Peter Monteith found dead in his home
Sixty-one-year-old Peter Monteith was found dead in his home in Rosewell, Midlothian on Sunday night. The local police received an emergency call to the trainer’s yard on Sunday night. Racing Post has
reported that the police have called it a suicide.
“Lothian and Borders Police and ambulance personnel attended at an address in Rosewell, Midlothian on Sunday evening in response to an emergency call,” said a police spokesman to the media. “A 61-year-old
man was conveyed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.”
Monteith was one of Scotland’s top jump trainers. He saddled three horses at Kelso on the day of his death. The final run by a Peter Monteith-trained horse during the trainer’s lifetime was at the Three
Diamonds Handicap Hurdle, where Raysrock was the runner-up, finishing one length behind Doeslessthanme.
“Whilst enquiries are at an early stage, there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances at this time and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in respect of the circumstances,”
continued the police spokesman.
David Johnson, owner of several Monteith-trained horses, led a tribute to the trainer on Monday in what he described as “a huge loss to racing.” Marcel, Abragante and Standin Obligation were moved to Monteith
by Johnson in an effort to rebuild their form.
“Having heard the devastating news, myself and my family, were greatly shocked and saddened as Peter was a thorough gentleman at all times and this is tragic for all concerned,” said Johnson. “His untimely
death will be a huge loss for Scottish racing and racing as a whole as well as for myself.”
Former jump jockey Mick Fitzgerald, speaking on At The Races, echoed Johnson’s sentiment. “The word gentleman is the one that springs to mind. He was a stalwart of Scottish racing and our thoughts are
with his family.”
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