hell, he’s a big lad, isn’t he?”

I remember taking a step back, despite being armed with a large Marks and Spencer carrot.

“Everyone says that,” Katie replied, “he is.”

But Thaki was a lovely lad and gladly chomped down on two, three, maybe even four of those Marks and Sparks delights from the hands of my then five and two year olds as we collectively glowed while recalling his recent victories at Hamilton and Ayr.

His surprising size reared its head again at Wolverhampton in November and once more in February when both Morgan Cole and Joanna Mason also confirmed that they were surprised at how big he was after riding him around Dunstall Park.

Fondly, Jo, who has a real way with words, came marching back in the winner’s enclosure after a mighty second place and said: “He’s a big lad but he handled that bend really well for one of his size. I loved that, he’s a gentleman.”

But it wasn’t just his size that would shock us. He also ran terrific races time and time again. Even if he ran below par one week, he would bounce back before you know it.

Never was this truer than the time he finished 11th of 12 runners at Newcastle only to bounce back at the same venue a fortnight later to finish second at 40/1, seen off little more than half a length.

In the 15 months we were blessed to own Thaki, he won three races and placed in the first four a further six times, while taking his owners racing on 22 occasions.

Sadly, it was on the 23rd visit to the track for us that tragedy struck at Ayr.

Entering the stalls, our handsome hero uncharacteristically got himself into trouble. He was withdrawn and Billy Loughnane was left with a bloodied lip.

He was trotted up and we prayed he was okay. That he would be ready to go again in a week or two.

A group of us watched on our phones from Dunstall Park. Pacing. Waiting for news as another of our horses ran.

Then it came. The message none of us ever wants to open.

Thaki had left us.

As racing fans we know the risks. We know tragedy could strike at any moment. At the track, in the stable, these glorious beasts, half a tonne in weight with relative pins for legs.

You almost make a deal with the gods. We are blessed to be close to these horses who give us so much love - and us in return to them. We get to live out moments of glory with them.

But we get it at the risk of the worst striking at any moment.

We always know what could happen. But nothing really prepares you for when it does.

An outpouring of grief from 200 Ursa Major owners. Dozens of messages pinging in Whatsapp groups, hundreds of notes of sympathy on social media.

Thaki was loved by so many. Owners, punters, breeders, tipsters, stable staff and racegoers all expressed their sadness.

Yet it is not us owners who feel the greatest pain. That - and our thoughts and love - are kept for Katie Scott and her magnificent, tight knit team in Galashiels, who love the animals in their care unconditionally.

You only have to be lucky enough to be in a Whatsapp group for one of Katie’s horses to know how much love each horse is given. We get pictures and videos almost daily recalling what they have been up to, what mood they are in and when their next run could be.

We think of Katie, her family and her staff who loved Thaki more than anyone.

And Thaki, we thank you for everything, big man.

Thaki had a career that saw him race 54 times, winning eight and earning just a shade under £50,000 prize money.

At his peak he was rated 72 and he won as far north as Ayr, as far south as Kempton and even in the MIdlands at Wolverhampton.

He was trained by Luke McJannet, Chris Dwyer, Jessica Macey and Katie Scott.

Silvestre De Sousa, Thore Hammer Hansen, Billy Garritty, Ryan Sexton, Joe Fanning, Phil Dennis and Sam James all won races riding him.

Thaki: 21/04/17 - 08/07/24