Popular grey mare Ma Filleule dies aged 12 following colic complications

Ma Filleule, winner of the 2014 Topham Chase at the Grand National meeting, has died aged 12 following complications with colic surgery.

The former Nicky Henderson-trained grey mare was equally as talented over hurdles and fences, securing victories in the 2013 Grade 2 Warwick Mares' Hurdle and Listed betdaq Mares' Chase at Doncaster in 2015 alongside her Aintree triumph.

Following the conclusion of her racing career, Ma Filleule was sold to owner-breeder Dominic Burke for €220,000 and had been boarding at Goldford Stud in Cheshire.

The winner Ma Filleule (right) jumps the Canal Turn in Aintree's Topham Chase in 2014Credit: Edward Whitaker

Writing on Twitter on Thursday, stud owner Sally Aston said: "We are sorry to say that we lost Ma Filleule yesterday after complications from colic surgery.

"We're absolutely devastated for her owner Dominic Burke and all those connected with her previously. She was an outstanding racemare and the most beautiful-looking mare one could imagine."

Watch Ma Filleule win the Topham

Having started her career in France, Ma Filleule was purchased to run in the double green colours of leading owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede in 2012 and switched to Nicky Henderson, for whom she also twice finished second in Grade 1s behind Balder Succes in the 2015 Ascot Chase and Uxizandre in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival the same year.

Munir wrote on Twitter: "Ma Filleule was a legend, always ran her heart out and gave her all for the double green. She was a very special, kind horse. Heartfelt condolences to Dominic Burke and all at Goldford Stud."

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