Kihavah, the bargain-buy described by his trainer Adrian Keatley as “the horse of a lifetime,” tragically suffered a fatal fall at Kelso on Sunday. The nine-year-old gelding, who won almost £400,000 in prize money, died after falling at the fifth flight of the Elliot Henderson Group Handicap Hurdle at the Scottish Borders track.
Tributes Pour In for Kihavah
North Yorkshire-based Keatley purchased Kihavah for just 8,500 guineas in 2021, after the horse had raced three times in Ireland for Ken Condon. The purchase proved inspired as Kihavah went on to win six times on the Flat, including the valuable Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh in April 2025, and three times over hurdles. His career earnings topped £287,000, though Keatley noted the total was nearly £400,000.
“It’s devastating news for the horse, the owners and the staff,” said Keatley. “We bought him for eight and a half thousand and he won nearly £400,000 in prize money. He won over jumps, he won on the Flat - he was a brilliant horse. Everyone is devastated. It’s a sad day for the owners and a sad day for the yard.”
A Star from a Small Stable
Keatley, originally from Kildare, is best known for springing a David-versus-Goliath shock when Jet Setting, a filly he bought from a Doncaster nursery, beat the Aidan O’Brien-trained Minding to win the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh a decade ago. However, it was Kihavah who became the star of his Ryedale stable.
In 2023, Jody Townend, sister of champion jockey Paul Townend, rode Kihavah to victory in the Queen Mother's Cup at York. She described him as an “absolute pleasure” to ride. PJ McDonald, who partnered Kihavah to win the Queen's Cup at Musselburgh in April 2025, called him a “legend.” That race proved to be Kihavah’s last success.
In total, Kihavah won nine of his 54 races – six on the Flat and three over hurdles – and finished second nine times and third six times. He amassed £388,000 in career prize money, dwarfing his 8,500 guineas purchase price. The horse world mourns the loss of this remarkable competitor.
