Horse Racing

2024 Grand National Runner-up Delta Work Dies After Bout Of Colic

Andy Newton Sports Editor

Published20 Feb 2025

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The three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Delta Work has died after a bout of colic at the age of 12, with his trainer Gordon Elliott saying, “Everyone here is gutted by the news”.

2024 Grand National Runner-Up Delta Work Dies Aged 12 With Colic

The sad news hitting the Cheltenham Festival winner and last year’s Grand National runner-up DELTA WORK has died after a bout of colic.

Trained by Gordon Elliott, the 12 year-old was trading around 7/1 with the best horse racing betting sites for another tilt at the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival – a race he’s won twice in the past.

In addition to his two Cross Country successes, Delta Work also landed the 2018 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle and was 5th in the 2020 Gold Cup.

Grand National fans will also hold Delta Work close to their hearts after three runs in the race, and despite not winning the greatest steeplechase in the world – he finished third and second.

With his National silver coming in only last year’s (2024) race – beaten just 7 1/2 lengths to I Am Maximus (watch below).

Delta Work won 12 of this 40-career races and banked his Gigginstown House Stud owners just shy of a million in total prize money (£957,599).

He also won five Grade One Chases – that included the 2019 Savills Chase and 2020 Irish Gold Cup

Delta Work’s Trainer Gordon Elliott told the Racing Post

“Sadly, Delta Work died this morning as a result of colic. After showing signs of colic he was brought to Fethard Equine Hospital and was operated on but sadly there was nothing that could be done for him.

“Everyone here is gutted by this news. He was such a huge favourite of the yard, and he gave us so many memorable days over so many seasons. As a five-time Grade 1 winner and a triple Cheltenham Festival winner he was everything you could hope for in a racehorse.”

The trainer added: “It was an honour and privilege to train him for Michael and Anita O’Leary and we will be lucky to come across a horse of such class, versatility and longevity again.”

Delta Work Was Last Seen Running In The Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham In January

Delta Work’s last win came in the 2023 Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham and since then ran eight more times.

During that period his runner-up finish in the 2024 Grand National was his highlight. On what was his third appearance in the famous Aintree race.

He was last seen less than a month ago (25th Jan), when running fourth to L’Homme Presse in the Cotswold Chase (watch below).

Delta Work Career In Numbers

Age 12
Career Runs: 40
Career Wins: 12
Grade One Wins: 5
Cheltenham Cross Country Chase Wins: 2
Cheltenham Festival Runs: 5 (3 wins)
Grand National Runs: 3 (2 top three finishes)
Total Career Winnings: £957,599

Delta Work Aintree Grand National Record

2024 – 2nd (I Am Maximus) (watch below)
2023 – UR (Corach Rambler)
2022 – 3rd (Noble Yeats)

Delta Work Cheltenham Festival Record

2023 – 1st Cross Country Chase
2022 – 1st Cross Country Chase
2020 – 5th Cheltenham Gold Cup
2019 – 3rd RSA Novices’ Chase
2018 – 1st Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

WATCH: Delta Work Winning The 2023 Cross Country Chase

What Is Colic?

Colic in horses is described as abdominal pain, but this is a clinical symptom rather than an actual diagnosis.

The term colic can come in all forms of gastrointestinal conditions. Which will cause pain as well as other causes of abdominal pain not involving the gastrointestinal tract.

It can point to a problem with the gut itself, or other organs related to the abdomen.