Winner of three Graded events as a novice hurdler for trainer Philip Hobbs, Thyme Hill made a successful transition to open company when taking the Grade 2 Long Walk Hurdle in 2020.

He added a victory at the top level in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in April 2021 and continued to race at the highest standard in staying hurdle races until making the transition to fences in November 2022.

He took the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day but failed to be competitive in three subsequent runs during 2023, over both hurdles and fences. 

"It's very sad for the whole yard," said Johnson White, who has been added to Hobbs' license as co-trainer.

"He's been phenomenal for some lovely owners and has taken them on a fantastic journey. We've been very lucky to have him.

"His run at Wetherby was OK the other day and he would have gone to Newbury on December 1. He was just doing a routine piece of work this morning and what happened happened, sadly.

"I feel very sorry for the whole yard as he's been our flagbearer for a number of years now. Hopefully we have some nice young horses to reach his heights, but they take some replacing."