Grade 1 star Airlie Beach and son Accidental tragically die just days apart

Airlie Beach, a Grade 1-winning mare over hurdles for Willie Mullins and the Supreme Horse Racing Club, has died at the age of nine.

In a cruel twist of fate, her son Accidental, who was conceived when Airlie Beach had an unplanned liaison when in a paddock with a horse thought to be a gelding, suffered a fatal injury in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan on Monday.

Airlie Beach was staying at National Hunt breeder Rowland Crellin's farm in Wales.

Speaking on Friday, Crellin said: "Airlie Beach was covered by Kayf Tara three days ago. When we brought her in from the paddock on Wednesday she was poorly and we took her to the veterinary hospital at Bristol University.

Airlie Beach and Danny Mullins win the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann

"She has a foal by Walk In The Park for whom we’ve had to get a foster mare. What has happened is unbelievable and it's very sad to have lost her."

Airlie Beach, a daughter of Shantou, was bred by Mullins' wife Jackie. She was covered accidentally during the spring of her two-year-old season but achieved remarkable success when making it to the racecourse.

She won nine races, six of them over hurdles, and achieved her biggest success when landing the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December 2016.

She also won a bumper and two of three starts on the Flat, finishing her career with victory in the Listed Oyster Stakes at Galway in September 2017.

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