PUNTERS have been left devastated following the death of superstar chaser Cyrname.
The Paul Nicholls-trained winning machine was a Grade 1 champion at his peak and was famed for ending Altior's world-record 19-race winning streak.
In a titanic duel at Ascot in November 2019, the Johnny de la Hey-owned gelding saw off Nicky Henderson's stable star by two lengths to end a run that dominated racing.
A tweet from At The Races confirmed Cyrname, who was last seen being pulled up at Wetherby in October 2021, had died this morning.
One punter said: "Wow that is so heartbreaking. Sincere condelences to all."
Another wrote: "Will never forget him beating the mighty Altior’s streak. Thoughts are with his connections."
While a fellow fan left a message saying: "Tragic news. Thoughts are with connections."
Cyrname won eight of his 23 races and amassed earnings of more than £350,000.
During a golden spell in the winter of 2019 he won the bet365 Handicap Chase at Ascot by 21 lengths at 4-1 under Harry Cobden in January.
He then waltzed to a 17-length win in the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase the following month.
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Cyrname had wind surgery during a 280-day break from the track following that and returned to beat Altior in a thriller, seeing his rating rise to 177.
It wasn't to be upped to three miles when he finished a distant second to Clan Des Obeaux in the King George that year.
And he fell when beaten defending his Betfair Chase crown in February 2020.
A further 259 days off the track saw him return to win the Charlie Hall on Halloween of that year but he raced only twice more, being pulled up both times.
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