Robbie Colgan: Lady Kaya always wanted to please, she was really kind and gentle

An awesome filly whose ability was only outshone by her personality – that is the way Robbie Colgan will remember Lady Kaya who tragically died on Tuesday, just a week before she was due to clash with Ten Sovereigns and the top three-year-old sprinters in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Colgan knew Lady Kaya better than anyone. He was in the saddle for all seven of her races and said this month he would probably be mucking out stables by now were it not for the speedy filly who only found Hermosa too good in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month.

Robbie Colgan: has his ban increased from five days to eightCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"She was an awesome filly and unbelievable for my career. She got my Flat career going. She got my name out there straight away and I owe her so much.

"She had such a lovely personality too. She was really kind and gentle. She was willing to do everything you asked her and always wanted to please. There wasn't a bad bone in her body. She was a star in every way."

Colgan added: "The way she travelled through a race was just incredible. She was such a good traveller that you could just sit there and let her do her thing. She was such an easy ride.

"I am not long riding on the Flat and it's a completely different experience to riding over jumps. The day she beat Pink Dogwood by ten lengths in a maiden at the Curragh was something I had never experienced before.

"I was watching every furlong go by. Three to go. Two to go. One to go. I couldn't believe how far clear we were. And, Pink Dogwood didn't turn out to be too bad, did she?"

Lady Kaya (purple silks) chases home Hermosa in the 1,000 GuineasCredit: Mark Cranham

The rider spotted the talent in Lady Kaya very early and can vividly remember her first proper gallop up the Old Vic at the Curragh.

"I will never forget her first swinging canter up the Old Vic. She did it so easily. It was effortless. I knew straight away that we were on to something. I know she was 33-1 for her first run at the Curragh but I knew she would run very well. If she didn't win, I thought she would go very close."

Colgan added: "I just couldn't believe what happened on Tuesday. The minute I hopped off her I knew it was over. It was hard to take."

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