Racing: Jaccka Justy struck down

After some tests, the gelding was transferred to Canterbury Equine Clinic for an ultrasound but the telling detail was to come. Photo / iStock

Jaccka Justy is gone, but he will never be forgotten.

The reigning Dominion champion and two-time horse of the year was struck down with a severe bout of colic on Thursday morning and was put down after the extent of his internal problems were realised.

A employee at David Mitchell's Rolleston stables went to feed Jaccka Justy on Thursday morning and saw the horse on the ground "which wasn't like him", trainer Jonny Cox said.

After some tests, the gelding was transferred to Canterbury Equine Clinic for an ultrasound but the telling detail was to come.

"It wasn't until they opened him up that it was a lot worse than they expected it to be," Cox said.

"The small intestine was twisted - there's about 60 foot [18m] of intestine in there and there was only four foot [1.2m] of it that was still alive." Cox was left with the difficult decision to make as Jaccka Justy's owners- breeders Charlie and Ailsa Smaill are on holiday in the United Kingdom.

"It was a hard call to make, but it was the right call," he said.

"The vets said it was the best thing to do for the horse, so you're always guided by the vets." The most frustrating aspect for Cox was the 9-year-old was in top shape. Cox was planning to take him to the workouts next week ahead of a start in the D G Jones Trotting Cup at Motukarara on September 27.