Henrietta trained Best Mate to win three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups from 2002 to 2004. She has played a vital role in training many racehorses to jump, and trainers send their horses to her West Lockinge Farm for schooling. She is also a breeder of Connemara ponies, an author and showing judge, and in December 2023 was granted a license to return to training racehorses – she has since had two winners, one on the Flat and one over hurdles

It is important in the equestrian world – regardless of your discipline – to have a feel for horses and be surrounded by the right people.

You have to be willing to learn, take advice and soak up knowledge from those who are experts in their own field. As a horseperson you can never stop learning and you have to be able to admit when you are wrong.

I’ve always had a love for the Connemara pony and have bred many over the years; they are incredibly alert, quick-thinking, but sharp animals. You always have to be one step ahead of them, which is the same when it comes to educating any young horses, especially thoroughbreds – you must always be on the ball.

My inspiration growing up was my mother, Hester, while I also learnt so much from my Pony Club days. However, my years in early childhood spent at the yard of Reg Hobbs, who trained Battleship to win the 1938 Grand National, were invaluable. I used to go and help him when I was nine, and he would let me sit on the horses from time to time.

He did a lot of breaking in and was unbelievably quiet and calm with his horses. He was a real horseman. Trainer Lars Sederholm was another brilliant teacher whom I greatly admired. I will never forget his most common phrase about always remaining “in balance and going forward”, which can relate to any equine discipline.

The legendary PP Hogan from Ireland had an uncanny way with horses, and Coolmore buyer Demi O’Byrne has a fantastic judgement for a horse. He has often helped me at the sales.

I have been very lucky over the years to be surrounded by so many knowledgeable people, including my late husband Terry Biddlecombe. He inherited a great eye for a horse from his family and, overall, we agreed when it came to the type of horse we liked.

He always insisted a horse had a good walk and used its shoulder. I like horses to use their backends properly, because that is where all the propulsion originates.

I do believe you are born with the ability to judge a good horse; however, learning from people who have a natural eye for a horse can develop this further.

Training Best Mate taught me a lot about the importance of patience. When you know you have a talented horse on your hands, it is vital not to hurry it. Many of the racehorses who come to my yard for help with their jumping haven’t been given the time to develop and have been produced too quickly, so we take them back to basics.

I have learnt to stay calm and keep things simple – far too many so-called experts get over-excited when they have a good horse. They are sensitive animals, and need to be relaxed and happy to perform to their best.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes: Best Mate – ‘We used to get piles of letters and cards for him sent by fans’

‘He knew he was a superstar, the way he swaggered’: the horse showing supremo Jayne Ross wishes she could have ridden

Best Mate’s legendary trainer Henrietta Knight to return to the job aged 76

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

As we build-up to Cheltenham Festival week (11–14 March), we take a look back at fan favourite, Best Mate, who won three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups.

Best Mate established a level of pre-eminence in racing that remains untouchable. He delivered every time his hooves touched a racecourse. His form is something
to be marvelled at – from 22 starts under Rules, he finished in the top two in every race bar one, and never fell.

It was his longevity as a National Hunt superstar that meant people yearned to see him
in the flesh, flocking to Cheltenham to watch him. He became the first horse since Arkle to win three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups – in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Known to be a weaver in his stable, Best Mate was turned out each day with Edredon Bleu, who also raced in the late Jim Lewis’s blue and maroon striped silks – inspired by the owner’s favourite football club, Aston Villa.

“I’m a big believer in turning horses 
out come rain or shine,” says his trainer Henrietta Knight. “Best Mate was always in charge and bossed Edredon Bleu around. If he’d been a child at school, he would have been the cheeky, arrogant child in class.”

There was one thing Best Mate did not like, however, and that was soft ground.

“I’m not sure he would have won three consecutive Gold Cups if the ground had been on the soft side,” muses Knight. “In that ground, he couldn’t show off his full ability and he didn’t like having to pull his feet out of mud.”

Luckily for Best Mate and all concerned, the ground was officially “good” on all three of his Gold Cup glory days. Perhaps some things are just meant to be.

“Best Mate was unbeatable, unless in soft ground, and even then he finished second,” adds his regular jockey Jim Culloty. “He was the most beautifully balanced horse to ride. When the ground suited him, he could stand off a fence from outside of the wings, but in the wrong ground you could just tell he hated it.

“I would get him into a rhythm and let him lob away during a race, he had such a high cruising speed. He’d come alive at the races and I always knew I was riding the best horse.”

Knight admits the first Gold Cup victory in 2002 was a surprise, but that “[her late husband] Terry [Biddlecombe] always had confidence in him”. By the time the National Hunt specialist lined up for his third consecutive Gold Cup, he had a legion of fans gunning for him.

“Back then, emails and mobiles weren’t such a thing, so we used to get piles of letters and cards for him sent by fans,” remembers Knight. “We would have people turning 
up at the yard wanting to see him in his 
stable, and we held an open day especially for him, so many fans packed in to see him – he was so popular.”

With his rise in popularity came a media storm and increased pressure for all his connections. His final Gold Cup was undoubtedly his most dramatic, and many will remember the emotional embrace between Knight and Biddlecombe in the aftermath.

During the race, Best Mate and Culloty got boxed in by rivals on the inside rail. A wave of panic trembled among spectators and could be heard in the TV commentator’s voice. However, a superb jump at the second last earned him the lead and he battled up the famous Cheltenham hill in front.

“Winning on a horse of Best Mate’s calibre, you just feel relieved crossing the line that you haven’t gone and messed it up,” says Culloty.

In Horse & Hound’s 2004 Cheltenham Gold Cup report, racing reporter Tim Richards summed it up by writing: “In addition to his quick, economical jumping and effortless gallop, Best Mate showed another element – that of the mean street fighter to get himself out of a corner after being boxed in by Paul Carberry on Harbour Pilot from four fences out.

“His thousands of fans had their hearts in their mouths when there appeared to be nowhere to go with first Harbour Pilot and then Sir Rembrandt keeping him in check against the rails. But Best Mate is no softy and he dug deep for Jim Culloty after being switched between horses. Once the second last was in range, he winged it.”

And it wasn’t just Cheltenham where Best Mate raced into the history books – he also claimed the stakes in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day in 2002, under champion jockey AP McCoy.

Best Mate’s early years

Best Mate’s story began across the Irish Sea, when his breeder Jacques van’t Hart purchased Flat mare Katday for 1,250 Irish guineas. It was the start of a road to three-time Gold Cup glory for the breeder and the creation of a National Hunt icon.

Katday was put to stallion Un Desperado and on 28 January 1995, a bay colt was born near Trim in Co Meath. He was sold as a foal at the Tattersalls (Ireland) November Sale at Fairyhouse in 1996. The renowned late bloodstock agent and horse dealer Tom Costello snapped up the foal for 2,500gns.

It was one of Costello’s then young sons who played a part in choosing the very apt name “Best Mate”. Having been nurtured at the Costello yard, Best Mate made his debut in a point-to-point at Lismore in February 1999 and it was here that Knight and Biddlecombe first saw “Matey” during a visit to Ireland.

“We liked Best Mate in the paddock beforehand and Terry, in particular, had really taken to him,” recalls Knight. “When Best Mate pulled up in that race, Terry said, ‘We should buy that horse.’ However, Tom wouldn’t sell until he’d won, so we waited.”

The couple returned to watch Best Mate win a two-runner race. This time their offer was accepted and they purchased him for owner Jim Lewis.

“Best Mate was always a top-class, 
natural jumper,” says Knight. “I never worried in a race that he would fall – he just 
never got it wrong – and he was always straightforward to train.”

Culloty partnered Best Mate in all but four of his races.

“I first sat on Best Mate at Hen’s yard,” remembers Culloty. “He was a goofy four-year-old with big ears, but had a lovely way of going from the start – 
he was a nice, pliable horse.”

Best Mate made his debut under Rules at the very place that would become synonymous with his name – a bumper at Cheltenham in 1999, which he duly won.

“Jim had a great relationship with Matey,” adds Knight. “They just seemed to trust each other and Jim always sat quiet on him during a race.”

With every run, Best Mate kept on improving. He found his way under the skin of racing fans and never let the punters down, finishing second if he didn’t win.

“You just couldn’t fault him on conformation,” explains Knight. “He was everything I look for in a horse and set the precedent for me in terms of what I search for. Everyone always said he was stereotypical of my type of horse. He walked well and he was a showman – he could have excelled in any discipline from eventing to dressage to showing.”

Best Mate’s premature death

In his impeccable form under Rules stretching from 1999 until 2005, the only “PU” which glares off the page is his last race on 1 November 2005 at Exeter – the day we said goodbye to “Matey”. Having been pulled up by jockey Paul Carberry, he collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack, aged 10.

In her book entitled Not Enough Time: My Life With Terry Biddlecombe, Knight says of the moment she lost her stable star: “The end was quick. Best Mate would have felt no pain. It was as though he was in a coma. 
He took his last breath and lay motionless. There was no struggle. His death was extremely peaceful.”

Jim Lewis had hoped Best Mate could be buried at Exeter; however, certain regulations prevented this, so his ashes were buried beside the winning post at Cheltenham a month after he died.

“Best Mate became the people’s champion,” said Lewis at the time. “They loved him and he loved them – he will be at rest at the scene of his greatest triumphs.”

Best Mate undoubtedly changed the lives of those closest to him.

“He put my name on the map, he did so much for my training career and my life thereafter,” reflects Knight. “I was so very lucky to have two champions in my life – Terry and Best Mate.

“I have always lived for horses, but sometimes you need something to help you along and for me that was Best Mate. Horses like him don’t come by very often.”

Culloty describes his success on him as “career-defining”.

“If people remember me as a jockey, it’s because of Best Mate,” he says. “He deserved a long, happy retirement and it’s devastating that never happened. It’s almost ironic that such a healthy horse with such a big heart died of a heart attack.”

Best Mate is immortalised in two bronze statues, one in the village where he was trained and another at Cheltenham Racecourse. He may be gone, but the legacy of Best Mate lives on in the heart of every racing fan who was lucky enough to witness him grace a racecourse. He really was the people’s horse.

“Training Best Mate, I learnt a lot about the importance of patience,” says Henrietta Knight. “When you know you have a talented horse on your hands, it is vital not to hurry it.

“Many of the racehorses who come to my yard for help with their jumping haven’t been given the time to develop and have been produced too quickly, so we take them back to basics.”

Jim Culloty remembers: “Before Best Mate’s debut under Rules, I was actually buying a jacket from a stall at Stratford races and I was haggling over the price with the guy selling me the jacket.

“In the end, he said, ‘If you can give me a horse to watch this season, I will give you the jacket.’ So I replied, ‘A horse called Best Mate in the bumper at Cheltenham next week.’ We won and I got my free jacket!”

After winning the King George, McCoy said: “He’s the model racehorse. The best chaser I’ve ever ridden, simply the best around at the moment. I’d marry him if I had the chance.”

Best Mate fact file

Died as a 10yo, bay thoroughbred gelding

Trainer: Henrietta Knight

Owner: Jim Lewis

Breeder: Jacques van’t Hart

Jockey: Jim Culloty

Form: 11221/1112/1221/111/211/12/P

Best results: won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002, 2003, 2004; the King George VI Chase in 2002; the 2001 Haldon Gold Cup; the 2002 Peterborough Chase; won 14 races from 22 starts and finished second seven times

Total career earnings: £1,022,436

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Suppose your Christmas stocking contained a ride on the horse of your dreams… We find out which superstar of yesteryear this top rider would love to have sat on

Jayne Ross is one of the most decorated showing producers, winning her first Horse of the Year Show title in 1966 with the pony Cusop Pirouette. She has ridden countless stars and while admittedly she isn’t one for “horse envy”, there is one racehorse she always admired.

“If I could have Best Mate in my Christmas stocking, my goodness I’d be happy,” says Jayne Ross. “My husband and I knew his trainer Henrietta Knight well and often used to visit. I met Best Mate as a five-year-old at the end of his first season. He used to go out in the field with Edredon Bleu, his best friend as it were. The two of them were so lovely together.”

One of the best-loved racehorses, Best Mate was known for winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup three consecutive times with Jim Culloty.

“From a young horse, you could tell he was special. He was so beautifully put together and I really admired him – not just because of his ability as a racehorse, but because he was such a beautifully balanced and effortless mover. His stride was so organised and engaged all the time, he rarely made a mistake. He was always in such a perfect rhythm,” explains Jayne.

“You watched him walk across the field and he was such an eyeful of a horse; short-coupled but slopey, and he had a lovely outlook. He’d have been everyone’s dream horse to win the Retraining of Racehorses classes.”

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Best Mate: the three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup victor immortalised in bronze

This three-time Gold Cup winner became the “people’s champion”, earning himself comparisons with the mighty Arkle. Hannah Lemieux delves deeper

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Legendary trainer Henrietta Knight said her ambition is to be back in the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure, as she returns to the job at the age of 76.

The National Hunt trainer, who saddled Best Mate to a historic three Gold Cup wins in a row, is reapplying for her licence, 11 years after she retired.

Mrs Knight told H&H the idea to return came “entirely out of my own head”.

“I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time,” she said, adding that she gave up when her husband, former champion jockey Terry Biddlecombe, was very ill. He died in 2014, and since then Mrs Knight has continued working from her Oxfordshire base.

“For the last seven to eight years, I’ve been very busy, with pre-training, teaching a lot of horses to jump better, or from scratch, and I’ve had a lot of trainers send me horses,” she said. “There’s been some lovely horses in the yard and I thought it would be nice to be training them again, and going to the races myself.”

Mrs Knight said her West Lockinge Farm is ready to go; all the facilities have been in use and are well maintained, so she has only three things to have in place before she can get fully back in action. One is the application process itself.

“Then there’s getting the horses,” she said. “A lot of the young horses here will stay with me but I’ve got to get owners. And there’s staffing, which is a problem throughout the horse world, so there’s a lot to take on. But I’m fortunate enough to have a very good secretary, Dawn Graham, who was with me before, and is very clued up.”

Mrs Knight added that Brendan Powell, a Grand National-winning jockey who has trained hundreds of winners, will be coming on board as her assistant.

“It’s very exciting but there’s a degree of butterflies too,” she said. “You’ve got to get the right horses; and I’m very fussy about the horses I like.

“My ambition is to get back into the winner’s enclosure at Cheltenham; probably not the Gold Cup, but any race there, that’s my aim. Things have changed immensely but I’d be very excited to do it again.”

Asked about Best Mate, the Gold Cup hero in 2002, 2003 and 2004 for Henrietta Knight and owner Jim Lewis, she said: “There may be some out there now, ready to do that, but there will never be a second Best Mate. But if I could get one even half as good as him, I’d be doing well.

“Some people think I’m mad but you have to take a few gambles and risks in life to have success. I probably took one when I started training in 1989, but life is a gamble, isn’t it?”

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Best Mate laid to rest at Cheltenham

The traditional home of national hunt racing has been chosen as the final resting place for Best Mate's ashes

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

This three-time Gold Cup winner became the “people’s champion”, earning himself comparisons with the mighty Arkle. Hannah Lemieux delves deeper into his success

Best Mate’s origins

Died as a 10yo, bay thoroughbred gelding

Trainer: Henrietta Knight

Owner: Jim Lewis

Breeder: Jacques van’t Hart

Jockey: Jim Culloty

Form: 11221/1112/1221/111/211/12/P

Best results: won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002, 2003, 2004; the King George VI Chase in 2002; the 2001 Haldon Gold Cup; the 2002 Peterborough Chase; won 14 races from 22 starts and finished second seven times; total career earnings of £1,022,436.

Best Mate established a level of pre-eminence in racing that even 15 years after he left us, still remains untouchable. He delivered every time his hooves touched a racecourse. His form is something to be marvelled at – from 22 starts under Rules, he finished in the top two every race bar one, and never fell.

It was his longevity as a National Hunt superstar that meant people yearned to see him in the flesh, flocking to the likes of Cheltenham to watch him. He became the first horse since Arkle to win three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups, in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Best Mate’s story began across the Irish Sea, when his breeder Jacques van’t Hart purchased Flat mare Katday for 1,250 Irish guineas. It was the start of a road to three-time Gold Cup glory for the breeder and the creation of a National Hunt icon.

Katday was put to stallion Un Desperado and on 28 January 1995, a bay colt was born near Trim in Co Meath. He was sold as a foal at the Tattersalls (Ireland) November Sale at Fairyhouse in 1996. The renowned late bloodstock agent and horse dealer Tom Costello snapped up the foal for 2,500gns.

It was one of Costello’s then young sons who played a part in choosing the very apt name “Best Mate”. Having been nurtured at the Costello yard, Best Mate made his debut in a point-to-point at Lismore in February 1999 and it was here that trainer Henrietta Knight and her late husband, Terry Biddlecombe, first saw “Matey” during a visit to Ireland.

“We liked Best Mate in the paddock beforehand and Terry, in particular, had really taken to him,” recalls Knight. “When Best Mate pulled up in that race, Terry said, ‘We should buy that horse.’ However, Tom wouldn’t sell until he’d won, so we waited.”

The couple returned to watch Best Mate win a two-runner race. This time their offer was accepted and they purchased him for owner Jim Lewis.

“Best Mate was always a top-class, natural jumper,” says Knight. “I never worried in a race that he would fall – he just never got it wrong – and he was always straightforward to train.”

Jim Culloty partnered Best Mate in all but four of his races. “I first sat on Best Mate at Hen’s yard,” remembers Culloty. “He was a goofy four-year-old with big ears, but had a lovely way of going from the start – he was a nice, pliable horse.”

Best Mate made his debut under Rules at the very place that would become synonymous with his name – a bumper at Cheltenham in 1999, which he duly won.

“Jim had a great relationship with Matey,” adds Knight. “They just seemed to trust each other and Jim always sat quiet on him during a race.”

With every run, Best Mate kept on improving. He found his way under the skin of racing fans and never let the punters down, finishing second if he didn’t win.

‘He was a showman’

“You just couldn’t fault him on conformation,” explains Knight. “He was everything I look for in a horse and set the precedent for me in terms of what I search for. Everyone always said he was stereotypical of my type of horse. He walked well and he was a showman – he could have excelled in any discipline from eventing to dressage and showing.”

Known to be a weaver in his stable, Best Mate was turned out each day with Edredon Bleu, who also raced in Jim Lewis’s blue and maroon striped silks – inspired by the owner’s favourite football club, Aston Villa.

“I’m a big believer in turning horses out come rain or shine,” says Knight. “Best Mate was always in charge and bossed Edredon Bleu around. If he’d been a child at school, he would have been the cheeky, arrogant child in class.”

There was one thing Best Mate did not like, however, and that was soft ground.

“I’m not sure he would have won three consecutive Gold Cups if the ground had been on the soft side,” muses Knight. “In that ground, he couldn’t show off his full ability and he didn’t like having to pull his feet out of mud.

Luckily for Best Mate and all concerned, the ground was officially “good” on all three of his Gold Cup glory days. Perhaps some things are just meant to be.

“Best Mate was unbeatable, unless in soft ground, and even then he finished second,” adds Culloty. “He was the most beautifully balanced horse to ride. When the ground suited him, he could stand off a fence from outside of the wings, but in the wrong ground you could just tell he hated it.

“I would get him into a rhythm and let him lob away during a race, he had such a high cruising speed. He’d come alive at the races and I always knew I was riding the best horse.”

Knight admits the first Gold Cup victory in 2002 was a surprise but that “Terry always had confidence in him”. By the time the National Hunt specialist lined up for his third consecutive Gold Cup, he had a legion of fans gunning for him.

“Back then, emails and mobiles weren’t such a thing, so we used to get piles of letters and cards for him sent by fans,” remembers Knight. “We would have people turning up at the yard wanting to see him in his stable, and we held an open day especially for him, so many fans packed in to see him – he was so popular.”

With his rise in popularity came a media storm and increased pressure for all his connections. His final Gold Cup was undoubtedly his most dramatic, and many will remember the emotional embrace between Knight and Biddlecombe in the aftermath.

During the race, Best Mate and Culloty got boxed in by rivals on the inside rail. A wave of panic trembled among spectators and could be heard in the TV commentator’s voice. However, a superb jump at the second last earned him the lead and he battled up the famous Cheltenham hill in front.

“Winning on a horse of Best Mate’s calibre, you just feel relieved crossing the line that you haven’t gone and messed it up,” says Culloty.

And it wasn’t just Cheltenham where Best Mate raced into the history books – he also claimed the stakes in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day in 2002, under champion jockey AP McCoy.

‘The people’s champion’

In his impeccable form under Rules stretching from 1999 until 2005, the only “PU” which glares off the page is his last race on 1 November 2005 at Exeter – the day we said goodbye to “Matey”. Having been pulled up by jockey Paul Carberry, he collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack, aged 10.

In her book entitled Not Enough Time: My Life With Terry Biddlecombe, Knight says of the moment she lost her stable star: “The end was quick. Best Mate would have felt no pain. It was as though he was in a coma. He took his last breath and lay motionless. There was no struggle. His death was extremely peaceful.”

Jim Lewis had hoped Best Mate could be buried at Exeter; however, certain regulations prevented this, so his ashes were buried beside the winning post at Cheltenham a month after he died.

“Best Mate became the people’s champion,” said Lewis at the time. “They loved him and he loved them – he will be at rest at the scene of his greatest triumphs.” Best Mate undoubtedly changed the lives of those closest to him.

“He put my name on the map, he did so much for my training career and my life thereafter,” reflects Knight. “I was so very lucky to have two champions in my life – Terry and Best Mate.

“I have always lived for horses, but sometimes you need something to help you along and for me that was Best Mate. Horses like him don’t come by very often.”

Culloty describes his success on him as “career-defining”.

“If people remember me as a jockey, it’s because of Best Mate,” he says. “He deserved a long, happy retirement and it’s devastating that never happened. It’s almost ironic that such a healthy horse with such a big heart died of a heart attack.”

Best Mate is immortalised in two bronze statues, one in the village where he was trained and another at Cheltenham Racecourse. He may be gone, but the legacy of Best Mate lives on in the heart of every racing fan who was lucky enough to witness him grace a racecourse. He really was the people’s horse.

‘What Best Mate taught me’

“Training Best Mate, I learnt a lot about the importance of patience,” says Henrietta Knight. “When you know you have a talented horse on your hands, it is vital not to hurry it.

“Many of the racehorses who come to my yard for help with their jumping haven’t been given the time to develop and have been produced too quickly, so we take them back to basics.”

‘Watch this horse’

“Before Best Mate’s debut under Rules, I was actually buying a jacket from a stall at Stratford races and I was haggling over the price with the guy selling me the jacket,” remembers Jim Culloty.

“In the end, he said, ‘If you can give me a horse to watch this season, I will give you the jacket.’ So I replied, ‘A horse called Best Mate in the bumper at Cheltenham next week.’ We won and I got my free jacket!”

AP McCoy on Best Mate

“He’s the model racehorse. The best chaser I’ve ever ridden, simply the best around at the moment. I’d marry him if I had the chance,” said McCoy after winning the King George. “He won’t have to improve to win a second Gold Cup. If he does improve, I think I’ll have to kidnap Jim Culloty.”

Horse & Hound, 3 January 2003

From the Horse & Hound archive

Tim Richards reports from the 2004 Gold Cup…

“In addition to his quick, economical jumping and effortless gallop, Best Mate showed another element – that of the mean street fighter to get himself out of a corner after being boxed in by Paul Carberry on Harbour Pilot from four fences out.

“His thousands of fans had their hearts in their mouths when there appeared to be nowhere to go with first Harbour Pilot and then Sir Rembrandt keeping him in check against the rails. But Best Mate is no softy and he dug deep for Jim Culloty after being switched between horses. Once the second last was in range, he winged it.”

Horse & Hound, 25 March 2004

First published in Horse & Hound; 5 November 2020

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Each equestrian sport can benefit from the specialist expertise of another. Catherine Austen investigates the advantages of interaction between eventing and racing

If you placed racing and eventing in a Venn diagram, there would be some obvious shared characteristics: adrenaline, physical risk, equine athleticism. But the sports, despite descending from a shared heritage, are often poles apart – and that distance is increasing. Sam Watson, the Irish international event rider and co-founder of data company EquiRatings, thinks they would both benefit from learning from the other.

He is in a position to judge; not only does his work with EquiRatings mean that he looks at equestrianism, in all its forms, in an analytical way, but he is also a big racing fan and has worked with horses – and riders – at some of the biggest yards in Ireland.

“Look at the improvement in performance in human athletics in the past few decades, and then at horse race times, which have stayed fairly static,” Sam says.

“Some people believe that racehorses have evolved as far as they can; I don’t think so. Human athletics has placed significant emphasis on strength and conditioning – racing hasn’t, really, and that’s where I think improvement in that sport could come from.”

Something racing does brilliantly, he says, is getting horses fit, maintaining that fitness and managing performance, using stress and rest – knowing when to push and when to back off – and eventing could learn a lot from the way trainers do that.

“But what equestrian sports do really well is making horses strong and symmetrical, which gives them straightness, which makes them powerful and effective. Every day I watch races in which horses are hanging in a finish; if they were straighter through their bodies, they wouldn’t do that. I don’t think a lot of racehorses are as strong and supple as they could be.”

The intrinsic difference is that eventers train their horses from the saddle, and trainers (usually) from the ground. They have many more horses in their charge, and employ staff to exercise and work them. No one is saying that staff within the racing industry can’t ride – many of them are outstanding horsemen – but the skills generally required are different to those developed by people who event.

From 2015 to 2017 Sam coached the multiple champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins’ staff in flatwork.

“I was terrified the first time I turned up at Closutton [Willie’s yard in Co Carlow],” remembers Sam. “It was Willie’s idea, spurred on by his wife Jackie, who used to be an event rider. There were 40 horses cantering round a big sand arena. I asked which of them were going to be doing flatwork. He said all of them! Imagine teaching 40 people on 40 horses. Your communication has to be very clear and direct.

“We did 45-minute sessions, and I needed to keep it simple and target what matters – symmetry. Most horses will lean out through one shoulder or another, which is what makes them stronger on one rein than the other. If you can train people to be aware of that, it’s a good start.”

He praises the quality of rider Willie employs, particularly those who ride his top horses.

“It’s very notable – they are skilled horsemen,” Sam says. “And to give Willie credit, he really champions them.”

Sam worked on the riders’ seats and balance, making sure they weren’t sitting as though they were in a chair and making the horse beneath them hollow.

“And they know how to keep a horse on the bridle and connected in canter, so it was about getting them to do it in walk and trot as well,” he adds.

Riding skills

Ben Pauling trains National Hunt horses in the Cotswolds and grew up doing Pony Club, eventing and hunting.

“I’m a stickler for making sure horses are ridden properly,” he says. “Every day, our horses go into the outdoor school and are walked and then trotted on either rein to check soundness and to see how they are moving. Some horses in racing aren’t the best movers – that’s much more important in eventing than it is in racing – but I want to see that they are moving as well as they can. Ours never slop along with their heads on the floor. The second a horse of ours isn’t moving well, we’d want to find out why.”

He emphasises the difference in the generally required riding skills, though.

“Judgement of pace and the ability to hold very strong horses are important in racing – a lot of people who work in eventing wouldn’t be able to do that – but my riders, good as they are, would struggle to keep a horse in what is considered a correct outline,” he says.

He did bring in eventer Charlotte Agnew a few years ago to work with his staff on flatwork.

“For some of the older staff, she may as well have been talking Japanese,” he admits. “They didn’t get it. Now we have younger people who want to improve – they are very able to ride, but aren’t educated in that manner.

“The racing schools do an amazing job to turn out good staff in nine weeks, but there isn’t time to teach them the horsemanship skills you learn from Pony Clubbing and hunting, riding from your leg to your hand.

“That’s down to us [as trainers], I suppose, but time is a major factor, and it’s probably a dream, not reality.”

He believes strongly in the benefits of flatwork, however, and he and jockey Nico de Boinville, considered an outstanding and educated horseman, do polework and gridwork with the horses every Monday morning.

“And I’ve been sending horses to [local eventers] Lucy Jackson and Laura Collett a lot this season to get them to use themselves better,” he says.

He gives the example of a horse called The Macon Lugnatic, who won his bumper at Newbury in January 2019.

“He schooled beautifully over hurdles at home, but in his first race over them in December he kept diving right and got very low at them. We got his back looked at, but it turned out to be a problem in his shoulder. Lucy did a huge amount of flatwork with him and got him supple and straight, and he has since won both of his races over hurdles very nicely,” says Ben.

“But you can’t ignore the fact that plenty of trainers do none of that, and their horses jump brilliantly and win a lot of races.”

Sam often has racehorses sent to him for schooling.

“Often I get a horse which has run and shown a lot of potential, but possibly didn’t see out its race for a physical reason,” he says. “And I’ve had some very nice unraced ones.”

He is discreet about names, but he has worked with some very famous horses.

“Of the top 10 equine athletes I have worked with, eight have been racehorses and two have been event horses,” he says. “Sizing John came to us, for example, the summer after his Cheltenham Gold Cup win for Jessie Harrington. A friend from the UK saw me riding him in the school and thought I had a new secret eventing weapon – he’s gorgeous, a beautiful mover and has a great attitude. He really wanted to please.”

The newer generation

What about the other side of the coin? “I do think a lot of eventers, particularly the newer generation, don’t work horses enough early enough in their careers,” Sam says. “I’m not saying we need to run our two-year-olds flat-out over a mile, but a lot of sport horses aren’t broken in until they are four. Yes, usually their bodies are pristine, but we also need them to be real athletes, and ‘stress’ shouldn’t be seen as a bad word.”

If people saw Sam’s three- and four-year-olds, he says they would probably think he was pre-training point-to-pointers, not starting event horses.

“I want them to go forwards,” he says. “Heart and lung and aerobic fitness is important at this time; strengthening comes later and keeps developing all the way through a horse’s life.”

Load needs to be considered when riding very young horses – after all, the people who break in Flat yearlings and who ride two-year-olds are very light – but he thinks that simple work at an early stage helps condition their bodies and lay the foundations for fitness.

It doesn’t even need a rider in the saddle.

Sam says: “Loose-jumping horses as three-year-olds can be great, but not necessarily the type you see at sales, where they make a high, big shape over a big oxer. I like little fences and bits of gradient, where they get their footwork and coordination sorted out – think of kids playing football – and it is good for their lungs to have a bit of a blow.

“Longevity in a horse’s career is a great part of eventing and I am not advocating that we ‘use’ our horses early so there is less in the tank later on, but by doing a little bit more, earlier, they will be sounder for longer and it will be easier to get them properly fit. Take Andrew Nicholson – a high proportion of his horses make it to five-star, and people need to look at why that is.

“You can do so much in eventing without having a horse that fit, and I think that’s the case for a lot of people who don’t do long-format three-day eventing. Be careful with that – don’t leave it too late to get a horse to have a proper blow and to extend his stride.”

Perhaps, in this time of a forced break from both very busy sports, a few participants may have the time – and the inclination – to study what the sports around them excel at and use those traits to their advantage.

Henrietta Knight’s view…

As a former top-level event rider and British eventing team selector, as well as a highly successful National Hunt trainer, Henrietta Knight is very well placed to compare eventing and racing.

She says: “I have always taught young racehorses to carry themselves properly and to go in a balanced way. Topline is very important; all the power comes from behind and they need muscle on either side of their spines.

“Trainer Aidan O’Brien does a tremendous amount of work in the early part of the year using bungees and running reins to make his [Flat] horses use themselves and develop topline.

“But there’s no point making it too complicated. If a horse is comfortable and going in a nice outline, you’re halfway there. Racehorses don’t need to be able to canter a 10m circle.

“So many event horses aren’t fit enough now, and I’ve seen some terrible riding and unfit riders. In both sports riders lack balance; in eventing they never ride without stirrups and rely on their hands, while in the racing world they perch on top and bump about.

“In terms of times of races not having improved, I think that is probably down to poorer, overraced surfaces on racecourses, but I think the standard of competition now is as high as it has ever been.”

Ref Horse & Hound; 28 May 2020

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Through the highs and lows of equestrian sport, Horse & Hound has been there – documenting the many achievements of Britain’s top riders and sharing their experiences on the world stage. We all have our treasured memories from the last few decades of competition, but what would some of our best-loved celebrities single out as their proudest moments? Next up, as we celebrate H&H’s 135th birthday with a bumper issue (dated 20 June), is former National Hunt trainer, Henrietta Knight…

Former event rider Henrietta Knight joined the racing greats after training triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate. Now retired from the sport, Henrietta has more recently concentrated on breeding Connemara ponies at her Lockinge Stud.

“My proudest moment was Best Mate’s third Gold Cup win in 2004,” she recalls [pictured afterwards with her late husband, Terry Biddlecombe]. “I remember a feeling of complete and utter relief. There had been so much pressure before the race, from everyone who was behind the horse – the owner, the media, the public… Could he do it a third time? When he passed the post first, I was just so relieved. He had delivered.

“It was unreal, but the emotions don’t end there,” she says. “You look back, watch the replays, read the press, talk to people about it. It was the most amazing day – a feeling that stays with you for a lifetime.”

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Henrietta continues: “That particular win proved that you don’t have to run Gold Cup horses too many times before a championship race. People said that we wrapped Best Mate in cotton wool, because we never ran him between January and the Gold Cup in March. We were widely criticised at the time, but that’s what trainers do now; they hardly ever run their top horses. I feel that we set a precedent, and I’m proud of that.

“I often think how fortunate I was to have Best Mate in my yard. Nobody had really heard of me before that, but he put me on the map. The idea of female trainers was in still in its infancy in those days, even though Jenny Pitman had won the Grand National and the Gold Cup. Then along came Best Mate, who helped show that lady trainers were equal to men – if not better.”

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Racehorse trainer-turned-author Henrietta Knight — who trained Best Mate to three consecutive Gold Cups — talks to H&H’s racing editor, Hannah Lemieux, about her favourite stories from the Festival, plus the current controversies within the sport.

“You only have to be at the Cheltenham Festival for a short while before being swept along and mesmerised. Racegoers are hypnotised and the rest of the world forgotten. The feeling is indescribable. I defy anyone not to be emotionally affected when champion after champion is led back to the holy grail — that revered winner’s enclosure – created as it is like an amphitheatre, with the crowds rising high towards the sky on the steps of the semi-circle. To cap it all, the music that is played makes it all the more emotional. Well done Cheltenham racecourse — it is the best unsaddling area, you have created a masterpiece.

“Lady jockeys were greatly to the fore at the 2019 Festival and Bryony Frost is undoubtedly the darling of the racing public. Her partnership with Frodon (winner of the Ryanair Chase) is warming. Both horse and rider seem to have a great understanding. Bryony is full of enthusiasm and extremely determined. She seems to impart these qualities to the horses she rides. Lizzie Kelly is another gifted rider and the bold front-running tactics that she employed on Siruh Du Lac in the 2m4½f handicap chase definitely paid off.

“Ireland’s new sensation, Rachael Blackmore, is an outstanding rider — probably the best of all the lady jockeys riding at the moment. She is currently lying second in the Irish jockeys’ championship table to Paul Townend and she wins races on a variety of different horses. She is strong and stylish with a tactical brain. To emerge from the Festival with two winners — A Plus Tard (Close Brothers Novices’ Chase) and Minella Indo (Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle) — has put her in the history books.

“On Thursday, 14 March, Emma Lavelle’s training of Paisley Park to win the Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle further demonstrates the strong position that ladies now hold in the sport. It was a moving moment when the horse’s owner, Andrew Gemmell, received his trophy because he is blind from birth, however, he puts a huge deal into racing. For jockey Aidan Coleman it was a first ever Cheltenham Festival Grade One victory and he was visibly delighted.

‘A massive breakdown of trust’

Despite this year’s Cheltenham Festival providing some outstanding results it was, nevertheless, unfortunate that the four-mile National Hunt Chase on day one caused such a stir.

It is a well-established Festival race and has, over the years, produced some top-class chasers. It caters for novice horses, who are ridden by amateurs. If one looks back statistically, 2016 was a particularly good year for this race. Horses that ran in it have since won over 85 races and include Minella Rocco, Native River, Measure Of My Dreams, Noble Endeavour, Pleasant Company, Shantou Flyer, Vieux Lion Rouge, and Definitly Red.

Admittedly, last week, the National Hunt Chase was not a pleasant spectacle and only four of the 18 starters completed. The runners were notably tired and there were some heavy falls. Critics of the race now say that the jockeys should not be amateurs, However, most of this year’s riders had plenty of experience and several of them are better than many of the professionals, including Jamie Codd, Derek O’Connor, Barry O’Neill, Patrick Mullins, Noel McParlan, Sam Waley Cohen, Will Biddick and Finian Maguire.

However, it is hard to see why Declan Lavery was penalised for finishing third on Jerrysback. He was dished out a 10-day ban for not pulling up his mount before the last fence. Yet, the horse jumped the fence safely and carefully. Declan did not resort to his whip and nursed his partner up the run in. What more could have been done? The horse’s trainer, Philip Hobbs, reported that the horse was fine afterwards and was never seen by any of the racecourse vets.

Over the past few months, there has been a massive breakdown of trust between the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and trainers. The latter work closely with their horses and with the jockeys. They are licensed by the BHA, however, there was a lot of displeasure concerning the action taken by the BHA-appointed stewards at Cheltenham after the National Hunt Chase. It is to be hoped that Declan is successful with his appeal.

‘Easy campaigns for Gold Cup runners’

On a happier note, the four major championship races were outstanding spectacles. As well as Frodon’s victory and Altior in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, it was great to see the five-year-old Espoir D’Allen win the Champion Hurdle. He was the youngest horse in the race and his jockey, Mark Walsh — who won two races last week — is a talented rider.

It is always good to see new names on the board and for handler Gavin Cromwell — who started off as top Irish trainer Gordon Elliott’s farrier — it was a fairytale result. Although, he is not new to British racing, having saddled Welsh National winner Raz De Maree a few years ago.

Willie Mullins deservedly won the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He had trained several placed horses in previous runnings of the race, but had never lifted the crown. He had become resigned to thinking that he would never win the blue riband of steeplechasing, and the champion Irish trainer’s delight was clearly apparent as he returned to the winner’s enclosure.

Nowadays many of the Gold Cup contenders are given easy campaigns when building up to the big race, indeed this year’s winner only had one outing in January, when winning at Tramore in Co. Waterford. When Best Mate won three consecutive Gold Cups, he too was lightly raced prior to the Festival. We were much criticised for wrapping him up in cotton wool, but it is always a tough race and horses need to be feeling good when it matters most — they only have limited mileage in their careers.

‘A little terrier of a horse’

Finally, no reflections of this year’s Festival can leave out Tiger Roll — a little terrier of a horse, who is only 15.3hh yet has the heart of a lion and unbelievable enthusiasm for racing. He loves Cheltenham and has now won four times at the Festival, beginning with the Triumph Hurdle and then, as a novice, winning the much-talked about National Hunt Chase, under Lisa O’Neill. This was before taking the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase two years running, with talented jockey Keith Donoghue.

Watching Tiger Roll’s win this year brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. He is such a special horse and, after his victory in last year’s Grand National, one tentatively brackets him with Red Rum — who was another small ex-Flat horse who just loved jumping.

He will hopefully continue to give pleasure to his many fans before, according to Gigginstown Stud’s Eddie O’Leary, doing retrained racehorse classes in his eventual retirement.

Don’t miss our full report from the Cheltenham Festival and further comment from Henrietta Knight in this week’s issue of Horses & Hound — on sale tomorrow (Thursday, 21 March).

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A National Hunt racehorse who built up a huge following has been put down at the age of 26.

Edredon Bleu won 12 of his 26 races with trainer Henrietta Knight and over £700,000 for owner Jim Lewis, with victories including the Queen Mother Chase at Cheltenham in 2000 with AP McCoy.

And in 2003 he triumphed in the King George V1 Chase at Kempton.

“Everyone said he wouldn’t adapt to going a mile further but my husband, Terry Biddlecombe, always said Bleu would stay three miles,” Henrietta said.

His other successes included the 2003 Clonmel Oil Chase under Jim Culloty and four Peterborough Chases in a row at Huntington, a record for any one horse.

But the winning formula did not start straight away.

Bleu arrived in Knight’s yard as a four-year-old from France where he had won four novice chases.

“The first year was a disaster,” said Henrietta. “He took a long time to get used to British fences and ran three times badly. We turned him away for a summer at grass and he came back a new horse.”

Barely 16.1hh but armed with strong legs and a big heart, Bleu was always a favourite in the yard.

An individual who “liked to do things on his own” the racehorse preferred to exercise without any others around him. In the field he was always bossed by the other horses especially Best Mate, who he was turned out with.

When he was retired from racing aged 12, Claire Thorner, who worked for Henrietta, offered him a home.

The family lived four miles away at Letcombe Regis near Wantage and Bleu quickly adapted to his new life as a cherished hack and hunter with the Thorner family.

In Cheltenham Festival week he was sometimes lured back to the paddock to lead the Champion Chase parade.

The year after he won the King George V1 on Boxing Day the sponsors asked Henrietta if Bleu could parade around the monument at Hyde Park Corner to promote the 2004 race.

Knight’s lorry was allowed to park nearby and Bleu walked round with his stable girl Jackie Jenner without flinching at the midday traffic.

“He behaved perfectly and was an absolute gentleman,” said Henrietta, who keeps a photograph of the occasion in her office.

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Recently Bleu had started to feel his age and on the vet’s advice was put down at the end of September.

“He’d had a wonderful life. It was kinder to put him down before the start of another winter,” said his trainer.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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Henrietta Knight’s latest book, The Jumping Game, is not simply a book on ‘how to train a racehorse’, but offers an insight into all aspects of horsemanship that stretches beyond racing.

Henrietta, trainer of three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate, takes the reader on a fascinating tour around the yards and training practices of some of the biggest names in the world of National Hunt racing.

Having read her last book Not Enough Time, a moving autobiographical account about her life with Terry Biddlecombe (definitely one to add to your reading list), I was keen to grab first dibs on The Jumping Game.

Henrietta’s writing style is wonderfully informative without being dry — detailed descriptions are peppered with anecdotes and she brings trainers, staff, yards and horses to life.

And yes, while it probably helps that I am a racing fan, I found the differences in training and the way horses are kept fascinating, with ways of thinking that could be applied across the full remit of equestrian sport.

The pages are full of tips, tricks, ways of doing things, ways of adapting to suit quirky horses and advice from some of Britain and Ireland’s most experienced horsemen and women.

It also takes in the more general changes in horse management over the years, plus offers insight into who embraces new technology, who doesn’t, and even follows the impact busy roads have had on racehorses’ training regimes.

From how Donald McCain picks out horses at the sales, to how the layout of the London 2012 Olympic arenas influenced Dan Skelton’s gallops, the book is full of interesting snippets.

Henrietta sums this up perfectly in her introduction: “It is never too late to learn, and with horses no two days are the same. The person who says that he knows it all is fooling himself. He will never be a champion.”

This is a book I’m sure I will be dipping back into again and again.

Useful info

The Jumping Game: How National Hunt Trainers Work and What Makes Them Tick

by Henrietta Knight is published by Head of Zeus and goes on sale in hardback on 8 March 2018 for £20.

Preorder The Jumping Game in hardback on Amazon today for £20

NB: The above link is provided to help you pre-order this book. Horse & Hound will earn a small commission from the sale.

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Henrietta Knight is best known for training Best Mate to three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups before she retired in 2012 — however, she also has a passion for Connemara ponies. We visit her at her picturesque West Lockinge Farm to find out about her Connemara operation. Don't miss the full feature with Henrietta in this week's native pony special issue of Horse & Hound magazine (29 September)

Henrietta with her 12-year-old Connemara broodmare, Castle Fuchsia, who is in foal to Contepomi Cashel

The yard at West Lockinge Farm where Henrietta's Connemara ponies are stabled.

Henrietta feeds this year's foal Lockinge Celina, who is out of her broodmare Sweet Charity — the mare was gifted to Henrietta on her 60th birthday ten years ago.

It is unlikely Henrietta's Connemaras will be gracing these gallops but they are used by the racehorses visiting West Lockinge Farm for pre-training

The stunning house at West Lockinge Farm is where Henrietta lives — her home for 30 years and where she lived with her late husband Terry Biddlecombe.

The main yard at West Lockinge Farm is where Henrietta's most famous racehorse, Best Mate, was stabled — she trained him from this yard to win the 2002, 2003, 2004 Cheltenham Gold Cups.

Henrietta's home is adorned with racing photos, newspaper cuttings and books — she is an author herself and was a teacher before taking up the reins to train racehorses.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Townend Schubert was a worthy native champion at Olympia, the London International Horse Show. He’s a striking Fell pony who is beautifully produced and he really sold himself.

I also liked third placed Benbreac Of Croila. He’s a lovely stamp with a good front; I could picture him carrying a stag off the hills, which is what Highlands are bred for.

There were 21 stallions forward and, as a conformation judge, I felt that a lot of riders could improve their handling of them. A number were pushy and ill-mannered, trying to bite their handler and turning their head, which spoilt the overall picture. They should work on that at home — it is important that ponies are respectful of their handler.

A number of competitors trotted too fast in the ride-round, pushing ponies out of their stride, thus losing overall cadence and balance. This is the first impression judges get, so don’t be in a hurry.

On the whole, the calibre of finalists was high and everything was beautifully turned out. It’s never easy to get the coat right on a native in December.

It was an interesting cross-section of breeds and my co-judge Len Bigley and I felt we used our 50 marks apiece well, ranging from early 30s up to the mid-40s.

H&H 24 December 2015

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This beautiful book tells the story of the superstar from his first steps to his team debut, the euphoric Olympic victory and all that followed. We hear from several of those whose lives “Blueberry” has touched, from his breeders, Maartje and Joop Hanse, to “super-groom” Alan Davies, to the many judges he has wowed. The story is as gripping as Valegro’s performances, with beautiful, rarely seen photos. Above all, the reader gains a sense of the extraordinary partnership between Valegro, Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester. The photos showing Carl watching the pair at their first championships from behind a pillar, sobbing like a proud father, are one particularly moving episode.

2. Katie Jerram’s Modern Horse Management

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Although written by one of the country’s leading showing riders, this easy-to-read, well-illustrated book is useful for every horse owner. It is essentially an A to Z for keeping horses, with all sorts of stable management areas covered, from feeding and clipping to grooming and rugging up, plus fitness, safe travel and lungeing — and much more besides. The text is split into manageable chunks, with Katie explaining the way she does things and why, rather than straightforward dos and don’ts. Even if you’ve owned horses for years, this is a helpful reference guide for brushing up on your equine husbandry skills.

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Publisher: Acanthus Press

Price: £25

ISBN: 9780992995102

A stalwart of the British eventing team for a number of years, Badminton and Burghley winner Mary King shares the secrets behind her success in her latest training book. She opens the doors to her yard to reveal her polished management and training system, giving aspiring equestrians the ideal opportunity to learn from one of the world’s most famous and well-loved equestrian personalities. From purchasing an event horse, to preparation for all three phases, providing the best stable management routine and achieving your goals in the world of competition, Mary is generous and honest with her knowledge.

4. Henrietta Knight: Not Enough Time

Author: Henrietta Knight

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Price: £20

ISBN: 9781784971335

Henrietta Knight’s latest book gives a glimpse into the life that she shared with her great love Terry Biddlecombe. It follows Hen and Terry from their lives before they met, their first date and through the highs and lows of their life together. From the moment she starts writing about Terry there is a noticeable warmth to Hen’s writing that contrasts with the factual way she describes her life before him. The beautifully written narrative feels truly honest and flows in a way that makes it seem as though Hen is there, telling you the story personally. It is peppered with tiny details, fond memories and hilarious anecdotes from the couple’s friends. How she took a suitcase of Best Mate’s fan mail on holiday so she could reply to well-wishers, and her description of how they would prepare the owners’ open days are just two examples of how Hen’s writing makes you feel as if you are watching the scenes unfold. Only a cold-hearted person wouldn’t shed a few tears at some point while reading this book. Best Mate’s first Cheltenham Gold Cup win in 2002, his death in 2005 and Hen’s account of caring for Terry during his illness are powerful and deeply moving.

5. The Queen’s Backyard

Author: Anderson & Low

Publisher: Dewi Lewis Publishing

Price: £30

ISBN: 9781907893704

Our fascination with The Queen and horses is unlikely ever to waver — and this offering from photographers Jonathan Anderson and Edwin Low is the perfect fix for every equestrian royalist. Anderson and Low have gone behind the scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show to give us an insight into the participants of the show that a general admissions ticket could never offer. The images take us from The Queen visiting the Household Cavalry at the stables, to band rehearsals, nervous Shetland jockeys pre-race to grazing horses in the car park. As The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations at next year’s Royal Windsor draw closer, this compendium of images should take pride of place on any coffee table.

6. McCoy: The Complete Story

Author: edited by Brough Scott

Publisher: Racing Post Books

Price: £20

ISBN: 9781910498187

A fantastic compilation of Racing Post articles documenting the life of the remarkable AP McCoy. Stretching from his early childhood years to his final day in the weighing room at Sandown Park in April — a momentous day no racing fan shall ever forget — the pages provide a fitting tribute to the sporting legend. Edited by Brough Scott, the substantial book brings alive not only AP’s career in the saddle but his life off the track — his family life and the daily pressures of being the 20-time champion jockey. Thanks to a combination of interesting articles and vibrant photography, readers can delve into AP’s fascinating life and mindset.

7. The Enchanted Horse

Author: Magdalen Nabb

Publisher: Harper Collins

Price: £9.99

ISBN: 9780007580309

This is a heart-warming, magical tale of a lonely girl who finds happiness when an old toy horse in a junk shop comes to life. Irina lives a dull life helping her parents on the farm — but everything changes when she realises that her wooden horse is real. With the opening chapter aptly starting on Christmas Eve, the style of descriptive writing is utterly captivating. The story was first published in 1992. This new edition, sealed within a powder blue cover, is packed with beautiful illustrations and would make a welcome surprise at the bottom of a child’s stocking.

8. Cartoons From The Horse’s Mouth

Authors: Spencer Hill and Vicky Oakey

Publisher: Kenilworth Press

Price: £8.99

ISBN: 9781910016053

Cartoonist Spencer Hill and Vicky Oakey, who has a masters degree in equine science, have created this light-hearted paperback, which is sure to make any equestrian giggle. With more than 100 illustrations, it offers a great insight into what horses and ponies are likely to freely discuss when their riders are not around — ranging from Pony Club and poo-picking to poll guards and yard drama. Some favourites that we sniggered at were: “Quick Bob, someone’s coming! Chatter your teeth and they will take us somewhere warm!’’, “All of our poop has been stolen again” — “why do the humans find it so fascinating?” and on the subject of plaiting: “I know it’s traditional, and I’m sure I look gorgeous, but this hairstyle makes me feel like a chump.” This book is easy to read and beautifully presented. You’re sure to recognise your own horse among the cartoons, making it a must-have for any tack room table.

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Henrietta Knight's new book 'Not Enough Time: My Life With Terry Biddlecombe', charts the former trainer's life with her late husband, the ex-champion jockey. Here she remembers the fateful day that Best Mate, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times in a row, died at Exeter Racecourse in 2005

On that fateful day, when Best Mate returned to the racecourse he loved, nobody could have foreseen the tragedy that was to unfold.

Thousands of fans were there and attendance numbers were exceptionally high.

It was business as usual; everybody was longing to see the former wonder horse. Terry and I did the saddling up, as we always did, and we felt happy with our star. In the designated box, while we positioned his tack, his ears were pricked. He was trembling with the excitement of the occasion and he intently watched everything that was happening around him.

As he absorbed the atmosphere, Best Mate stared across to the racecourse with his usual eagerness – and when he walked around the paddock, he strode out as though he owned the place.

He had never been beaten at Exeter and this was his fourth visit. He loved playing to his public and was a proper show-off. The only difference that day was that he was being led up by his new lass, Gemma Bennett.

His former minder, Jackie Jenner, had left our employment at the end of April. There were some outstanding photographs of Best Mate in the preliminaries that day and Gemma had turned him out superbly. She was rightly proud of her new charge. Jim Lewis and his supporters thronged the centre of the parade ring wearing their customary Aston Villa scarves. This was Jim’s favourite football club and Best Mate’s racing colours were maroon and pale blue.

Terry legged up the jockey, Paul Carberry, who had been invited to ride Matey that day. Jim Culloty had retired from race-riding and the two other jockeys who had previously ridden and won on Best Mate were unavailable at Exeter. Timmy Murphy rode Contraband for David Johnson and A. P. McCoy rode Ground Ball for J. P. McManus.

‘I remember thinking how magnificent he looked’

After watching Best Mate canter down to the start on that November day, I remember thinking how magnificent he looked.

There was no hint of anything amiss. He strode out majestically and his coat gleamed in the autumn sunshine; even his dapples showed up. In keeping with tradition, I then walked down the racecourse to watch the race unfold and listen to the commentary close to the last fence. I could see the action from there without being among the huge crowd of racegoers. The grandstand was packed with people.

My nerves were tingling with anticipation, but I was pleased with our horse. He had never looked better. I felt proud to be training him. There were 11 runners in the Haldon Gold Cup in 2005 and, as they streamed over the fence in front of me, Best Mate looked happy, he was up with the pace. He jumped with his usual fluency and glided through the air.

Then the runners disappeared around the corner, out of my sight and I could no longer clearly hear the commentary. I waited anxiously for them to approach the final bend and held my binoculars to my eyes with shaking hands.

Would I see Best Mate close to the front? On the two occasions he had previously won the race, he had always been prominent when they had turned into the straight.

All of a sudden I spotted the runners. They were closely bunched, but there was no sign of Best Mate among them. Then I saw him: on the inside of the course, pulling wide of the fences. Instantly, I knew that something must be horribly wrong. My heart sank. He hadn’t been pulled up in any race since that very first point-to-point in Ireland. Indeed, on every other occasion, in the 21 races he had contested, he had finished in the first two. He had either won or been second.

In a flash, I was under the railings and making my way further down the track. Best Mate was approaching me in a trot and his stride appeared normal, but as he got closer he faltered and his gait changed. He veered across the course towards the outer railings, close to the last fence.

There was a lack of co-ordination in his hind limbs and his eyes were glazed. As he wobbled further, Paul jumped off in the nick of time, just before his mount gently keeled over on his right side onto the beautifully manicured green grass. I was with him instantly, but I knew immediately that his life was ebbing away.

Continued below…

Best Mate voted Horse of the Year

The steeplechasing superstar was crowned the British Horse Racing Board's Jump Horse of the Year

‘He took his last breath and lay motionless’

Some years before, I had been riding my treasured three-day event horse when he had suffered a heart attack and his behaviour had been exactly the same. The end was quick. Best Mate would have felt no pain. It was as though he was in a coma. He took his last breath and lay motionless. There was no struggle. His death was extremely peaceful.

A sudden numbness came over me. Was this for real, or a bad dream? In no time at all, I was surrounded by scores of spectators and members of the press. A new stand had been erected that day, beside the final fence. It was crammed with racegoers – most of them Best Mate fans. He had died in front of their eyes and they had seen everything first-hand. The shock was indescribable.

There was an eerie silence as people gathered around the fallen star, and then the dreaded green screens were put up so that the racegoers could no longer see him.

I took a grip of myself and remembered what my darling Mum had always instilled into us as children: don’t cry in public. I tried to blank out the full horror of the occasion. At least the horse hadn’t suffered – it would have been far worse if he had broken a leg.

But his supporters in the racing world had lost their idol. He had acquired a massive fan club and he could not possibly have lost his life more publicly. The race had been televised and millions of people had watched his dying moments. I needed to pull myself together and face up to the truth.

Terry came down the course as fast as he could to find me. He had watched the race unfold on the big screen beside the paddock. He put his arms around me and his eyes were full of tears, but we had a job to do and it was not the right time to mourn.

‘There were wet eyes and handkerchiefs everywhere’

People wandered about on the track in disbelief. Jim Lewis and his wife Valerie were totally shattered. There were wet eyes and handkerchiefs everywhere.

For my part, I went straight to Paul Carberry and kept the crowds away from him. I walked back beside him to the weighing room and he carried Best Mate’s saddle. It was a solemn walk but I needed to return to the buildings, as we had another runner, Racing Demon, in the following race. It was his first chase and there was no reason for him not to run. Racing had to continue. The gallant victor of the Haldon Gold Cup – Monkerhostin – was being greeted by his own supporters in the unsaddling enclosure, but the crowds were noticeably subdued.

I was approached by many people – they came up to me from all angles – but I managed to stay calm and talk sensibly. I even did a television interview on a racing channel. It wasn’t easy, but I stressed how lucky we were to have trained such a wonderful horse and I explained that he was born and bred to race.

He had died doing the job that he enjoyed and thankfully he had not suffered. I remembered the words of Byron: ‘Those whom the gods love, die young.’ I remember saying to the press that all horses have to die some time – we all have to go – but it’s doubly tragic when it happens so unexpectedly.

Racing Demon, with Timmy Murphy, duly won the novice chase. This, too, was an extremely moving occasion. As I walked to greet the horse, Timmy put out his gloved hand and gave my own hand a tight squeeze. When he walked into the winner’s enclosure, the crowd gave Demon a huge reception.

There were massive cheers and I remember saying to Timmy: ‘This is unbelievable.’ He said: ‘They do have hearts, you know.’ I will never forget that demonstration of affection. It touched me immensely.

Not enough time: My Life With Terry Biddlecombe is published by Head of ZeusPrice: £20Visit: www.headofzeus.com

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Popular former National Hunt trainer Henrietta Knight has written a new book, which is out today (Thursday, 8 October).

“Not Enough Time, my life with Terry Biddlecombe” reflects on Henrietta’s marriage to her late husband Terry.

The book is billed as a “rollercoaster story of a great love” and a “story of triumph and tragedy in equal measures”.

The pair trained popular chaser Best Mate, who famously won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times in a row. The gelding sadly died in 2005 when he suffered suspected heart attack at Exeter racecourse.

Henrietta and Terry were an usual pairing, she a bluestocking biology teacher, he a “hell-raising ex-champion jockey”, with alcoholism and two failed marriages behind him. The pair married in 1995.

Terry died last January aged 72. He suffered a stroke in 2011 and Henrietta retired from training in May 2012 to care for him.

As a jockey Terry was champion in 1965, 1966 and jointly with Bob Davies in 1969. He won the 1967 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Woodland Venture and finished 2nd on Gay Trip in the 1972 Grand National.

He played a major part helping Henrietta with training at West Lockinge Farm in Oxfordshire. The pair enjoyed much success.

When Henrietta gave up training, her horses went to Mick Channon. She remains involved with racing as well as breeding and showing Connemaras. She is also a showing judge.

After Terry died, Best Mate’s owner Jim Lewis said: “They were known as the odd couple, but in actual fact there was nothing odd about them at all. They were simply madly in love with each other.”

The book is published by Head of Zeus and costs £20.

It is Henrietta’s third book, after writing “Best Mate: Chasing Gold” and “Best Mate: Triple Gold”.

Read an extract of the book

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Henrietta Knight is to be the style judge at the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) racing to hunting challenge later this month at Cheltenham.

Henrietta, who famously trained Gold Cup hero Best Mate, will be returning to the Gloucestershire track, but this time in the role of a judge.

Already a showing judge and a Connemara breeder, she is sure to have a sharp eye for style.

“Thoroughbred horses are invariably a joy to ride and train. Over the years they have won medals, in many different disciplines at Olympic Games. Nowadays, it is great to see so much interest in the retrained racehorse series,” said Henrietta.

“Classes at all the major shows continue to well-filled and many riders are finding ex-racehorses a pleasure to produce.

“The jumping classes are proving extremely popular and are a credit to the RoR. It is wonderful to know that there are more outlets for racehorses when they come out of full training. It provides a great boost to the industry and demonstrates to racehorse owners that there is another life for their horses after racing.”

The RoR Meriel Tufnell racing to hunting challenge is now in its third year and is increasing in popularity. Entries are still open but must be in by Monday (10 November).

The competition will take place on Sunday 16 November before racing at Cheltenham. Commentator Mike Tucker will build the course, which will include cross-country fences already on the track, as well as additional obstacles such as a gate to open and shut.

Riders will also have to take a glass of port from a tray. As well as the style points there is also a timed section.

Di Arbuthnot of the charity said: “This is really what the RoR is all about — life after racing, and this is a fantastic day, which everyone enjoys taking part in as well as watching.”

Ian Renton of Jockey Club Racecourses added: “We are delighted the challenge is returning to Cheltenham. It is great to see some of the retired racehorses competing in their new skills at the home of jump racing”.

Each entry costs £22.50.

More information here

To see what other ex-racehorses are up to in retirement, don’t miss H&H’s National Hunt special, out tomorrow (Thursday 6 November).

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Terry Biddlecombe, the former champion jockey, is to be honoured at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

The National Hunt Chase on Tuesday 11 March will be run in memory of Terry, who died in January aged 72.

Terry won 9 races at the Festival in the 1960s and 1970s, including the Gold Cup on Woodland Venture in 1967.

More recently, he assisted his wife, the former trainer Henrietta Knight, to produce treble Gold Cup champion Best Mate, besides 4 other Festival successes, which included dual winner Edredon Bleu.

Ms Knight said it was a “great honour” to have the 4-mile chase named after her husband.

“Terry would have been very touched,” she said. “Cheltenham always was his favourite racecourse. I would like to thank everyone involved for making this possible.”

Ian Renton, The Jockey Club’s regional director for the south-west, said: “Terry always loved Cheltenham and I’m sure had many happy memories from the course, both during his riding career and the years when he and Henrietta were training.

“It is only fitting that he is remembered at this year’s Festival.”

The National Hunt Chase is frequently run in tribute to a famous racing figure, such as Peter O’Sullevan and the late Lord John Oaksey. Terry Biddlecombe’s name will be carried for 1 year.

Terry’s memorial service took place at the racecourse on Monday (17 February).

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Henrietta Knight is recovering from surgery to a badly-broken ankle, just weeks after the death of her husband, Terry Biddlecombe.

The 3-times Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer slipped on concrete while rounding up her geese on Saturday evening (25 January), breaking her right ankle and 2 bones in her leg.

Hen, 67, had an operation in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford later that night to pin and plate the ankle.

“It is just a terrible shock,” she said. “I could see there was something wrong because the foot was facing the other way.

“I was crawling around and shouting for people. The ambulance was very quick in coming and they put me in a cast and took me off,” she added

It has been a traumatic month for Hen. Her husband — former champion jump jockey Terry Biddlecombe died on 5 January.

Hen described him as “not only my husband but also the best friend that I will ever have”.

Terry’s life will be celebrated at the Cheltenham Festival in March and Hen is determined to be there — though it sounds as if she will need to use a wheelchair.

She said: “I think they will definitely keep me in [hospital] for another week because they don’t want to risk any infection and I won’t be able to put any weight on the leg for 3 months.”

Hen is running operations at her West Lockinge Farm, near Wantage, from her hospital bed. She handed in her trainer’s licence in May 2012 after Terry suffered a stroke, but has horses in pre-training and schooling livery and continues to breed Connemaras.

Mick Channon — who took on Hen’s jumpers on her retirement from racing — tweeted this morning (29 January):

“Saw Hen last night. She’s in great form considering and sends her thanks to all.”

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Three-time champion jump jockey Terry Biddlecombe has died aged 72.

Terry, who was married to former trainer Henrietta Knight, suffered a stroke in 2011. Henrietta retired from training in May 2012 to care for him. He died on Sunday (5 January).

An update on Henrietta Knight’s Facebook page yesterday read: “Sadly, Terry died peacefully after breakfast this morning with Henrietta by his side.”

As a jockey Terry was champion in 1965, 1966 and jointly with Bob Davies in 1969. He won the 1967 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Woodland Venture and finished 2nd on Gay Trip in the 1972 Grand National.

He played a major part helping Henrietta with training at West Lockinge Farm in Oxfordshire. The pair enjoyed much success — particularly with 3 times Cheltenham Gold Cup winner (2002-04) Best Mate.

When Henrietta gave up training, her horses went to Mick Channon. She remains involved with racing as well as breeding and showing Connemaras.

Mick tweeted yesterday: “Racing lost a true icon today. Others lost a friend, husband and father who made life full of fun. Terry Biddlecombe was a star.”

Hundreds of tributes from across the racing world flooded twitter in Terry’s memory.

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Business is booming for National Hunt’s leading lady, Henrietta “Hen” Knight, who handed in her trainers’ licence last May to focus on preparing young horses for racing and eventing.

Hen, who trained Best Mate to win three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups, wound down her National Hunt career just over six months ago to spend more time with her husband Terry Biddlecombe, who suffered a stroke last year.

“We have around 25 horses in at the moment, but there is room for more,” Hen told H&H. “We have a mixture of youngsters to start off and older horses who have had problems jumping.”

Hen has teamed up with renowned racing and eventing coach Yogi Breisner, who visits her West Lockinge yard weekly.

“Yogi and I sing off the same hymn sheet. We both believe that any horse’s jump can be improved with the correct training,” she said.

“We have fantastic facilities here — a loose jumping pen, cross-country fences and acres of hacking — so our horses enjoy life and get a well-rounded education. It’s satisfying to see them go on and do well.”

When Hen retired, most of her string went to her neighbour, trainer Mick Channon. The pair continue to work closely together with Flat horses and jumpers.

“Dominic [Elsworth, the yard’s regular jockey] does a lot of the schooling, but I have also taken on a couple of event riders to help with pre-training,” said Hen.

“We have Mary Edmundson here at the moment and [national under-21 champion] Lucy Loughton spent a few months with us last autumn.

“Event riders tend to be good with racehorses. They are prepared to take the time to educate them and give them confidence.”

Hen, also a prolific showing judge, is still overseeing the production of her home-bred Connemara youngstock.

“There’s certainly enough going on at the moment. In the future I would like to run some one-day training clinics here for grass-roots riders covering flatwork and jumping, and maybe some showing masterclasses,” she said.

This news story was first published was in the current issue of H&H (10 January 2013)

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Henrietta “Hen” Knight – the trainer of more than 700 winners, including legendary Gold Cup hero Best Mate – has revealed to H&H she is retiring from racing.

The announcement comes seven months after Hen’s husband, three-times champion jockey Terry Biddlecombe, suffered a debilitating stroke.

“I feel that I can’t go on training since Terry’s stroke,” said Hen.

She admitted it was an “emotional” decision to make.

But the 65-year-old – who has finished in the top 12 at Badminton and breeds and shows Connemaras – won’t be giving up all her equestrian interests just yet.

Don’t miss this week’s H&H for the full interview, including Hen’s top five moments in racing plus her plans for the future.

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Former National Hunt trainer Henrietta Knight was born in 1946 and has lived on her Oxfordshire farm, West Lockinge, all her life.

After leaving school, Hen attended Oxford University before embarking on a career teaching history and biology.

In her early forties she decided to leave teaching behind and acquired her trainers’ licence in July 1989. This followed a wealth of success on the amateur circuit, having trained over 100 point-to-point winners between 1984 and 1989.

Hen’s first winner under Rules was at Bangor in August 1989 with The Grey Gunner. But her first major success didn’t come until 1996 when she won the Glenlivet Hurdle at Aintree with Stompin.

A year later Karshi took the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and a succession of big race wins followed.

During her career she has trained over 700 winners, saddling the popular chasers Edredon Bleu, Racing Demon, Calgary Bay and Somersby. But Hen is most famously associated with the legendary Best Mate, who took the Gold Cup for three consecutive years (2002, 2003 and 2004).

In 1995 she married three-times champion jockey Terry Biddlecombe, and in 2003 the couple won the “Timeform” award for racing personalities of the year. In the same year Hen was named Channel 4 racing personality of the year.

At the end of 2011 Terry suffered a debilitating stroke that contributed to Hen’s decision to give up training in May 2012.

Following her retirement, she plans to remain closely involved in racing and hopes to run a pre-training and schooling yard for racehorses and pointers.

Hen is an all-round horsewoman. Shefinished 12th at Badminton in 1973, is a renowned Connemara breeder and was chairman of the horse trials senior selection committee between 1984-88, which included selecting the silver medal winning team for the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

To read H&H’s exclusive interview with Hen about her decision to retire, see the current issue of H&H (24 May 2012)

View pictures of Hen at home in Oxfordshire

Do you want to read all the latest racing news?

A thanksgiving service for the life of riding instructor Lorna Payne will be held in Lambourn today.

Lorna – whose former pupils include Daisy Berkeley, Henrietta Knight and jockeys Michael and Richard Hills – died on 15 January, aged 93.

“Lorna was strict but patient and made riding fun,” Henrietta recalled.

“I was lucky enough to have had lessons from her as a child and rode several of her show ponies, even winning a class for her at the Bath and West in the 1950s.”

The service, at Church of the Sacred Heart, Lambourn, is being held today, 25 February at noon.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (23 February 2012)

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Terry Biddlecombe, the former jockey and husband of trainer Henrietta Knight, is back home after suffering a stroke last weekend.

“He is shaky and frail and has lost a lot of weight – could soon ride at 10 stone! – but he is sitting up in bed,” Henrietta Knight wrote on their website.

“He has had a few small walks, and his voice is improving. I’m sure he will be watching racing at Cheltenham and Ascot at the weekend. He is following the whip debate, and is disappointed that Richard Hughes has handed in his licence.”

Terry suffered a stroke on Saturday 8 October and was being treated recovering in John Radcliffe hospital in Oxfordshire.

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National hunt trainer Henrietta Knight and husband Terry Biddlecombe will be preparing for one of the year’s busiest day’s racing at their West Lockinge yard.

“We usually have horses racing on Boxing Day so Christmas is very busy. Terry and I feed the horses at 5am as usual. About three-quarters of the staff work on Christmas Day — they come in early (6-6.30am) so they can leave mid-morning and then will come back in the evening to finish off.

“We have about 60 horses on the yard that need to be exercised. A few local jockeys come in to ride out too. We give the staff drinks and sausage rolls on Christmas Eve and any staff who want to go home to their families will be rota’d off.

“When everyone has left mid-morning, Terry and I enjoy the peace and quiet. I cook turkey with all the trimmings for lunch and we might have a friend over to join us, otherwise it’s just the two of us. Anyone who has horses and animals knows that even though it’s Christmas, you have to keep going.”

This was first published in Horse & Hound (8 November, ’07)

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Henrietta Knight and her husband and assistant trainer Terry Biddlecombe have been named ITV Sporting Midlanders of the Year for services to horse racing.

The annual ITV Midlander of the Year Awards honour those who have increased the prestige of the Midlands or who have made an outstanding contribution to the social, political, industrial or cultural and sporting life in the region.

Ms Knight and Mr Biddlecombe are probably best known as trainers of Best Mate, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002 and 2003 and is currently favourite to win the race for the third consecutive year on 18 March.

Ms Knight said that they were “chuffed to bits at being given the award. I didn’t even know of its existence until Carlton sent us a letter telling us that we had won. But it’s a really nice thing to have been awarded.”

Neither Ms Knight nor Mr Biddlecombe attended the awards ceremony on Saturday 7 February. Instead, they were presented with the award at their yard in Wantage, with Best Mate standing by.

“It was much more appropriate that they presented it here, with the horse too, since it is mainly down to him that we have been awarded it”, Ms Knight told HHO.

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