Shock death of La Landiere

Top jumping mare La Landiere has died at stud, just weeks after being retired to the paddocks.

The Richard Philips-trained nine-year-old won 10 races in her career, including seven on the bounce in a tremendous 2002/3 campaign which culminated in victory in the Cathcart at the Cheltenham Festival.

Also a Racing Post Chase winner, La Landiere had been in foal to Classic Cliché at Wood Farm Stud in Shropshire.

Philips, speaking in the Daily Star Sunday, said: “She did a great deal to raise my profile and was the flagship for the stable.

“She was always there when we needed her – a real revelation once she was used to jumping fences.”