Champion Queensland galloper Chief de Beers has been laid to rest at age 28 at Living Legends in Victoria.
“Chief was only small in stature but he was big on attitude and spark and kept us laughing right until the end,” Living Legends CEO & Veterinary Director, Dr Andrew Clarke said in a statement.
“He will be sorely missed at Living Legends and his unique achievements as a champion both on and off the track will be his lasting legacy.”
After retiring from the racetrack, Chief De Beers served as a police horse in Queensland and was awarded the prestigious Blue Cross Medal for his service to community between 1999 and his retirement in 2012.
The Blue Cross Medal is awarded by the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) in conjunction with the Blue Cross Fund (UK).
A rare and prestigious honour dates back to the 1900s and is bestowed upon animals in service to acknowledge their loyalty serving alongside their human comrades.
Chief de Beers won 20 of his 51 starts earning almost $1.6 million in prizemoney. He will be cremated and laid to rest in the memorial garden at Living Legends alongside past champions including Might And Power, Better Loosen Up and Doriemus.
