Racing pays tribute to Kauto Star

Racing figures pay tribute to Kauto Star after the two-time Gold Cup winner was put down at the age of 15.

Kauto Star was a horse whose appeal stretched far beyond the National Hunt sphere he bestrode with such greatness and longevity.

A winner of 16 Grade 1 races in a career which was remarkable for both its consistency and ability to quicken the pulse, Kauto Star was the first horse to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Owned by Clive Smith and trained by Paul Nicholls, the son of Village Star won a Grade 1 race in seven consecutive seasons before being retired in 2012.

But, after suffering neck and pelvis injuries in a freak paddock accident, Kauto Star has had to be put down. Here, leading figures from the world of racing pay tribute.

Owner Clive Smith said: “He's been a fantastic horse and when you think back about how brave he was, he had the heart of a lion. He was so brave, he had everything really. He was the complete racehorse. I have so many great memories, after all he won 16 Grade One chases. He was an absolutely incredible horse with a lot of speed, winning over two miles in Tingle Creeks, then right up to the Gold Cups, which he needed a lot of stamina for.”

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: “I've been very lucky to have trained some incredible horses, but I've always said he's once in a lifetime. To be able to win from two miles, to two-and-a-half and three miles plus, he was awesome. Even after he was written off, to come back and win his fourth Betfair Chase and a fifth King George said everything about him. He was just an amazing horse.”

Regular rider Ruby Walsh said: “Kauto Star was a superstar and it's a real shame that his life off the track has been cut short. He was a wonderful horse to ride and he gave me some of the best days I'll ever have as a jockey. He was without a doubt the best chaser I've ever ridden – a horse in a lifetime. I'll never ride one as good as him again. How could you? Just look at his record.”

Tony McCoy, who rode Kauto Star once, said: “He had what a lot of those great racehorses have and those great sportsmen have – a great will to win and a great heart. He was unbelievably tough as well. Ruby was brilliant on him. He was a horse with a lot of class and Ruby made him look like the amazing horse that he was. They were very well matched.”

Mick Fitzgerald, who was on board for Kauto Star's first Grade 1 win in the 2005 Tingle Creek Chase, said: “It's very sad. I just want to remember the horse from his racing days, as I'm sure everybody does. He should be remembered as a true champion. I had an unbelievable spin off him in the Tingle Creek. He was going round in second gear in one of the fastest two-mile chases of the whole season.”

Sam Thomas, who won a Betfair Chase on Kauto Star, said: “I have very fond memories of him and I'm very lucky to have been in the right place at the right time. I just count myself lucky to have played a very small part in his career. He was a completely different horse to ride to Denman, but he was an amazing horse to ride. He was so game and gave his all every time. He was a true professional.”

Nicholls' former assistant Dan Skelton said: “He was a horse in a million. He was a great character who did so much for racing, not just for us when I worked for Paul, and Ruby Walsh, but for the whole racing industry. He will always have a special place in the hearts of a lot people as he was a real character that loved the attention.”