A HEREFORDSHIRE bred horse that became one of the greatest mares in jump racing history has died, aged 30.

Flakey Dove, who was owned by Stoke Prior-based Tom and Mary Price, will forever be remembered for winning the Champion Hurdle in 1994.

It even led to the Price's being presented with a framed painting of the horse by top equestrian artist Alex Charles-Jones at the Courage Racehorse Owners' Awards following Flakey Dove's excellent win.

The popular performer, trained by Richard Price at the family farm in Eaton Hall, earned nearly £250,000 during her career.

Her first notable win coming under Dai Tegg in the mare's hurdle series final at Newbury in 1991.

The following year, Flakey Dove won at Aintree's Grand National meeting before finishing seventh to Granville Again in the 1993 Champion Hurdle.

But, in 1994, she reached new heights over a two-month period.

A 20-length success under Richard Dunwoody in Haydock's Champion Hurdle Trial was followed by a seven-length victory in the Cleeve Hurdle.

Another win followed at Newbury before claiming the Champion Hurdle prize.

Ridden by Mark Dwyer, the mare started as 9/1 third favourite, behind Oh So Risky and Large Action.

The field also included previous champions Granville Again and Morley Street,

But approaching the final hurdle, Flakey Dove overtook the leader, Large Action, and win by one-and-a-half lengths from Oh So Risky.

She became the first mare to win the race since Dawn Run 10 years previously and the first British-trained mare to win since African sister in 1939.