Colic kills Hoh Magic

Hoh Magic, the top-rated two-year-old filly in the European Classifications of 1994, has died from a colic-related illness. The daughter of Cadeaux Genereux, trained throughout her career by Michael Bell, had only recently been retired to the paddocks.

She was covered a month ago by last year's unbeaten Derby and Arc de Triomphe hero Lammtarra and tested positive in foal only the day before her death.

Bell said yesterday: "She was a great racehorse, our first Group One winner and a pleasure to train in every way. She was retired six weeks ago and was covered by Lammtarra two weeks later. Her first test proved positive. She looked marvellous when I last saw her but unfortunately she contracted a colic-related illness which sadly proved fatal."

Hoh Magic gained her Group One success in the 1994 Prix Morny at Deauville. The chestnut filly received a rating of 117 in that year's International Classifications - 13lb behind the top-rated Celtic Swing.

Simon Weinstock, obituary, page 12