Racehorse trainer Richard Woollacott dies aged 40 just days before stable star Beer Goggles is due to run at Cheltenham
In a statement released on Tuesday morning a spokesman for Richard Woollacott Racing announced his death, just days before stable star Beer Goggles is due to run in the Cleeve Hurdle
RACEHORSE Trainer Richard Woollacott has died on Tuesday morning, aged 40, it has been announced.
Based at South Molton in Devon, Woollacott hit the headlines in December when Beer Goggles won the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.
A spokesman for Richard Woollacott Racing said in a statement to Press Association Sport: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard this morning.
"May we ask that you respect the family's privacy at this most difficult time."
Woollacott began training point-to-point horses in 2005, saddling over 130 winners, and he was also a keen rider, claiming over 100 victories.
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He was crowned champion point-to-point rider in Britain in 2010.
Woollacott then took out his trainers licence in June 2012, but his breakthrough moment came at last year's Grand National meeting as Lalor sprang a 33-1 shock in the Grade 2 bumper.
The current season had also started well for Woollacott, with Beer Goggles' Long Distance Hurdle success propelling him up the ante-post market for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
That horse holds an entry in the galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday, while Lalor is vying for favouritism in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on February 10.
Jockey Richard Johnson, who rode Beer Goggles to victory at Newbury led the tributes.
He said: "It's a massive shock to everyone. I was very lucky to have a couple of nice winners for him, but apart from that I knew him from his point-to-point days. I've known him a long time.
"He worked very hard and always did the job very well. He was a lovely fella to have around. He was always good fun and always had a smile on his face.
"It's very sad and our thoughts are with his young family. He didn't have many hurdlers, but he had two very nice ones.
"I think everyone is in shock. Hopefully everyone will give his family time to cope with it."
British Horseracing Authority chief executive Nick Rust pledged full support to the Woollacott yard.
He said in a statement: "We are all devastated to hear the news about Richard Woollacott. It is simply tragic to lose someone so young, and who had so much to offer both the racing world and, more importantly, his young family.
"We are in contact with Richard's family and are doing all we can to support them and assist with on-going arrangements with his yard. Most importantly though our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and indeed all the horses who Richard cared for in his all-too-short time as a trainer, and who will no doubt miss him greatly."