Staff of the Greatwood racehorse charity said a teary goodbye to former Aintree star Spirit Son, who had to be put down at the age of eight yesterday.

The winner of the 2011 John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle came to the charity, based at Rainscombe Hill Farm, Clench Common, near Marlborough, in November 2012 after recovering from a life-threatening illness.

After missing the Cheltenham Festival in 2012 due to a tendon problem, Spirit Son, training with Nicky Henderson, was recovering at Charlie and Tracy Vigors’ Hillwood Stud near Marlborough, when he was found on the floor of his box unable to get to his feet.

Tests showed he had a rare virus that attacks the neurological system but which can remain dormant.

A scan later revealed a neck fracture, which was operated on, but led to Spirit Son’s retirement.

Greatwood uses ex-racehorses to educate children and young adults with special educational needs and it was hoped that Spirit Son would be used for that but his condition deteriorated over the summer.

After two vets assessed him it was decided that he would be put down yesterday.

Helen Yeadon, Greatwood’s co-founder, said: “We are all very sad. I suppose we had prepared ourselves because he has been unstable over the summer but everybody is really upset because we all loved him so much.

“He had settled in so well and it’s a shame we didn’t get longer with him.

“We would have liked to have been able to introduce him to the children because he was such a well-mannered horse and we have all enjoyed having him here.

“I hope that we helped him to have a happy retirement and I know that he enjoyed being here.”

Sasha Thorbek-Hooper, fundraising and marketing manager for the charity, said: “It has been really upsetting for the team, especially as he was such a gentle soul.”

There is a plaque bearing Spirit Son’s credentials at Greatwood and a brick will be added to their path of remembrance in his memory.