'I'll always owe him a lot' - Muscutt shocked by Fanciful Angel's freak death

Daniel Muscutt on Tuesday paid tribute to Fanciful Angel following the news that the horse who had given him his biggest moment in the saddle had died in a freak stalls accident.

Muscutt had a close association with the globetrotting Fanciful Angel for much of his career and was aboard the five-year-old when he outran his odds of 73-1 in the Grade 1 Arlington Million in August, going down by half a length to Beach Patrol.

Following that final run for Marco Botti, Fanciful Angel remained in the US with Chad Brown and again finished runner-up to Beach Patrol in Grade 1 company in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park.

But on Sunday bloodstock agent Bradley Weisbord tweeted: "Sad to report we lost Fanciful Angel yesterday in a freak stall accident at Palm Meadows. Very sad for all his connections including previous owners g."

Remembering Fanciful Angel, Muscutt said: "It came as a bit of a shock. The old owners called me on Sunday afternoon and I'd always said that when he retired he'd have had a home at my mum's place.

"He definitely has a soft spot in my heart. It was a bit of a punt taking him to Arlington in the first place and I was just thrilled they stayed loyal to me and kept me on the horse."

Muscutt enjoyed international success aboard Fanciful Angel at Meydan in January. Recalling that success he added: "That was quite an important win for me as it put me in the spotlight having lost my claim a few months beforehand. You need horses to like that to put you on the map as a young rider. I had a lot to do with him from day one so I'll always owe him a lot."

Fanciful Angel outruns odds to finish runner-up at Arlington