Former Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner Cousin Vinny has died at the age of 20.
Trained by Willie Mullins, the gelding provided the Carlow handler's son Patrick with his first Cheltenham Festival winner in 2008 when landing the 2 miles and ½ furlong contest.
In total, Cousin Vinny won seven of his 16 racecourse starts, which included victories in a Punchestown Grade 1 bumper, two novice hurdles, as well as two hurdle wins in open company at Fairyhouse's Easter meeting and at Punchestown.
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Sent off the 9/4 favourite for the 2009 renewal of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, he finished fifth behind the Noel Meade-trained Go Native and was eighth behind Big Buck's in the World Hurdle one year later.
He also finished third behind the great Hurricane Fly, who was also trained by Mullins, in the 2008 edition of the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse.
Paying tribute to Cousin Vinny, the champion trainer wrote on Twitter: "Sadly Cousin Vinny passed away today. He gave us all many special days especially @punchestownrace and @CheltenhamRaces.
"Many thanks to Gillian Corcoran who looked after him so well in retirement. He won’t be forgotten around Closutton."
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