Facile Vega, a Cheltenham Festival winner and successful in four Grade 1 races, has been put down following a freak accident.

The seven-year-old gelding reportedly fractured his pelvis when kicking a wall with both hind legs.

Owned by Sean Deane and Ger O'Brien of the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate, Facile Vega was the second foal of six-time Cheltenham winner Quevega. Trained by Willie Mullins, he upheld family tradition by winning the Cheltenham festival Bumper in 2022 and then followed up in the equivalent race at the Punchestown Festival.

Facile Vega was also a Grade 1 winner over hurdles, winning at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival in 2022, before finishing second to Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2023.

Over fences last season, Facile Vega made a winning debut at Navan in November but he was slightly disappointing afterwards in three Grade 1 events.