Trainer's heartbreaking tribute after loss of horse who was 'adored by everyone'

A heartbroken trainer has paid a touching tribute to a beloved horse who lost his life at the races at Thirsk on Saturday. Makanah was the winner of eight of his 59 races but sustained a fatal injury in the six furlong handicap at the North Yorkshire course.

The 10-year-old was loved by all the staff at the yard of Julie Camacho and was also such a popular horse among racegoers on the northern flat racing circuit. He accrued more than £159,000 in prize money for his owners who recently threw a birthday party for him at Julie’s stable in Norton, North Yorkshire.

Julie paid tribute on X after losing Makanah. She said: “We are devastated to lose Makanah today. Our stable stalwart of six years. He is adored by our team, his breeder and loyal owners, who recently threw him a birthday party, cake and all.

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“He loved his life, especially turnout and mints. He leaves a huge hole and will be missed by all.”

His owners, Axom Lxxi, picked him up for a bargain £30,000 from Shadwell in 2017 and the horse more than repaid that fee over the years. He made his debut at York in May 2017 but just seemed to get better with age.

He won twice in 2018 with his first win coming at Redcar in May that year. Two wins followed in 2019, at Musselburgh and Thirsk, and he peaked in terms of his official handicap rating in 2020 when he scored twice at Newmarket and Musselburgh again.

Makanah rarely ran a bad race and usually finished in the prize money. His last victory came at Redcar last August.