On Boxing Day (26 December), we will be treated to the sight of some of the greatest National Hunt horses currently in training in the UK going head-to-head in the King George VI Chase, a horse race that has become synonymous with Boxing Day.

Here are 13 things you need to know about this great race…

1. The King George VI Chase first ran in 1937 and was named after the newly crowned king.

2. The first race was won by Southern Hero who, to-date, remains the oldest winner of the race at 12 years old.

3. It is held during the Christmas Festival at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey.

4. The race is over a distance of three miles and consists of 18 chase fences.

5. It was only run twice before World War II, during which Kempton Park was closed for racing and used as a prisoner-of-war camp.

6. The most successful horse to run in the King George VI is Kauto Star (pictured top alongside Long Run), who won it a remarkable five times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011).

7. The leading jockey of the King George VI Chase is Ruby Walsh, who won it five times — all aboard Kauto Star.

8. The leading trainer over the race’s history is Paul Nicholls — See More Business (1997, 1999), Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), Silviniaco Conti (2013, 2014), Clan Des Obeaux (2018, 2019) and Bravemansgame (2022).

9. The great grey, Desert Orchid won the race four times before bowing out in the 1991 race. He attended Kempton Park to parade every Boxing Day until his death in 2006, aged 27.

10. It is a Grade One race and this year offers £148,098 in prize money to the winner.

11. The race will be shown live on ITV and RacingTV at 2.30pm.

12. The current betting market for the 2024 running of the race has Spillane’s Tower, who is trained by Irish trainer James Joseph Mangan, as the favourite, in what is a top class line-up for this season’s renewal.

Who are the runners in the 2024 race?

Let’s take a look at this year‘s runners and riders, plus their odds, so that if you fancy it, you can have a flutter.

These runners and riders, plus the odds, are correct as of 23 December. Odds may vary depending on your bookmaker.

Horse: Spillane’s Tower | Jockey: Mark Walsh

Trainer: James Joseph Mangan | Odds: 7/2

Horse: Grey Dawning | Jockey: Harry Skelton

Trainer: Dan Skelton | Odds: 5/1

Horse: Il Est Francais | Jockey: James Reveley 

Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm | Odds: 5/1

Horse: Banbridge | Jockey: TBC 

Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien | Odds: 6/1

Horse: Corbetts Cross | Jockey: Mr Derek O’Connor 

Trainer: Emmet Mullins | Odds: 12/1

Horse: L’Homme Presse | Jockey: Charlie Deutsch

Trainer: Venetia Williams | Odds: 12/1

Horse: Envoi Allen | Jockey: Rachael Blackmore 

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead | Odds: 16/1

Horse: Bravemansgame | Jockey: Harry Cobden 

Trainer: Paul Nicholls | Odds: 20/1

Horse: Juntos Gananmos | Jockey: Felix De Giles 

Trainer: D Cottin | Odds: 22/1

Horse: The Real Whacker | Jockey: Gavin Sheehan 

Trainer: Patrick Neville | Odds: 33/1

Horse: General En Chef | Jockey: Benjamin Gelhay 

Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm | Odds: 100/1

How do I place a bet on the King George VI Chase?

Follow our complete guide on how best to bet to find out more.

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As we build-up to Cheltenham Festival week (11–14 March), we take a look back at one of the greatest Gold Cup winners of all time, Kauto Star, who was the only horse to regain victory in the race after a bad run in between years.

By Julian Muscat

The era of steeplechasers excelling at a variety of trips had all but run its course by the new millennium’s dawn. Desert Orchid was the last of this rare and exciting breed, and he had left the stage 10 years earlier. 

Yet just when the concept of one horse dominating over all distances seemed like wishful thinking, along came a bay gelding with a broad white blaze who would do precisely that.

Kauto Star – for six years from 2005 he was peerless over any distance. It all came alike to the steeplechaser who won the King George VI Chase a record five times, the Betfair Chase four times, the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice and the Tingle Creek Chase on both occasions he contested the two-mile feature.

“There’s no question he would have won several Champion Chases over two miles had we asked him to do that,” asserts his trainer, Paul Nicholls. 

Needless to say, we have not seen his like since.

Jockey Ruby Walsh reflects. “Kauto Star picked up two injuries as a young horse and would have some heavy falls later, but it never frightened him. He was brave, hard and strong of mind as well as being physically strong.”

Those attributes became self-evident during the 2006–07 season, when Kauto Star swept all before him. He started by winning over two-and-a-half miles before Paul stepped him up to three miles for the first time in the Betfair Chase, in which he toyed with a high-class field to win by 17 lengths.

“That was a special day,” Ruby says. “It told us that he stayed; that he could be a Gold Cup horse. He was so strong, and I remember thinking: ‘This is different.’ I could feel his power through the reins even though I was trying to conserve him, and I only quickened up for one furlong. There was so much left in the tank. It was unbelievable.”

Kauto Star was inexorably on the march, although Paul made one last nod to the past. Two weeks after the Betfair Chase, in which the horse looked like a Gold Cup winner in waiting, Paul audaciously saddled him for the Tingle Creek Chase back over two miles.

“Six days before the Tingle Creek, I told Ruby I was thinking of running him and he said we’d spent all this time teaching him to settle; why take him back into a speed test?,” Paul relates. “Then Ruby rang me back two minutes later to say we could all be dead tomorrow; let’s run.”

The outcome was another facile victory, after which Kauto Star won his first King George VI Chase at Kempton – and 10 weeks later, his first Gold Cup at Cheltenham. It was a flawless campaign.

Kauto Star would dominate thereafter despite losing his Gold Cup crown to stablemate Denman in 2008, when he put in a shoddy round of jumping. But he avenged that defeat the following year when he strode clean away from Denman to win by 13 lengths.

“He was magnificent that day; he won as he liked,” owner Clive Smith enthused, prior to his death. “He was the first horse to reclaim the Gold Cup, having lost it the year before, and he was given the highest [official] rating of any horse since Arkle.”

A third Gold Cup beckoned in 2010, but Kauto Star blundered badly on the first circuit before he fell at the fourth-last. Then he lost his aura of invincibility. He was roundly beaten by Long Run, five years his junior, in both the King George and the Gold Cup before he was ignominiously pulled up at Punchestown.

However, just when he looked spent, he came again the following season. Kauto Star brought the house down in winning his fourth Betfair Chase and his fifth King George, both times from Long Run.

“They were the two races I enjoyed most of all,” Paul says. “People were saying he should have been retired and we were being greedy. My neck was on the chopping block but at home he was in the form of his life, definitely as good going into his 12th year as at any other stage in his career.”

Although Ruby and Clive were of a similar mindset, a schooling fall ahead of the 2012 Gold Cup shook Kauto Star to the core. There would be no last improbable act in a career of multiple comebacks; Kauto Star was pulled up early in the race and bound for retirement.

His legacy? “Without any doubt he was the horse of a lifetime,” Paul says. “In addition to his class, he was sound and resilient while the likes of Long Run and the others all fell away.”

Ruby does not hesitate to describe Kauto Star as the best horse he rode in a long and distinguished career. 

“He was a superstar who had so much speed and ability,” he says, “and he kept on coming back. He was just an unbelievable racehorse.”

As for Clive, the memories lingered. 

“I was there for every one of his 31 races. I was nervous when watching him and was always glad when he’d jumped the first few fences, after which I wasn’t so concerned for his safety. He was absolutely special; I was in awe of him.”

Paul is not overly sentimental himself but his voice drops an octave when asked what life has been like since Kauto Star’s retirement. 

“I’ve been lucky enough to have had some very good horses,” says the 12-time champion trainer. “It will be virtually impossible to find another like Kauto Star – but that won’t stop me trying.” 

Kauto Star: how his story started

Kauto Star’s story was punctuated by highs and lows throughout a stellar career. It started in France, where he won four of his 10 outings before his transfer to Paul’s Somerset stables. His prowess was such that he’d earned the sobriquet “l’Extraterrestre”.

France is where Kauto Star might have stayed but for an unlikely sequence of events. In May 2004, three days before Kauto Star won a Grade Three hurdle race at Auteuil, Clive left the auction ring at Doncaster unsure whether to laugh or cry. His bid of 520,000 guineas for Garde Champetre, a promising novice hurdler, was trumped by JP McManus, who’d bid a further 10,000 guineas to secure the horse.

In consequence, Clive had a stash burning a hole in his pocket. He’d been alerted to Kauto Star’s availability and was sufficiently interested to send a vet to the stables of Serge Foucher, who trained the horse in north-west France. But Kauto Star would not play ball.

“The vet rang me from France to say Kauto Star had refused point blank to be scoped,” Clive recalled of the procedure to assess a horse’s breathing mechanism. “That had happened before, apparently. Other people had tried to buy him but pulled out because of it. After the implications were explained to me, I thought: ‘Well, let’s buy him anyway.’”

Six months after Kauto Star’s arrival in Britain, Paul rang his stable jockey, Ruby, with the promise of a festive gift. 

“I entered the horse at Newbury just after Christmas and told Ruby I had something for him to look forward to,” Paul relates. “And I’ll always remember the smile on Ruby’s face when he came back into the winner’s enclosure. He didn’t need to say anything.”

Ruby was blown away. 

“It was a good novices’ chase and he absolutely bolted in,” he says. “It was like he never came out of second gear.”

For all that, Ruby didn’t feel Kauto Star was a legend in the making. 

“I was just hoping he would make up into a horse for the Arkle Chase [for two-mile novice chasers],” he recalls. “I had no idea he would go on to achieve what he did.”

Then calamity struck. Kauto Star was cantering to victory on his next start at Exeter when he fell at the second-last. Ruby scrambled to remount, after which the combination rallied, despite a final-flight blunder, to come up narrowly short in a photo-finish. Insult was added to injury when Kauto Star returned home with a hock fracture that sidelined him for 10 months.

Paul believes the setback might have been a blessing in disguise. 

“It certainly didn’t do the horse any harm,” he suggests. “It meant he had plenty of time to fill out. He just got bigger, better and stronger.”

There were issues on another front, however. Kauto Star was proving a handful, so much so that when he moved into the top yard at Ditcheat in the summer of 2005, nobody wanted to ride him out. The task was finally delegated to Clifford Baker, a former jockey and Paul’s long-standing right-hand man.

“He was sharp when he was out in the lanes,” Clifford relates, “but I’ll never forget the first time I rode him on the gallops. He went from one end to the other and gave me a feel I’d never had from another horse, before or since. He tanked all the way up the hill – and he’d only been in for a week. I was amazed.”

In hindsight, these formative essays were the making of Kauto Star. He was proud and impetuous, having proved difficult to break in. Great store was set in encouraging him to relax, although he was too much his own man to acquiesce entirely.

“He hated traffic,” Clifford recalls. “One day he kicked a car on the road and put the biggest dent in the door you’ve ever seen. He’d often whip round and take me the wrong way, ducking about all over the place, but when he was on the gallops he was a real pro.”

Clifford isn’t prone to take horses into his heart, but Kauto Star was different. 

“I rode him for the best part of eight years,” Clifford relates. “We had our hiccups here and there, but he was a real pleasure to ride. I’d never been sentimental about a horse before him, and I haven’t been since.”

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While many, many brilliant thoroughbreds have made their mark on the racecourses around the world during their Flat or National Hunt careers, far fewer have stolen the hearts and minds of the public to become truly famous racehorses. So what is it that makes a successful horse into a one widely regarded as a “people’s horse”?

In the vast majority of cases, as well as winning important races, the most famous horses have a back story that racing fans – and the media — are interested in. Those horses who stick around for multiple seasons – an achievement that is easier for most National Hunt horses than those racing on the Flat — have the time for a wider fan base to develop.

With some famous racehorses, the story is almost as much about the people who are around them – Bob Champion with Aldaniti and Sir Henry Cecil with Frankel for example – as it is the horse itself. And not every horse becomes famous during their racing career. The fame of the late, great Galileo only grew after he retired and became the world’s most influential sire, while Shergar’s fame exploded when he went missing, never to be seen again.

As for deciding which horses deserve the title of “most famous racehorses ever”, that’s a tricky task to undertake but we’ve challenged ourselves to take it on, so here is our selection of some of the most famous racehorses of all time…

Horse & Hound’s most famous racehorses

Frankel

Foaled on 11 February 2008, Frankel is now retired from racing and is standing at stud. The British-based horse was unbeaten in his 14-race career and was the highest-rated racehorse in the world from May 2011. By Galileo, Frankel amassed £2,998,302 during his three-year Flat racing career. He was trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil and ridden in his races by Tom Queally. His race record is remarkable and includes wins in the 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes, International Stakes and Champion Stakes.

Red Rum

Red Rum jumped his way into the public’s heart with his three Aintree Grand National wins (1973, 1974 and 1977). Born on 7 May 1965, the prolific steeplechaser was renowned for his jumping ability, having not fallen in 100 races. He remains the only horse to have won the Grand National three times. The 1973 race in which Red Rum secured his comeback victory from 30 lengths behind is often considered one of the greatest Grand Nationals in history. Trained by Ginger McCain and owned by Noel le Mare, he also won the 1974 Scottish National and amassed over £146,000 in prize money throughout his career. He died on 18 October 1995 and remains one of the most famous racehorses to have ever entertained the public over fences.

Galileo

Galileo (30 March 1998 – 10 July 2021) enjoyed a successful Flat racing career (six wins from eight starts as a two- and three-year-old), but it was as a sire that he made his indelible mark on the racing industry as the most successful thoroughbred stallion of all time. After winning The Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001, he was named the 2001 European Champion Three-Year-Old Colt. After retirement, Galileo became one of the most sought after sires in the world. First crowned leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2008, he then consecutively earned the title from 2010 until 2020. In 2020, he set the record for the number of Derby winners sired at five: New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine. At the time of his death he had sired 91 Group One winners, while 20 of his sons – including Frankel and Australia – have also sired Group One victors.

Arkle

Named after a mountain in Sutherland, Scotland that bordered the Duchess of Westminster’s Sutherland estate, Arkle (19 April 1957 – 31 May 1970) won three Cheltenham Gold Cups before his career was brought to a premature end by an injury. Owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, he was trained by Tom Dreaper at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan in County Meath, Ireland, and ridden during his steeplechasing career by Pat Taaffe. At 212, his Timeform rating is the highest ever awarded to a steeplechaser.

Desert Orchid

Desert Orchid (11 April 1979 – 13 November 2006) has been described as “the most charismatic racehorse of the 20th century”. Adored by his public, at its height Dessie-mania was just as impassioned as Beatle-mania. Trained by David Elsworth, ‘Dessie’ won a remarkable four King George VI Chases, a Cheltenham Gold Cup, an Irish Grand National and a Tingle Creek, among many others. During his racing career he was partnered by five different jump jockeys: Colin Brown, Richard Linley, Simon Sherwood, Graham Bradley and Richard Dunwoody. Desert Orchid won 34 of his 70 starts, amassing £654,066 in prize money, but he never ran in the Grand National at Aintree as he was “too beloved” by the public.

Secretariat

Champion American Flat horse Secretariat (30 March 1970 – 4 October 1989) won the American Triple Crown, setting and still holding the fastest time record in all three races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. During his racing career, he won five Eclipse Awards, including Horse of the Year honours when he was two and three years old. Trained by Lucien Laurin, “Big Red” as he was also known, amassed over $1.316m in prize money. His win in the Belmont Stakes was record-breaking, storming home 31 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Kauto Star

Record-breaking Kauto Star (19 March 2000 – 29 June 2015) earnt his place in the record books – and any list of famous racehorses – with five wins in the King George VI Chase. The French-bred National Hunt champion racehorse, who was trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith, also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, in 2007 and 2009. He earned a total of £3,775,883 in prize money and bonuses. He was the top-rated steeplechaser during the 2006/7, 2008/9, 2009/10 and 2011/12 season, winning the Tingle Creek Chase in both 2005 and 2006 and the Betfair Chase four times in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011.

Winx

Winx (foaled 14 September 2011) won 33 consecutive races as a Flat horse, predominantly in Australia. These victories included 25 Group One races, amassing over £14m in prize money. Winx became the first horse in history to win the prestigious Cox Plate four times. She retired on 13 April 2019 at Randwick racecourse after winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for the third time. She is now a broodmare. Trained by Chris Waller, Winx was the world’s top-ranked filly or mare and the world’s top-ranked turf horse in 2016. She retained this ranking in 2017 and in 2018 was co-ranked as the best horse in the world.

American Pharoah

American Pharoah (foaled 2 February 2012) won the American Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2015. He won nine of his 11 starts and amassed $8,650,300 in prize money for his connections. This famous racehorse now stands at stud at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. He was bred and owned throughout his racing career by Ahmed Zayat, trained by Bob Baffert, and ridden in most of his races by Victor Espinoza. He was the American Champion Two-Year-Old in 2014 and the American Champion Three-Year-Old in 2015, and was also the American Horse of the Year in 2015.

Denman

Fondly known as “The Tank”, Denman (17 April 2000 – 5 June 2018) was a much-loved National Hunt horse, who was trained by Paul Nicholls during his illustrious career. He won 14 of his 24 races, including the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Hennessy Gold Cup in both 2007 and 2009. He was well-known for his rivalry with stable mate Kauto Star throughout his career. Owned by Paul Barber and Maggie Findlay, Denman had a front-running style and was tough and gutsy, which caught the imagination and hearts of racing fans during his career.

Enable

Enable (foaled 12 February 2014) is one of the great horses of modern day Flat racing. During her career, which ran from November 2016 to October 2020, she won 15 of her 19 races, including 11 Group One races. She amassed over £10m in prize money for her owner, the late Khalid Abdullah, who also owned Frankel. She was trained by John Gosden and ridden predominantly by Frankie Dettori, who regularly documented his love for this horse. She won the Cheshire Oaks, Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, three King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes’, the Yorkshire Oaks and two Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes. She also won the Breeders’ Cup Turf, becoming the first Arc winner to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf in the same year. She has retired to stud as a broodmare.

Best Mate

Best Mate (28 January 1995 – 1 November 2005) was a three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup between 2002 and 2004. He was much-loved by the public and trained by Henrietta Knight to win 14 of his 22 races, and finished second in seven more. He also won the King George VI Chase in 2002 and amassed over £1m in prize money. Best Mate never fell at a fence or hurdle. Of the seven races in which he finished second, five were Grade One races, and two were Grade Two races. Jim Culloty was Best Mate’s jockey for most of his biggest successes and he was owned by Jim Lewis. This famous racehorse suffered a suspected heart attack and died in front of his adoring fans while racing at Exeter.

Seabiscuit

The subject of books and films, Seabiscuit (23 May 1933 – 17 May 1947) was a champion Flat horse in the United States who became the top money-winning racehorse up to the 1940s. He beat the 1937 Triple-Crown winner, War Admiral, by four lengths in a two-horse special at Pimlico and was voted the 1938 American Horse of the Year. He only won a quarter of his first 40 races, but after moving to trainer Tom Smith, he went on to achieve great things. Among the many books and films documenting this famous racehorse’s life, the movie Seabiscuit, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Aldaniti

Aldaniti (25 June 1970 – 28 March 1997) won the Grand National in 1981. His jockey on that day, Bob Champion, had recovered from cancer, while Aldaniti had recovered after suffering a career-threatening injury. The horse was trained by Josh Gifford and owned by Nick Embiricos. Aldaniti starred as himself in the 1983 film Champions alongside John Hurt. He finished third in the 1979 Cheltenham Gold Cup and second in the Scottish Grand National. He sustained a serious leg injury at Sandown in November 1979 and was off the racecourse for over a year, which made his Grand National win all the more remarkable.

Shergar

No list of famous racehorses would be complete without Shergar (3 March 1978 – c. February 1983), who was bred and owned by HH Aga Khan IV and trained by Michael Stoute in Newmarket. From his eight races, he won six, including the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, all in 1981. After this successful season, he was retired to the Ballymany Stud in County Kildare, Ireland. In 1983 he was stolen from the stud, and a ransom of £2m was demanded; it was not paid, and negotiations were soon broken off by the thieves. In 1999 a supergrass, formerly in the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), stated they stole the horse. The IRA has never admitted any role in the theft and the horse was never found.

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Find out everything you need to know about National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls.

1. Paul Nicholls, born on 17 April 1972, is a British National Hunt trainer based at Manor Farm, Ditcheat in Somerset.

2. Nicholls left school at the age of 16 to work at a local point-to-point yard and in 1982 he became a conditional jockey under trainer Josh Gifford.

3. In 1984 he joined David Barons as stable jockey and enjoyed some notable successes, including back-to-back wins in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury with Broadheath in 1986 and Playschool the following year.

4. However, due to injury, he retired as a jockey in 1989 having ridden 133 winners over a seven-year career.

5. He then served a two-year apprenticeship as assistant trainer to Barons before taking out his own trainer’s licence in 1991.

6. Paul Nicholls began renting Manor Farm, Ditcheat from a local dairy farmer, Paul Barber, and had just eight horses in training to begin with.

7. His first winner, Olveston, was owned by Nicholls’ father and named after the South Gloucestershire village where he grew up.

8. His career developed steadily but the 1999 Cheltenham Festival, however, was to mark the start of Nicholls’ real success when he won the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Call Equiname, the Arkle Chase with Flagship Uberalles and the Cheltenham Gold Cup with See More Business.

9. At the end of the 2005-2006 season Nicholls was crowned champion National Hunt trainer for the first time. He has now been crowned champion National Hunt trainer 11 times.

10. Paul Nicholls trained his 50th Grade One winner in December 2008 when Master Minded — ridden by AP McCoy — won the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.

11. Irish jockey Ruby Walsh played a central role in Nicholls’ success, including winning the 2007 and 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cups for him aboard Kauto Star. Sam Thomas won the same race aboard Denman in 2008. After the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, he had racked up 45 Festival winners.

Article continues below…

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12. Kauto Star and Walsh won the King George VI Chase at Kempton a record five times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011). Nicholls has more recently won this race with Silviniaco Conti (2013, 2014), Clan Des Obeaux (2018, 2019) and Frodon (2020).

13. Nicholls won the Grand National in 2012 with veteran chaser Neptune Collonges ridden by Daryl Jacob.

14. Paul is married to Georgie Brown and he has three daughters. His eldest daughter, Megan, from his second marriage is a professional Flat jockey.

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 out more about getting the magazine delivered to your door every week.

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Where and when?

Kempton Park racecourse, Surrey on 26 December 2011

What happened?

When the Paul Nicholls’ trained Kauto Star stormed to victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day in 2011, he ripped up the record books, taking the title for a record fifth time and beating Desert Orchid’s four King George triumphs.

Kauto Star, who started at 3-1, jumped the final fences perfectly and just tired a touch on the run-in, allowing the staying-on Long Run to get to his tail — but the crowd erupted as Kauto Star passed the post in front.

Bred in France by Mrs Henri Aubert (Village Star x Port Etienne), the bay gelding was owned by Clive Smith. He first won the King George in 2006 under Ruby Walsh, and proceeded to win it with the jockey in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 — just missing out in 2010 to Long Run.

“He’s amazing,” said Paul Nicholls after his 2011 win. “I knew we had him in serious order. He’s just the best.”

Ruby Walsh joked: “He’s got the hang of it now, hasn’t he?”

The late commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan said: “That was lovely to see. This is just a marvellous racehorse and a wonderful training performance from Paul Nicholls to keep him sound and enthusiastic for so long and keep improving him.”

During his career, Kauto Star won £3,775,883, including taking the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 and 2009. He also won the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park in 2005 and 2006.

What happened next?

After his retirement he moved to event rider Laura Collet’s yard in Lambourn to be retrained for dressage. The popular gelding was put down at the age of 15 following a field accident in June 2015, and a box of his ashes were laid to rest under his statue at Kempton Park.

There is also a bar named after him at Kempton Park, packed with memorabilia of his successes, that opened in February 2012.

For the full report and analysis from the 2017 King George VI Chase, don’t miss the 4 January 2018 issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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Sporting stars have paid tribute to National Hunt hero Kauto Star’s incredible achievement as the trophy in his name for one of jump racing’s toughest challenges is unveiled.

The Paul Nicholls-trained chaser is the only horse to have won the £1 million Jockey Club’s Chase Triple Crown, which begins today (25 November) with the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

The 32 Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in March complete the trio of races in the challenge.

Any horse who can replicated Kauto Star’s 2007 achievement in one season will take home the £1 million bonus plus the unique three-sided trophy, made by Thomas Lyte.

The victorious owner will be able to keep the trophy for ever and will be asked for their permission to name a future bespoke award after their own winner.

“It’s going to take a very special horse,” said Paul.

Cue Card came close in the 2015/16 season with wins at Haydock and Kempton, but fell in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Article continues below…

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£1m racing bonus offered in Kauto Star’s memory

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"To win those three races, it's very difficult. I think Kauto had a lot of things that other racehorses have

The video released to celebrate the new trophy features British sports stars Mike Tindall, Jamie Redknapp and Samantha Quek, who all have racing connections.

Among the leading members of the racing world who feature in the video are Paul Nicholls, Cue Card’s jockey Paddy Brennan and Jessica Harrington, who had been aiming popular chaser Sizing John at the challenge but sadly revealed this week he would not be running due to the heavy ground and wet forecast.

Jockey Club Racecourses’ chief executive Paul Fisher said he is “delighted” leading names in racing and other sports have taken part in the film.

“The Chase Triple Crown and the £1 million bonus have previously captured the imagination of the racing public and we felt it was only fitting to have a trophy named after the only horse ever to achieve the feat of winning all three races,” he added.

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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Three-time Grand National winner Red Rum has been revealed as one of the horses featured in the Royal Mail’s “Racehorse Legends” series.

Steeplechasing superstar Desert Orchid was the first racehorse of the series to be announced when the themes for the 2017 special stamp collections were made public in January.

He has now been joined by fellow equine superstars Red Rum, Frankel, Shergar, Kauto Star, Desert Orchid, Brigadier Gerard, Arkle and Estimate.

Equestrian painter Michael Heslop created the artwork for the stamps.

“I started painting racehorses a long, long time ago,” he said. “The reason I wanted to paint racehorses is, for an artist they have everything; you paint form, you can paint movement.

“In that one image you’ve got horseflesh and you’ve got the silks of the jockey. Everything in that one image — that is really, really worth painting.”

The stamps go on sale today (6 April) and can be bought from 7,000 Post Office branches or at www.royalmail.com/racehorselegends

Racing journalist and former jockey Brough Scott added: “British Racing has been going on for almost as long as the Royal Mail and it is great for it to be recognised in this way.”

A replica Royal Mail coach and horses is also attending the Randox Health Grand National today and tomorrow (6-7 April).

“Racing is a British passion, and we pay tribute to eight legendary horses that have proven their greatness on UK racecourses and won the affection of the public,” said Philip Parler, Royal Mail’s stamp strategy manager.

The horses

Frankel (b.2008)

Unbeaten in any of his 14 starts, Flat legend Frankel’s highlights include the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in 2011 and the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2012. He retired to stud in October 2012, following his win in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Red Rum (1965-1995)

This year marks four decades since Red Rum won his third Grand National. Trained by Ginger McCain, he won the iconic race in 1973, 1974 and 1977, finishing second on both his other attempts in 1975 and 1976.

Shergar (1978-1983)

Trained by Michael Stoute, Shergar won five consecutive races as a three-year-old in 1981. These included the Guardian Classic Trial at Sandown Park, the Chester Vase and the Irish Derby at the Curragh. At the Epsom Derby in June, he won by 10 lengths, which remains the furthest winning distance in the race’s history. He retired to the Aga Khan’s Ballymany Stud in Ireland, but in 1983 he was stolen and never found.

Kauto Star (2000-2015)

National Hunt hero Kauto Star won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice (2007 and 2009) and the King George VI Chase a record five times between 2006 and 2011. During his racing career he notched up 16 Grade One victories.

Desert Orchid (1979-2006)

Known affectionately as ‘Dessie’, Desert Orchid was adored by the crowds for his incredible jumping, versatility and courage. Trained by David Elsworth, he ran 71 times between January 1983 and December 1991, winning 34 races. His victories include four King George VI Chases, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Irish Grand National.

Brigadier Gerard (1968-1989)

Owned by John and Jean Hislop, and trained by Dick Hern, Brigadier Gerard won 17 of his 18 races between 1970 and 1972. His most memorable wins include the 2000 Guineas Stakes, a 10-length victory in the Goodwood Mile and top honours in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, all in 1971.

Arkle (1957-1970)

The Irish steeplechaser stormed to victories in the 1964 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse and in the Leopardstown Chase (1964, 1965 and 1966). He cemented his legend status with consecutive wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1964, 1965 and 1966) and the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury (1964 and 1965).

Estimate (b.2009)

Her Majesty The Queen became the first reigning monarch to triumph in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot when Estimate won the coveted race in June 2013. The mare was retired to stud in September 2014 after five victories on the track.

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A special trophy has been commissioned in honour of Kauto Star to mark a decade since he won The Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown.

Kauto Star was the first — and so far only — horse to have taken the title, which consists of winning the Grade 1 Betfair Chase, 32 Red King George VI Chase and the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

This season (2016/17) marks 10 years since the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding, ridden to victory in all three by Ruby Walsh, made history.

“He was a wonderful horse and it’ll take a fair horse to do it again,” said Ruby.

“To win those three races, it’s very difficult. I think Kauto had a lot of things that other racehorses have but he had them all together.

“He had pace, he had stamina, he could jump, he had longevity, he had a great temperament; he just had the whole package. He was simply the best.”

Should a horse win the title this season, his connections will take home the specially-commissioned Kauto Star trophy, plus a £1 million bonus split between the owner (£650,000), trainer (£150,000), jockey (£100,000) and stable staff (£100,000).

The winning owner will be allowed to keep the trophy forever and will be asked for their permission to name a future bespoke trophy after their own winning horse.

Paul added that it is “fitting” The Jockey Club has commissioned the trophy in Kauto Star’s name.

“A horse has to have very special qualities to win the Betfair Chase, King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season,” he said.

“The year Kauto won the Chase Triple Crown, we all realised what a superstar horse we had on our hands.”

Related articles:

• Kauto Star to rest under his statue at Kempton Park
• £1m racing bonus offered in Kauto Star’s memory
• Kauto Star: Paul Nicholls remembers his greatest moments

The first leg in the Triple Crown series is the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park on Saturday (18 November).

Runners confirmed so far include last year’s Betfair Chase and King George IV winner Cue Card, 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree, and two-time Betfair Chase winner Silviniaco Conti.

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A £1m bonus is on offer for any National Hunt horse who emulates Kauto Star and wins the “Chase Triple Crown” this season.

The three races are the Betfair Chase at Haydock, the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton and the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The reward has been put up by Jockey Club Racecourses and is in memory of Kauto Star, who won the trio in the 2006-2007 season — landing a £1m bonus that was offered by Betfair at the time.

The owner will win 65% of the prize, the trainer will receive 15% and the jockey and stable staff 10% each.

“We want to encourage horses to attempt to win all three of our Chase Triple Crown races and forge a place in racing folklore reserved for only the very best,” said Paul Fisher of Jockey Club Racecourses.

“We’ve a huge amount of respect for our sport’s heritage and we’re keen to find new ways to encourage new historic feats like this because they create such fantastic excitement and bring British Racing to the attention of all.

“Hopefully the chance to win £1 million over-and-above our prize money for the three races makes the Chase Triple Crown opportunity even more compelling for owners and trainers, supports jockeys and stable staff too, and will provide a great story to follow if the treble is on. Kauto Star was a special racehorse and I’m delighted to announce this bonus in his honour.”

Past iconic chasers, such as Best Mate, Desert Orchid and Arkle, who each won the King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup the same season, never had the chance to complete the modern-day treble as the Betfair Chase was inaugurated in 2005.

Paul Nicholls’ Silviniaco Conti came close to winning all three races last season, securing the first two legs, but was defeated by Coneygree in the Gold Cup.

Kauto Star was retired in 2012 after a glittering career that included wins in four Betfair Chases, a record-breaking five King Georges and two Cheltenham Gold Cups. He died earlier this year following a paddock injury.

The Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown:

Betfair Chase, Haydock Park (21 November)

King George VI Chase, Kempton (26 December)

Gold Cup, Cheltenham (18 March)

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When horses reach a certain level of success and fame it can feel as if they have become public property — with everyone having an opinion on the horse’s care, to how it is worked and competed.

But is the pressure of riding — and, especially, taking on — such high-profile horses too much for riders?

Is it unfair that they are burdened with such responsibility?

During the past couple of years, eventer Laura Collett has been thrown into the spotlight after taking on legendary racehorse Kauto Star.

When the horse retired in 2012 with victories in two Cheltenham Gold Cups, four Betfair Chases and a record five King George VI Chases to his name, owner Clive Smith, in consultation with Retraining of Racehorses, moved the horse from trainer Paul Nicholls’ yard in Ditcheat to Laura’s Lambourn base.

The aim was to retrain him for a career in dressage and, as one of the most successful and popular National Hunt stars of all time, it was an “honour and a privilege”, said Laura, to take him on.

His owner Clive Smith wanted the horse to be kept active in retirement and added: “I wanted to give him a nice time for the rest of his life.”

However, as soon as he moved, the horse was subject to constant scrutiny.

Last month (29 June) the 15-year-old gelding was put down following a field accident. A social media debate ensued, which left Laura saying she felt “bullied and hurt” by accusations that she’d lied about the circumstances of his death.

“It’s been a harrowing week but I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shown their kind support,” she said, declining to comment further.

Charlotte Alexander also understands the pressure of taking on a famous horse, having had Foxhunter winner Earthmover and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman in her charge.

“The worry of something going wrong is more enormous than if it is an unknown horse,” she told H&H.

In order to counter this she competes Denman under an alias in unaffiliated events, which she does as training for his main sports — hunting and team chasing.

“Sometimes no one recognises him, and sometimes people do and are thrilled to see him,” she added.

She added that the pressure was “huge” when she went hunting at Ditcheat earlier this year, his home of so many years when in training with Paul Nicholls.

“I was so proud of him and it was lovely that people were amazed at what a sensible hunter he had become,” she said.

“Denman is just as precious to me as any of my other horses as I love them all dearly. It is handling people’s expectations that is where the pressure comes from. There is nothing more amazing than riding a horse of such quality at speed over hedges. I am spoilt to have the experience of riding such an amazing athlete as Denman.”

‘People would say, is that him?’

The issue is particularly felt in ex-racehorses, due to racing being the second biggest spectator sport in the country after football, but other disciplines are not exempt.

Yasmin Ingham took on Imperial Cavalier last year when she was just 17, after Mary King’s Olympic silver medal winner was retired after Badminton.

Yasmin was going to Aston-le-Walls with another horse for the Davies, Imperial Cavalier’s owners, when they asked her to pick up “Archie”.

“I was gobsmacked that he was even on my yard,” she said. “And when they offered me the ride I almost dropped to the floor. It was the best day of my life.”

Yasmin said that although it was an “amazing feeling” she did feel the pressure.

“When we first went out I could hear people saying, ‘Is that him?’ and it did make me nervous,” she added. “I felt I had to do well. But as the year went on my confidence grew. We gelled quickly.”

Mary still keeps in touch, and the pair have been long-listed for the Junior Europeans.

“It is daunting — you’re so worried something might go wrong, and you have the responsibility of looking after a valuable horse,” added Yasmin. “But horses are horses; with any of them you just want them to be happy and healthy.”

Big footsteps to fill

When Matthias Rath took over the ride on Totilas from Edward Gal in 2010 it ended weeks of speculation about who would have charge of the popular stallion.

The star had gained many followers, not all of whom were pleased to see the partnership with Edward end.

Matthias was just 26 when the horse was bought by his stepmother Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Paul Schockemöhle.

“Of course I am very happy to ride the world’s best dressage horse. I know it is a big challenge to fill Edward’s footsteps,” he said at the time.

However, under Matthias a string of illnesses and injures, to both rider and horse, have been less in the spotlight in recent times. The pair recently made their comeback at Hagen and are currently aiming at the European Championships, having missed the World Equestrian Games in 2014 due to injury.

Concentrate on yourself

In comparison showjumper Trevor Breen took gaining the ride on Loughnatousa WB after the horse won the 2102 Hickstead Derby with Paul Beecher in his stride.

“I suppose ultimately when you take on a horse, what he’s done in the past is irrelevant,” he told H&H.

“If you’re caught up with what they’ve done before, you will never go forward. You have to ride them the best you can. Some people get on better with some horses than others. Horses I do well on might not go so well for others, and vice versa.”

Rider, trainer, and master practitioner in NLP (neurolinguistic programming) Lucy Thompson told H&H: “Riders are very good at feeling they’re not worthy of this top horse they’ve taken on, but it’s terribly important to accept the horse doesn’t know more, it just knows it in a different language so they have to learn together.

“The insecurity comes from the horror of letting the horse down.

“You just have to say ‘aren’t I lucky’ and accept the fact people are going to talk about it and watch you. Anything you can’t change you have to develop a thick skin about, and anything you can change you have to work hard on.

“I didn’t find it easy to take on Welton Romance from Ginny Elliott, but I just thought I need to worry about the relationship with the horse, no one else, and make it super.”

Ref: H&H 15 July, 2015

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A box of Kauto Star’s ashes are to be laid to rest under his statue at Kempton Park.

The record-breaking ex-racehorse sustained fractures to his neck and pelvis in the paddock on Wednesday 24 June and was put down on Monday 29 June at Valley Equine Hospital in Lambourn.

The statue, paying tribute to the record-breaking five-time King George winner, was commissioned by Kauto Star’s owner Clive Smith. It was unveiled on Boxing Day last year.

It was created by equestrian sculptor Charlie Langton — who produced a similar one of Yeats that stands in the parade ring at Ascot.

“The statue will be positioned in the parade ring for all racegoers to admire. Kauto Star is synonymous with the race and we look forward to having our own Kauto Star in situ for many years to come,” said a spokesman for Kempton at the time.

The horse was cremated in Cheltenham on Monday (6 July). It has not yet been confirmed when the ashes will be taken to Kempton.

The statue is one of two commissioned by Kauto’s owner.

“I have a similar one in my garden, so I can see and remember him every day,” Clive told H&H last week.

The 15-year-old gelding had been living at event rider Laura Collett’s yard since his retirement from racing in 2012.

As well as winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice (2007 and 2009) Kauto Star won the King George at Kempton five times — in 2011 breaking the record set by legendary grey Desert Orchid.

The horse won armies of fans through his successes and was one of the most popular horses of recent times.

Kauto Star was trained in Somerset by Paul Nicholls during his racing career. He retired in October 2012 and moved to Laura’s yard in Lambourn where he was hacked and schooled frequently.

“He’s left a large hole in the yard that will never be filled, there won’t be another one like him,” Laura told H&H.

The rider has since spoken of feeling “bullied and hurt” after the death of the horse, which caused a storm of conspiracy theories on social media.

“It’s been a harrowing week but I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone has shown their kind support,” she wrote on Twitter yesterday (Tuesday 7 July).

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Vets believe that the injuries sustained by Kauto Star in a field accident last week were exacerbated several days after his initial fall.

The record-breaking National Hunt star was put down on Monday (29 June).

The 15-year-old gelding broke his neck and pelvis and was put down when he developed further complications of pneumonia and laminitis.

Kauto suffered the injury at home at event rider Laura Collet’s yard in Lambourn last Wednesday (24 June).

However, after treatment by the yard vet he was taken to Valley Equine Hospital late on Saturday night (27 June) when the injuries were “failing to respond satisfactorily to treatment”.

His injuries included a complex fracture to the pelvis and a fracture at the base of the neck.

It is still unclear exactly what caused the injury. Connections believe he might have tried to jump something.

However, in the past few days there has been some debate from the public on the time frame and speculation on what might have happened, prompting a further comment from the vets to the Racing Post yesterday.

Yard vet Tom Campbell told the Racing Post that they believe the horse tried to jump out of the paddock, but fell and landed on his left side.

“We were worried he had a pelvis fracture,” he told the paper. “However, with injuries like that you are reluctant to move a horse to hospital as the more you move him the more you can make him unstable, so he was placed on box rest and cross-tied.”

However, they believe the horse then went down in the cross tie twice on Saturday.

Hattie Lawrence, treating vet at Valley Equine Hospital, said she believed there was a “material change in his condition” on Saturday. She said he had becoming “increasingly wobbly” over Sunday and Monday, to the point he couldn’t stand.

She told H&H today (Thursday 2 July): “The additional information was put out there as a clarification regarding timescales.

“He got down [on the cross tie] on Saturday before I’d seen him and almost certainly as a result of this his injuries from Wednesday were exacerbated at this point.

“The injuries in his neck were there but not yet apparent until then.

“The complications [laminitis and pneumonia] arose from him having to stand in the same position for a prolonged period of time, the only way to keep him safe.

“He was being treated with anti inflammatories and antibiotics and managed in a way to keep him and calm and quiet.

“It is unusual to have neck and pelvic injuries simultaneously but in any horse racing or falling this could occur.”

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After winning the hearts of racegoers across the country, fans were devastated to hear that Kauto Star had died earlier this week.

The 15-year-old gelding was one of the most popular and successful racehorses in history.

Trained by Paul Nicholls, Kauto Star won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice and the King George VI Chase at Kempton a record five times.

He was put down on 29 June, aged 15, after injuring himself in the field.

Paul and head lad Clifford Baker talk to H&H about their memories of Kauto Star.

‘He knew he was a star’

Clifford looked after Kauto for eight years at the yard in Ditcheat, Somerset.

“He was the first horse I’d see when I came to feed them at 5.30am each day,” says Clifford.

“I’d ride him every day, and after all that time you become quite close to them. You’d like to think they go on forever but they don’t.

“Kauto was such a character, everyone liked him he was very, very friendly. He loved the camera and was a fan of carrots and polos. He always sharp, mind, he hated traffic. He was sharp to ride and that is why he was as good as he was.

“He lived in the first box and always stuck his head over the door with his ears pricked every time anyone came on the yard.

“It was a pleasure to be part of the whole experience, the public loved him. I always made sure people could have their photos with him, he was good for us, and for racing. There must be thousands of people with pictures with Kauto.

“He knew he was a star.”

Two Gold Cups

“He was just brilliant,” says Paul. “When he won his first Gold Cup (in 2007) after an amazing season we couldn’t believe it.

“When he won the second one (in 2009), after having lost it to his stablemate and great rival Denman the year before, it was very, very special. It was the pinnacle of his career.”

Five King Georges

In 2011 Kauto Star broke the record set by legendary grey Desert Orchid, taking his fifth King George title.

The 11-year-old Kauto Star thrilled the huge Boxing Day crowd at Kempton with a magnificent display of jumping to win under Ruby Walsh.

The French-bred gelding had lost his Christmas crown to Long Run the year before, but, despite being five years older than Long Run, Kauto Star held him off by a length on this occasion.

“It was awesome,” says Paul.

A fourth Betfair Chase

On 19 November 2011 Kauto arrived at Haydock to great anticipation. Many thought he was passed his best but he proved naysayers wrong.

“He’d had three ordinary runs before that, so I really put my head on the block and went for it, I knew he could do it,” says Paul. “People had written him off, but he won very convincingly. There were so many people there to see him, they were even clapping him in the paddock before he won. I’ll never forget that day.”

Kauto Star made all the running under Ruby Walsh and jumped in style, out-performing the favourite – and the then Gold Cup champion – Long Run.

The race was won in record time, and was an emotional day for racing fans.

Kauto won his fourth Betfair Chase by eight lengths and the popular horse entered the winners’ enclosure to defeaning applause and spontaneous “three cheers for Kauto”.

A genuine horse

“Although it’s not a nice memory, I’ll always remember when he fell schooling before the Gold Cup in 2012. It was a horrific fall, he certainly used up one of his lives there,” says Paul.

The horse was pulled up in the race and subsequently retired.

“He was so genuine though, he’d do anything for you,” adds Paul.

“There was just something about him, he was like your best mate. He’d always neigh at you and he’d watch every car in and out of the yard. He was different from his pal Denman who’d have your arm off! To look out of the office every day and see them was amazing.”

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“He’s left a large hole in the yard that will never be filled, there won’t be another one like him,” said Laura Collett as she paid tribute to Kauto Star after the legendary racehorse was put down yesterday (Monday 29 June).

“Kauto will be so missed, he was an absolute sweetheart,” she told H&H.

“He was easy to deal with day-in day-out and was a total pleasure and joy to do anything with.

“He was a huge character. Everyone knew he was king of the yard — he was always the centre of attention. Even if a visitor came to see another horse they’d stop by to see Kauto. He was amazing and he knew it, he’d light up when a camara was around.”

The record-breaking ex-racehorse sustained fractures to his neck and pelvis in the paddock on Wednesday (24 June) and after treatment at Valley Equine Hospital in Lambourn was put down.

Kauto Star, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice (2007 and 2009) was trained in Somerset by Paul Nicholls during his racing career. Owned by Clive Smith, Kauto retired in October 2012 and moved to Laura’s yard in Lambourn where he was hacked and schooled frequently.

The 15-year-old gelding had been out in the paddock when the accident occurred. Connections are unsure exactly what happened — though they believe he might have tried to jump something.

Further complications — pneumonia and laminitis — developed and Kauto was put down.

“It’s tragic,” said Laura. “It was just a freak accident, no one could have prevented it.

“The vets did an amazing job, I couldn’t believe how much of a fighter he was. It’s like he wouldn’t admit anything was wrong — he was so strong. He was as perky at the end as he always had been.”

Kauto also won the King George VI Chase at Kempton a record five times.

“We wanted to keep his brain and body active in retirement. He was quite a character to ride though — sometimes he’d spook at things and the next day go past them fine, I think he did it to entertain himself,” added Laura.

“It was a huge honour to look after and ride him. He gave me some unbelievable experiences that I would never have had the opportunity to do otherwise — such as galloping up the straight at Kempton.

“One of my favourite memories was cantering behind Denman at Cheltenham, two Gold Cup legends. He was adored by the public.”

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National Hunt hero Kauto Star has been put down after a field accident.

The record-breaking ex-racehorse sustained fractures to his neck and pelvis in the paddock on Wednesday (24 June).

The 15-year-old gelding was taken to Valley Equine Hospital in Lambourn, but put down yesterday (Monday 29 June).

“It’s very, very sad indeed,” owner Clive Smith told H&H.

“I wanted to give him a nice time for the rest of his life. I have tremendous memories of him, he was a wonderful horse.”

Hattie Lawrence, the vet who treated Kauto Star at the Valley Equine Hospital, said the horse had been referred to the hospital on Saturday after the injuries were “failing to respond satisfactorily to treatment”.

“His injuries included a complex fracture to the pelvis and a fracture at the base of the neck, and these resulted in further complications,” she added.

“While the range of treatments administered at the hospital in the 48 hours following his admission ensured that Kauto Star was comfortable, sadly his condition deteriorated again during Monday and, in the horse’s best interests, a decision was taken together with Mr Smith to euthanase him on Monday afternoon.”

The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was forging a second career in dressage under event rider Laura Collett.

Clive said: “He had been turned out in Laura’s paddock, as has been the case normally with him at this time for years, and he looks to have jumped something, and perhaps stumbled, we’re not really sure, but he injured himself — and it became obvious it was serious.

“The onset of secondary problems, pneumonia and laminitis, as a result of the horse being unable to put his head down and the increase of toxins in his body after standing stationary for so long, highlight the challenges faced when treating serious injuries in horses.

“Hattie and the vets at Valley Equine Hospital did all they could and more. Kauto was kept comfortable throughout and not in pain when the decision to put him down was taken.”

As well as winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice (2007 and 2009) Kauto Star won the King George at Kempton five times — in 2011 breaking the record set by legendary grey Desert Orchid.

Kauto Star was trained in Somerset by Paul Nicholls during his racing career. He retired in October 2012 and moved to Laura’s yard in Lambourn where he was hacked and schooled frequently.

A statue of Kauto was commissioned by Clive and was unveiled at Kempton racecourse on Boxing Day last year.

It was created by equestrian sculptor Charlie Langton and is positioned in the parade ring for all racegoers to see.

“I have a similar one in my garden, I can see and remember every day,” added Clive.

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Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree will be among the equine heroes on show at this year’s Lambourn Open Day.

On Good Friday (3 April) Lambourn trainers throw open their doors to racing fans, for people to get an inside insight into the preparation behind the races and the lifestyles the equine stars lead.

Coneygree — trained by Mark Bradstock in Oxfordshire — will be travelling to the Berkshire village to take part in a parade in the afternoon. The eight-year-old, ridden by Nico de Boinville, became the first novice in 41 years to win the Gold Cup at last week’s Cheltenham Festival (13 March).

Coneygree will be joined in the parade by this year’s World Hurdle Winner Cole Harden, who is trained in Lambourn by Warren Greatrex. Dual Gold Cup winner Kauto Star, who is being retrained in Berkshire with eventer Laura Collett, will also be in the line up.

More than 10,000 visitors head to the Valley of the Racehorse for the open day each year. Around 30 yards will be open to the public — including Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows where fans can visit last week’s Festival winners Peace and Co and Call The Cops.

There will be an opportunity to see the facilities at the Valley Equine Hospital and a range of demonstrations will be taking place throughout the day, including horses swimming and farrier displays.

The events field with its central arena will open at 1pm where camel racing, scurry driving and a puissance competition with top jockeys will take place.

There will also be a wide range of trade stands and pony racing.

The day is sponsored by Betfair and all money raised goes to Lambourn’s registered charity, The Lambourn Valley Housing Trust, which works for the welfare of its stable staff, The Air Ambulance and other local needy causes.

Tickets can be bought in advance online until 31 March, costing £12. Under 12s have free entry.

To book visit: www.newburyracecourse.co.uk

Tickets on the day cost £15. For more information visit: www.lambourn.info

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Past heroes of the racetrack returned to Cheltenham yesterday (Tuesday 10 March) to parade for fans on the first day of the 2015 Cheltenham Festival.

Gold Cup winners Denman (pictured below) and Kauto Star (pictured top) were joined by four-time World Hurdle winner Big Buck’s, who is now enjoying a second career hunting, as well as Blazing Bailey, Comply Or Die and Jack The Giant.

Charlotte Alexander, who has been hunting and team chasing Denman since he retired from Paul Nicholls yard in 2011, was delighted to take the 14-year-old to the place of his greatest victory — the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“Denman loves being back at Cheltenham,” she told H&H. “There is nothing like the atmosphere of the Festival. He was keen!

“It was lovely for him to see his old stablemates Kauto Star and Big Buck’s again too.”

She added: “It was great to see his relation Polly Peachum [who is out of Denman’s full sister, Miss Denman] running so well in the mares’ race as well.”

The ex-racehorses paraded in the paddock at 12.30pm, before galloping in front of the stands before the first race.

Kauto Star (pictured below) was also on show under event rider Laura Collett, who tweeted: “What an epic day at the Cheltenham Festival. I’m such a lucky girl to canter Kauto Star in front of the stands.”

Big Buck’s (pictured below) was recently taken on by Lucy Tucker, after he retired following last year’s World Hurdle. The gelding is settling into hunting well, and in December returned to Ditcheat with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale with former stablemate Denman.

The Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades were introduced in 2008 by the charity to showcase the adaptability of racehorses when retrained for a second career. They are now an established part of the major jump racing festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, as well as featuring at British Champions Day at Ascot in October.

“To have Gold Cup, Grand National and World Hurdle winners in the parade is fantastic and it was great for the Cheltenham racegoers to see so many old favourites,” said Di Arbuthnot of RoR.

Grand National hero Comply Or Die is now showing off his skills in dressage, Jack The Giant is a showing star — having won at Hickstead last summer — while popular grey Grands Crus has turned his hoof to showjumping.

Also strutting their stuff in the sunshine in the Gloucestershire parade ring were Sentry Duty, an ex-Nicky Henderson-trained Flat horse who is now hunting and Miko De Beauchene, winner of the 2007 Welsh National who now hunts with the North Cotswold, Ortolan, the joint RoR elite eventing champion ridden by Polly Stockton.

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Past Gold Cup winners Denman and Kauto Star will be among a group of popular ex-racehorses parading for fans at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday (10 March).

They will be joined at the Gloucestershire track by four-time World Hurdle winner Big Buck’s, who is now enjoying a second career hunting, as well as Blazing Bailey, Comply Or Die and Jack The Giant.

Big Buck’s was recently taken on by Lucy Tucker, after he retired following last year’s World Hurdle. The gelding is settling into hunting well, and in December delighted fans when he returned to Ditcheat with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale with former stablemate Denman.

Denman paraded at Newbury racecourse last month (pictured) ahead of the race named in his honour, the Denman Chase.

His rider Charlotte Alexander told H&H she is pleased to be bringing the gelding back to Cheltenham and the site of his most famous victory — the 2008 Gold Cup.

“I’m very much looking forward to parading Denman at Cheltenham, and in particular breezing in front of the packed stands after the runners have gone down for the first race,” she said.

“Denman is feeling rather well at the moment so it will be rather an exciting gallop.

“It will be lovely for him to see his old stablemates Kauto Star and Big Buck’s again.”

The Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades were introduced in 2008 by the charity to showcase the adaptability of racehorses when retrained for a second career. They are now an established part of the major jump racing festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, as well as featuring at British Champions Day at Ascot in October.

“To have Gold Cup, Grand National and World Hurdle winners in the parade is fantastic and it will be great for the Cheltenham racegoers to see so many old favourites,” said Di Arbuthnot of RoR.

“However, just as important from the charity’s perspective are those horses that have channelled their talents into a whole new discipline.”

Grand National hero Comply Or Die is now showing off his skills in dressage, Jack The Giant is a showing star — having won at Hickstead last summer — while popular grey Grands Crus has turned his hoof to showjumping.

Joining them is Sentry Duty, an ex-Nicky Henderson-trained Flat horse who is now hunting and Miko De Beauchene, winner of the 2007 Welsh National who now hunts with the North Cotswold.

“Also parading will be Ortolan, a horse less-well known to racegoers, but the joint RoR elite eventing champion ridden by Polly Stockton,” added Di.

“For RoR to have the opportunity to parade horses at events such as the Cheltenham Festival is a real privilege and forms an important part of our strategy to increase awareness of the work the charity does facilitating the retraining of racehorses.”

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He already has a bar named after him, and now a statue of Kauto Star is to be unveiled before crowds at Kempton Park this afternoon (Boxing Day, 26 December).

The statue, paying tribute to the record-breaking five-time King George winner, has been commissioned by Kauto Star’s owner Clive Smith.

It has been created by equestrian sculptor Charlie Langton — who produced a similar one of Yeats that stands in the parade ring at Ascot.

“The statue will be positioned in the parade ring for all racegoers to admire. Kauto Star is synonymous with the race and we look forward to having our own Kauto Star in situ for many years to come,” said a spokesman for Kempton.

The statue will be unveiled at 11.45am, with Kauto Star himself parading with event rider Laura Collett before the King George.

“Owning Kauto Star has been the thrill of a lifetime and to be able to present a statue of him to Kempton Park, to celebrate his great wins is truly heart-warming for me,” said Clive.

“Being remembered in this way is nothing less than he deserves. My very talented, beautiful horse with a lovely quiet temperament and a tremendous will to win; the horse of a lifetime.”

The statue is 5% more than life-size, which took around eight months to complete.

“For the process of making the piece, I went to see the horse at Laura Collett’s yard, where I spent a bit of time getting to know him, measuring him up and making a quarter life-size maquette,” said Charlie.

“Kauto Star proved to be a very relaxed and gentle-natured subject. He is highly intelligent and inquisitive, and was seemingly intrigued by my work on the maquette in front of him.

“My aim was to portray his willingness of spirit, his unique character and physical presence, which strikes you most when you meet such a supreme athlete in the flesh. The sculpture has to truly reflect Kauto’s incredible achievements and his wonderful character, anything less and I will have let him down.”

Kauto Star was trained in Somerset by Paul Nicholls during his racing career. In 2011 he broke the record set by legendary grey Desert Orchid by taking his fifth King George.

Now retired, 14-year-old Kauto is based at Laura’s yard in Lambourn, Berkshire, where he’s hacked and schooled frequently. He also took part in a dressage demo at Olympia earlier this month.

“He’s very good, he’s feeling really well,” Laura told H&H.

“It’s exciting and I’m really looking forward to him parading. It will be nice for his fans to see him too.”

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A Boxing Day highlight for horse lovers and racing fans is of course the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The first winner was Southern Hero in 1937 — who at 12 remains the oldest winner of the race. Since then there have been several multiple winners, many whom became popular stars of the festive season.

Ahead of this year’s race H&H looks back over a selection of King George heroes.

Kauto Star

One of the most popular chasers of recent times, Kauto Star made history in 2011 taking the King George for the fifth time, surpassing the record he held jointly with Desert Orchid.

Trained by Paul Nicholls he also won two Cheltenham Gold Cups before retiring in 2012. He is now being retrained by event rider Laura Collett.

The French-bred chaser, owned by Clive Smith, was a firm Boxing Day favourite and was a major draw to the race for several years. Every year he parades at the track, there is even a bar at the course named after him and filled with memorabilia honouring the King George hero.

This year a statue of the 14-year-old will be unveiled at the course, created by equestrian sculptor Charlie Langton.

“Owning Kauto Star has been the thrill of a lifetime and to be able to present a statue of him to Kempton Park, to celebrate his great wins is truly heart-warming for me,” said Clive.

“Being remembered in this way is nothing less than he deserves. My very talented, beautiful horse with a lovely quiet temperament and a tremendous will to win; the horse of a lifetime.”

Desert Orchid

A four-time winner of the King George VI Chase at Kempton, the gelding continued to parade there after his retirement on Boxing Day each year for the public.

After his death in 2006 his ashes were buried near his statue at the Middlesex track.

He won the race first in 1986 and followed it up with wins in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

A much-loved chasing campaigner he won 34 races, ran an estimated 180 miles and jumped more than 1,000 fences. “I’ve never known a horse so brave,” said rider Simon Sherwood.

However, his career was almost over before it started as in his first race in 1983 he took bad tumble. But he returned to the track and won many top class races, including the 1998 Tingle Creek and 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

After a crashing fall during his sixth King George he was retired. He had an active retirement — making public appearances and parading.

He died peacefully in his stable in November 2006 aged 27.

One Man

One of the most popular greys in racing, One Man won the King George two years running — 1995 and 1996.

He was ridden by Richard Dunwoody and ran in the famous yellow, red and white silks of John Hales, owner of Nick Skelton’s showjumping star Arko.

The gelding, by Remainder Man, was foaled in 1988 and won 20 of 35 races — including the 1998 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

He was trained by the late Gordon Richards, who nicknamed the horse his “bouncing rubber ball”.

He soared into the public eye thanks to his high speed and neat jumping style and followed in Desert Orchid’s footsteps as the people’s grey.

Long Run

Long Run won the 2010 renewal of the race — which was run in January 2011 due to bad weather — providing jockey Sam Waley-Cohen with his first King George title.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, the gelding finished ahead of stablemate Riverside Theatre in second and Kauto Star in third. The next season he finished second to Kauto Star, who won his fifth, final and record-breaking race. In 2012 Long Run won for a second time, beating Captain Chris in a thrilling race by a neck.

Teeton Mill

Another popular grey winner of the Boxing Day race, Teeton Mill won the King George in 1998.

Trained by Venetia Williams he also won the Hennessy Gold Cup the same year. Teeton Mill sadly died last month at the age of 25.

Wayward Lad

A three-time winner of the race, Wayward Lad took the King George in 1982, 1983 and 1984.

Kicking King

Trained in Ireland by Tom Taaffe, Kicking King won under top Irish jockey Barry Geraghty in 2004 and 2005 — the second of which was run at Sandown as track redevelopment was underway at Kempton.

By Old Vic, Kicking King also won the 2005 Gold Cup.

Silviniaco Conti

Paul Nicholls reclaimed his Kempton crown last year with his charge Silviniaco Conti.

The eight-year-old, ridden by Noel Fehily, now aims to become the 14th horse to win the race more than once, and give his trained a record ninth victory in the race.

At the time jockey Noel called the horse “tough as nails”. 

Silviniaco Conti goes into this year’s race as favourite, up against Champagne Fever, Al Ferof and Menorah. For full entries see below.

But who will win? Tune in to Channel 4 Racing or visit the course on 26 December to find out.

The William Hill King George VI Chase is run at 3.10pm.

2014 contenders:

• Silviniaco Conti
• Champagne Fever
• Al Ferof
• Cue Card
• Dynaste
• Menorah
• Johns Spirit
• Wishfull Thinking
• Double Ross
• Wonderful Charm

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Kauto Star’s performance at Olympia last week (16 December) has caused some debate in the equestrian and racing worlds.

A stilted dressage demo at the London International Horse Show proved uncomfortable viewing for some on grand prix night.

The 14-year-old gelding is best-known for his triumphs in the National Hunt world when trained in Somerset by Paul Nicholls, winning two Cheltenham Gold Cups and a record five King George VI Chases. He moved to event rider Laura Collett’s yard for retraining after his retirement in 2012. 

At the time this sparked some outrage in the racing community, with many calling for him to have an quiet retirement with his lad Clifford Baker.

But owner Clive Smith wanted the horse to have the opportunity to be mentally stimulated and to have an active second career.

Kauto Star has been out a few times doing demos since and has received positive feedback on his appearance, especially at Barbury Castle this summer.

However, on Tuesday night the horse appeared lacklustre in his performance, sparking mixed reaction from his fans, and critics.

The intention was admirable, for Kauto to show off his new skills in front of a willing crowd promoting second careers for ex-racehorses. However, his performance fell a bit flat for some as he was cajoled into trot by Laura.

Yogi Breisner, who has been training Laura and Kauto, explained in his commentary that the horse was “overwhelmed by the atmosphere”, being an environment a racehorse would never have had to handle before.

“I was fortunate enough to see Kauto Star up close before he went into the arena and he looked fantastic. Watching him warm up he was as good as gold, but after after an impeccable start to his demonstration he did appear to become a little overwhelmed by the occasion,” added Retraining of Racehorses’ Di Arbuthnot.

“Laura had said beforehand that nothing can prepare a horse for the atmosphere they experience once in the arena with 7,000 people packed around all four sides and the accompanying noise and lights and afterwards she said he had had a bout of stage-fright and lost his concentration.

“The crowd were still very appreciative, recognising what Kauto and Laura have achieved in switching from the routine of being a racehorse to that of a second career doing dressage. And it was great to witness the affection the public still feel for the horse.”

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Kauto Star is going to be demonstrating his dressage skills at Olympia this year, in a special display with Laura Collett.

The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner retired from racing in 2012 after winning 16 Grade One races, and is being retrained by the eventer.

The pair will be making an appearance on the opening night of Olympia, the London International Horse Show (16-22 December), ahead of a masterclass with Woodlander Farouche and FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games silver medallist Michael Eilberg and his father Ferdi.

Kauto Star was trained in Somerset by Paul Nicholls during his racing career. Now retired, Kauto is based at Laura’s yard in Lambourn, Berkshire, where he’s hacked and schooled frequently.

“He’s very good, he’s feeling really well,” Laura told H&H.

“He’s had some quiet time — as I broke my foot then I was away at Boekelo — but he’s back in full work now.”

Though it’s not yet confirmed exactly what the demo with involve, appearing under the bright lights of the indoor arena will certainly be a novel experience for the 14-year-old.

“He’s settled down a bit now [since coming out of racing], but he’s never been anywhere like Olympia before,” Laura added. “The atmosphere is electric and the crowd is very close to the side of the arena. There’s a lot going on, so hopefully he’ll behave!”

But despite the eagerness of fans to see Kauto in competition, they’ll have to wait a while longer.

“He’s doing really well with dressage, but there’s never been any pressure to rush him into a competition and we have no plans yet,” added Laura. “We just wanted him to have a job to do and to enjoy his retirement. He hacks and jumps and keeps active.”

The ‘Kauto Star factor’

The appearance has been supported by charity Retraining of Racehorses [RoR], which in part credits the “Kauto Star factor” for the rise in interest in ex-racehorses.

“It will be very exciting to see Kauto Star showing his new skills at such a high-profile event, demonstrating there is life after racing for this hugely successful and popular racehorse,” RoR’s Di Arbuthnot told H&H.

In his career on the racetrack Kauto gathered a massive fan base, and took the King George VI Chase at Kempton a record five times. And he’ll be back there parading on Boxing Day.

“It will be a busy week for him, Olympia and Kempton,” said Laura. “It’s exciting though and I’m really looking forward to it. It will be nice for all his fans to see him too.”

Olympic team gold medallist Laura Tomlinson, who had her first child this summer, will be doing a demo at Olympia as well, with 10-year-old mare Unique on Wednesday 17 December.

There will also be a medal parade of the British equestrian teams and a vaulting display from champion vaulter Joanne Eccles.

“We are thrilled to have so many stars — both human and equine — appearing at this year’s show. I think it is going to be the biggest and best Olympia yet,” said organiser Simon Brooks-Ward.

More news from Olympia

Woodlander Farouche set to delight dressage fans at Olympia

There are some special treats in store for spectators during the first three days of Olympia, The London International Horse

Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin’s fondest Olympia memories [VIDEO]

Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester reveal what makes Olympia so magical and unique for them by divulging their fondest memories

Jump and Flat jockeys to go head-to-head at Olympia

Jump and Flat Jockeys will be joined by showjumpers at Olympia in a new class raising funds for the Injured

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Legendary chaser Kauto Star retired from racing in October 2012 – having won 16 Grade One races — and in December of that year it was announced that eventer Laura Collett would be taking him on to re-school him for a new career in dressage.

Over a year-and-a-half on, Laura talks to H&H about how Kauto’s shape has changed, softening his body, nailing the canter, his amazingly clean legs and his to-die-for temperament.

Watch Laura jumping bareback

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As well as visiting more than 25 yards, racing fans will get to see equine stars such as Sprinter Sacre and Kauto Star at the Lambourn Open Day.

The annual Betfair Lambourn Open Day takes place on Good Friday (18 April) and racegoers can get behind the scenes at racing yards to see their favourite racehorses.

At Nicky Henderson’s yard, Cheltenham Festival winner, Whisper, will be welcoming visitors. Other stable stars of Lambourn on show include the Jamie Snowden-trained Present View.

The facilities of the Valley Equine Hospital will be on open during the morning. There will also be displays in the horse swimming pool held from 9.30am.

Dual Gold Cup winner Kauto Star will parade alongside the mighty Sprinter Sacre and Jamie Osborne’s UAE Derby winner Toast Of New York in the afternoon’s events.

The events field opens at 1pm with a parade of the Vine and Craven foxhounds, followed by a display from the Rockwood Dog team.

At 2.05pm, the Household Cavalry will be performing their crowd-pulling musical ride. Later that afternoon soldiers will be taking on jockeys past and present including AP McCoy and John Francome in a showjumping competition.

Tickets are £12 for the whole day, or £6 for the afternoon entertainment only. Children under 12 are free.

Yards open at 8.30am, closing at 1pm.

All the money raised goes to Lambourn’s registered charity, The Lambourn Valley Housing Trust, which works for the welfare of its stable staff, the air ambulance and other local causes.

For more details visit: www.lambourn.info

Pics by Toby Connors

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Gold Cup winners Kauto Star and Denman headed a star-studded parade of former racehorses on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival (11 March).

The former stable mates from Paul Nicholls’ yard received a huge reception from the Cheltenham crowd.

Kauto Star is now being trained as a dressage horse by eventer Laura Collett and Denman has been introduced to hunting and team chasing by Charlotte Alexander.

Denman suffered a life-threatening bone and blood infection last year and spent 5 months in an equine hospital, but he has now made a full recovery and Charlotte looked to have her hands full.

The parade was the first of this year’s Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades, which were introduced in 2008 and are now an established part of major jump racing festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, as well as Ascot’s King George Day in July.

“There was a real buzz around the parade ring, with owners and trainers also thrilled to see their horses looking so well and enjoying life after racing,” said RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot.

“We are delighted with the response from racing audiences and the increasing popularity of these parades, they are now very much part of the major festivals’ calendar.”

Other former racehorses who also took part in the parade were:

• BLAZING BAILEY (Hunting) – Sarah Welford
• CRYSTAL D’AINAY (Team Chase/Hunter Trials) – Charlotte Burke
• MONKERHOSTIN (Hunting) – George Beilby
• BARBER’S SHOP (Showing) – Katie Jerram
• MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (Hunting) – Tracey Phillips
• LIGHTENING STRIKE (Hunting) – Sharon Francis
• DEEP REFLECTION (Showing) – Helen Newbold
• ASHKAZAR (Hunting) – Verity Murphy 

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Gold Cup winners Kauto Star and Denman will head a star-studded parade of former racehorses at the Cheltenham Festival next month (11 March).

This is the first of this year’s Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades, which were introduced in 2008 and are now an established part of major jump racing festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, as well as Ascot’s King George Day in July.

RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot said that it is a “fantastic way to showcase in front of racing audiences the versatility of the racehorse”.

“[Parades] provide people with the chance to see their old favourites [and] also show the adaptability of former racehorses, including those who may not have such a distinguished racing career but are now excelling in a new discipline,” she said.

Ms Arbuthnot says the mix of horses is an essential element in the success of the parades.

“Horse of the Year Show winner Deep Reflection will parade alongside festival stalwarts like Monkerhostin and Blazing Bailey, who are now enjoying a more relaxed life hunting and hacking away from the limelight,” she said.

“The parades show how former horses can make the most rewarding animals to retrain for second careers, and offer a snapshot of their new skills, whether competing in showing, showjumping, eventing, polo, endurance, dressage or simply as a hunter or hack.”

Besides the 2 former Paul Nicholls stars, Blazing Bailey, Crystal D’Ainay, Monkerhostin, Barbers Shop (below), Miko De Beauchene, Lightning Strike, Deep Reflection and Ashkazar will line up.

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Kauto Star’s owner Clive Smith has branched out into eventing, and has bought a horse for Laura Collett to ride.

Clive has bought, Pamero 4, a seven-year-old gelding, from Germany, a little over a year after sending his two-times Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to Laura to be retrained in dressage.

“I went to see Kauto do his displays at Barbury Castle and Burghley last year, and I’ve always been interested in eventing, so I said to [Team GBR chef d’equipe] Yogi Breisner I’d be interested in buying a horse,” Clive told H&H.

“I love the colour and the spectacle of racing and point-to-point but I do enjoy a day out eventing as well, it’s good fun.

“National Hunt racing will remain my first love but I enjoy eventing and ultimately the common denominator is the horse so it’s an easy cross-over.”

Clive, Laura and Yogi all went over to Germany to see the horse, which is now at Laura’s Lambourn yard. Pamero has competed in two international events in Germany with Stephan Dubsky.

“We watched a film of the horse and Yogi said he had great potential so we all went over to see him,” added Clive.

“Laura jumped him and he went brilliantly and we were all very taken with him. So now the aim is for her to bring him on and see what we can do.”

Laura said: “I’m hugely grateful to Mr Smith for supporting me by purchasing Pamero. The horse is an exciting seven-year-old that we hope can progress to the top of eventing.”

Clive added that Kauto Star is in “great form” and he’s looking forward to seeing him compete in the future.

“I went down to visit both horses last week and he’s very well, it’s an exciting time,” he added.

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Laura Collett has told H&H she hopes to get Kauto Star out competing this year.

“It’s been a slow process as he came straight from training but he’s almost ready,” she said.

“He’s been easy to retrain, it’s just developing muscles in different places which has taken a while. He’s strengthened up a lot physically now.

“We’re going to play it by ear, go to a few shows and see how it goes. It’s all about him enjoying himself.”

The 14-year-old, who won the King George VI Chase a record five times, paraded at Kempton before fans on Boxing Day.

“He was quite fresh when he was parading,” said Laura. “But he was fine when I was riding him up the racetrack, which was a relief as I wasn’t sure how he’d react being back there!”

And Kauto proved himself to be in rude health, throwing in a buck or two in the paddock.

“He’s always been the people’s horse, it’s nice they still like to see him out,” added Laura.

“I think his fans like it when he does a little buck as it shows he’s feeling well and full of himself. He’s like a 4-year-old in his mind still.”

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After winning the King George VI Chase an amazing 5-times during his racing career, Kauto Star returned to his spiritual home at Kempton Park earlier today (26 December) to parade in front of his adoring fans.

Here are our favourite social media posts marking the occasion.

Post by Channel4Racing.

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Popular ex-racehorse Kauto Star is to parade at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The 5-times winner of the King George VI Chase will strut his stuff for fans before racing on 26 December.

He will be parading in hand in the paddock at midday, and later will lead the runners out with rider, eventer Laura Collett, before the King George.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Kauto Star back to Kempton Park on Boxing Day,” said Kempton’s Phil White.

“He is such a special horse and a big part of the recent history of the William Hill Winter Festival. It is a great opportunity for racegoers to see this equine hero again at the home of his 5 King George VI Chase victories.”

And as a further honour to the King George record holder, owner Clive Smith has commissioned a statue of Kauto Star.

It will be unveiled next year and will be produced by equestrian artist and sculpture Charlie Langton.

“Owning Kauto Star has been the thrill of a lifetime and to be able to present a statue of him to Kempton Park, to celebrate his great wins is truly heart-warming for me,” said Clive.

“Being remembered in this way is nothing less than he deserves. My very talented, beautiful horse with a lovely quiet temperament and a tremendous will to win; the horse of a lifetime.”

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Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star is going to have his own 30min documentary.

Kauto, who won 16 Grade One National Hunt contests, was retired from the racecourse a year ago and has since started a new career in dressage with eventer Laura Collett.

A production team spent a day filming at Laura’s base in Wiltshire last week to make the programme, which will be entitled Owning a Legend.

The footage is now being edited and it is expected to air on At the Races (Sky 415) in the near future.

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Two of the greatest National Hunt racehorses of all time enjoyed being back in the spotlight at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials last Sunday (8 September).

Kauto Star and Neptune Collonges, both trained by former Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls, strutted their stuff in front of fans in the main arena.

Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star is now fully in the swing of his new life as a dressage horse with eventer Laura Collett.

Laura was not riding in the 4-star at Burghley having suffered a serious rotational fall in July, but is now back eventing and rode Kauto.

Kauto’s old stable companion Neptune Collonges, who was ridden at Burghley by Sam Wall, has also turned his hoof to dressage.

The 2012 Grand National winner made a winning dressage debut with Lisa Hales in February.

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Event rider Laura Collett is back in the saddle and jumping her horses, after her serious accident last month.

“It’s very exciting to be back riding again,” she told H&H. “It’s all going well and I’m feeling fine. It just feels normal, and it’s nice to be back doing my usual things.”

Laura posted photos of herself jumping “Super Steve” aka Noble Bestman on Twitter this morning (Thursday 8 August).

“I schooled him at the weekend, but this has been the first time I’ve jumped him since my fall,” she said. “He was very good, and I’m not sore at all. I’ve been very lucky.

“They’ve all been very good, my head girl Felicity has been keeping them ticking over and Yogi [Breisner, British Eventing team manager] has been down to ride them too.”

She also had a sit on her stable star, Rayef, today (pictured).

“It was lovely to be back on him,” she said. “He’s grand to school but he can be a bit naughty out hacking, so I’ve told Felicity she can keep doing that for the time being!”

Laura suffered serious crush injuries — including lung damage and rib fractures — during a rotational fall from Tis A Beauty at Tweseldown on 8 July.

She spent some time at Oaksey House, the Injured Jockeys Fund rehabilitation centre in Lambourn, Berks, after being discharged from hospital. But she’s aiming to be back competing as soon as she can.

“I’m still signed off eventing so I won’t be competing for a bit — but as soon as I’m allowed to I’ll be back,” added Laura. “I’m doing lots of physio at Oaksey House still. It’s hard work — mainly because I’m doing exercises I’m not used to. But it’s nice to know that I’ll be fitter after this than I was before when I was eventing.”

She added that she’s “trying not to overdo it”.

“That’s really hard for me, but everyone is telling me I need to be sensible so I’m trying to do that.

“I haven’t ridden Kauto Star yet — Yogi’s ridden him — but I might have a go next week.”

And in her absence last week (Thursday 1 August) showjumper Trevor Breen took the ride on Noble Bestman in the eventing grand prix at Hickstead. The pair finished 5th.

“It was nice to be back at Hickstead — I used to do showing there,” she added. “Seeing Steve in the eventing grand prix was great though, I think he was surprised to have such long legs round him. Trevor rode him beautifully, but it was very nerve racking watching — I’d much prefer to be riding.”

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Fans of dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star will be able to see their hero at two events this summer.

Kauto is now fully in the swing of his new life as a dressage horse with eventer Laura Collett. And the pair will be showing off their moves at Barbury International Horse Trials and the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe.

Laura and Kauto will be heading to Barbury Castle in Wiltshire this weekend, doing a demo in the arena with Team GBR eventing chef d’equipe Yogi Breisner on Sunday (7 July).

And the pair will be taking part in the Retraining of Racehorses demo in the main arena at Gatcombe on Sunday 4 August at 2.30pm.

“He will love all the attention and it’s a fantastic opportunity for people to see him again,” said Laura. “Although I’m not quite sure how he will behave as he might get quite buzzed up by the atmosphere!”

A spokesman for Gatcombe added: “We are so thrilled that Clive Smith has agreed to allow Kauto to come to the Festival. He is such a legend and we know our crowd will love having the opportunity to see him and Laura.”

For more information visit: www.barburyhorsetrials.co.uk and www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk.

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Kauto Star — what a horse! I’ve just finished reading the article in Horse & Hound magazine featuring Laura Collett retraining the ex-racing star for dressage.

It just goes to show that a well-trained horse with a good temperament can turn their hoof to any discipline. Any horse that is backed to take the weight of a rider will have had some initial flatwork training. How extensive that training is depends on what discipline that horse is in training for, but again this goes back to my belief that any horse can do flatwork and dressage.

Ex-racers are a particular interest of mine and I have two in the yard for training at the moment. As we all know, many racehorses have to be retired from racing before they are retired from work. Many go on to event or just have a more leisurely life hacking, but many go on to be talented amateur’s and professional’s dressage horses.

The thoroughbreds I have worked with have all had a very trainable nature and are often a bit less opinionated than a warmblood! (Just to clarify, I’m not looking for a change of career, but a bit of variey never hurt anyone 😉 )

Zac and Woody, the two ex-racers I have had for schooling recently, love their work. Yes their training and feeding regime are different to those of my other horses, but they can still show those posh dressage horses a thing or two. Both of them love their hacking and a bit of fittening work on the canter track. They are going great guns in the school, have started working on their changes and are starting baby lateral work. Sadly, both of them will be going home to their owners soon. What will I do with a big ex-racehorse gap to fill in my life?!

I’ve started to get back out competing again. It’s been difficult to fit it in while setting up my business and also due to a lack of horsey transport. In fact I haven’t competed since the Nationals in September — crickey!

On Saturday I took Andrea Bailey’s Maisie (pictured above working at home) to Burrows Court Farm near Dursley, Gloucestershire. This was her first competition, and although a little overwhelmed by all the goings on (muck spreaders in nearby fields are very scary!), she behaved impeccably. Now we have got the first one out the way, we shall take her to lots of different venues to let her see the world and work on our accuracy and balance in the arena.

Last weekend, I was very lucky to have some training with Austrian Olympic rider Caroline Hatlapa, with my two boys plus Zac. Caroline had us working on an inside leg to outside rein feel, which is a method I use in my training anyway. It really helps to make sure that the horse is balanced and supple, ready for the rider to give another aid.

Caroline also instructed me to think of riding my horses more uphill and to imagine I was putting their front feet on top of the mirrors. It’s amazing how just thinking in a different way can make a difference to the horses’ way of going. She asked me to imagine that the horse was dancing, which really helped too, although I hope she didn’t mean like the new Three mobile advert!

With all three horses we worked on “bodybuilding” exercises, with masses of transitions between the trot and the canter, before moving onto smaller circles and a bit of shoulder-in and half pass. They all behaved impeccably.

Debby Lush also came this weekend and worked on my position. As a rider I always try to actively improve my position, so that I can sit in perfect balance and therefore help the horse balance as well. Debby has left me with lots of gymnastic homework for both me and my horses before she sees us again in a month’s time. Surely I’ll be doing backflips round the arena by then?!

Anyway best get back out riding, there appears to be a glowing orb of light and warmth in the sky… I shall go to investigate!

Matt

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Racing fans are in for a treat next month as Laura Collett and Kauto Star are to take part in a demo at Newbury racecourse.

Laura and Kauto have been having dressage lessons with Yogi Breisner since the dual Gold Cup winner arrived at her yard in December.

And although the pair paraded before the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, this will be the first time Laura has ridden him in public. Laura and Kauto will show off some flatwork moves before racing gets under way on Saturday 2 March.

And she’s also bringing her top ride Rayef to Newbury, who is being aimed at Badminton this year.

“I’m delighted to hosting a schooling session at Newbury as it gives racegoers such a great insight into what’s involved at the highest level in british eventing,” said Yogi.

“This year we have the highlight of seeing Kauto Star. He is a wonderful example of the versatility of the thorougbred. He will demonstrate how naturally racehorses adapt to life after racing.”

Gold medal winning Paralympian Deb Criddle will also be there on the day.

And members of British Equestrian Federation bodies — British Showjumping, British Dressage and British Eventing — can get two free tickets for the day.

The day is in aid of racehorse rehabilitation charity Greatwood, and there will be pony rides and and equicizor from the British Racing School, for budding jockeys to test out their skills.

Stephen Higgins of Newbury added: “This will be great day out, filled with equestrian family entertainment and exhilarating jump racing. We’re delighted to welcome special guests Yogi Breisner and Deb Criddle and proud to be supporting such a great cause.”

Gates open at 11.30 am with the first race at 2pm. For more information visit: www.racecoursenewbury.co.uk

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Kauto Star looked ready for his new career in dressage at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, sporting some fancy white dressage boots.

Kauto was parading before the King George VI Chase, which he won for a record fifth time in 2011.

It was his first public appearance with his new rider, Laura Collett. And he was wearing Kentucky Horsewear Solimbra D30 dressage boots.

“We wanted to ensure Kauto Star was turned out to perfection for his appearance and with his potential dressage career in mind coupled with the fact we wanted the ultimate in protection, we chose Kentucky Horsewear dressage boots,” said Laura.

“I use Kentucky boots on all my own horses so I know that they not only look good but also offer the ultimate in protection. All horses’ legs are valuable and even more so with Kauto Star!”

The Kentucky Solimbra D3O dressage boots contain a high performance material called D3O, which offers shock absorption and protection on impact. D3O is patented technology, which has long been used within protective clothing and footwear, including motorcycling clothing, sportswear and even stunt apparel.

The lightweight UV resistant boots also feature a laminated outer, which offers all-weather protection.

Available in both front (£125) and hind (£120), the boots come in white. Union flag also removable.

Buy on-line: www.kentucky-horseshop.com

Long Run and Sam Waley-Cohen have regained their Kempton crown, claiming their second King George VI Chase win.

The pair pipped the Philip Hobbs-trained Captain Chris to the post, taking the race by just a neck in a thrilling finish this afternoon (Wednesday 26 December).

Long Run, trained by Nicky Henderson, set off the 15-8 favourite of the Grade 1 race.

Despite a couple of jumping mistakes on the way round, the seven-year-old dug deep in stamina sapping conditions to win.

The heavy ground made for a testing battle in the closing stages of the race and a mighty leap by Captain Chris at the last landed the 16-1 shot temporarily in front under Richard Johnson, before he was caught on the line by the favourite.

Seven-year-old grey Grands Crus, trained by David Pipe, finished 14 lengths back in third with Tom Scudamore. Martin Keighley’s Champion Court, who travelled well throughout the race before tiring on the way home, finished fourth.

“He was so brave,” said Sam Waley-Cohen. “I had to keep asking him and I asked him early and perhaps too much as he was so tired and so brave. It means so much to us, this is why we do it. I can’t put it into words — it’s so special. It’s an honour and a pleasure.”

Sam’s father, and Long Run’s owner, Robert Waley-Cohen, added: “We’ve had such fun with him, he’s been wonderful to us. I wasn’t absolutely sure he’d got up to start with, but it’s fantastic.”

It was the second win of the day for amateur jockey Sam, who also won aboard the Nicky Henderson-trained Rajdhani Express.

Long Run, who won the rescheduled 2010 race [held in January 2011 due to bad weather], finished second to Kauto Star in the race last year, being held off by just one and a quarter lengths.

And popular five-times King George winner Kauto Star was also at Kempton today looking in good health parading before racing alongside new rider Laura Collett.

Kauto moved to event rider Laura’s Wiltshire yard earlier this month to embark on his second career in the world of dressage, with the help of top trainer Yogi Breisner.

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Five-times King George VI Chase winner Kauto Star will be parading at Kempton today (26 December) — alongside new rider, eventer Laura Collett.

Kauto arrived at Laura’s yard in Membury, Wiltshire on 11 December, and he’s already making himself at home. Alongside Yogi Breisner Laura will be preparing him for a potential second career in dressage.

“He’s settled in really well; he’s really relaxed and calm. He’s done a bit of gentle schooling and been hacking round the estate a couple of times — just pootling about really,” Laura told H&H.

“He loves cuddles and polos — he’s clearly used to having all the attention. He fits in really well here and you wouldn’t know he was the new boy.

“It was nerve-racking getting on him the first time — I couldn’t believe I was riding Kauto Star! Paul Nicholls told me he was very fresh and that he had bucked Clifford Baker [head lad and Kauto’s regular rider] off for the first time ever the week before. But he was great and I just couldn’t stop smiling. I can’t believe he’s here.”

Laura said there were no definite plans for his future as yet, except that he would be leading up the horses before the King George.

“The main thing is for him to enjoy himself,” she added. “He’s not going to be put under any pressure. No one’s expecting anything – we’ll just see how it goes. It wasn’t sensible for him to go to a pure dressage yard where people might not be used to fairly fit racehorses. Clive [Smith, his owner] wanted to make sure he’d be with people who could cope with a horse like that.

Earlier this month it was announced that the popular gelding would be leaving his home at Paul Nicholls’ Somerset yard earlier than expected, to start a new career with Laura. Which caused quite the stir among racing fans and the press.

“We were all surprised at the reaction,” said Laura. “Perhaps we didn’t realise how much the public adored him and how much they felt he was their horse.”

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Lucky Laura Collett has a new ride and an early Christmas present — in the form of legendary chaser, Kauto Star.

The event rider has been asked to re-school Kauto for a second career in dressage, by his owner Clive Smith.

Kauto, who is 12, was retired from racing in October.

He won 16 Grade Ones — including two Cheltenham Gold Cups (2007 and 2009). He is the only horse to have regained the Gold Cup after having lost the race.

This morning (11 December), Laura tweeted:“I feel very privileged and extremely honoured to have been asked to ride Kauto Star… #excited!”

Laura added that she would be “working closely with Yogi [Breisner] to give Kauto Star the best chance of a second career in dressage”.

Owner Clive Smith was put in touch with Yogi — Team GBR eventing chef d’equipe — by the Retraining of Racehorses charity.

“I’ve seen Garrison Savannah, Mr Frisk and Neptune Collonges all have a go at dressage after retiring, and I wanted him to have an interest,” said Clive.

“He is just too good to be a hack or in a field.”

Kauto’s old stablemate at Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard, Neptune Collonges, made a winning return to competition last month.

The 2012 Grand National winner won an Intro dressage test with owner John Hales’ daughter, Lisa — with a whopping 79.57%.

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A statue of Kauto Star was unveiled on Saturday (24 November) at Haydock Park, when the four-time Betfair Chase winner also paraded for his fans.

And Kauto could well turn his hoof to dressage, now Paul Nicholls’ stable star has been retired from racing.

“Kauto is a smart and intelligent horse and in the long-term he needs to be doing something,” said owner Clive Smith.

“We thought he might be suitable for dressage. We don’t want to risk him at all and will just have to see what happens.”

Kauto’s former stablemate Neptune Collonges has just embarked on a winning start to his dressage career — so maybe the pair, who last faced each other in the 2011 Gold Cup, will go up against each other again.

Clive added that the 12-year-old gelding was in good health.

“Kauto Star is a really super animal. He had a huge heart, was very intelligent and a great jumper. He was the perfect racehorse. He is in very good order.

“He still loves being the centre of attention. He will be at Sandown in a couple of weeks for the Tingle Creek and will parade at Kempton on Boxing Day for the King George so he is keeping busy at the moment.”

Clifford Baker, Kauto’s regular rider, and Paul Nicholls’ head lad, added: “You can see how well he is — bright and alert, as normal really. He could probably race today. But you have to make a decision to retire sometime.

“He has plenty of quirks, his sharpness is the main one, you can see what he is like, he misses nothing, he is like that the whole time — you can never rest on your laurels when you are around him. You have always got to be awake with him.

“He’s been such a big part of my life for so long — to do what he has done is amazing from my point of view to and for everybody who has worked with him. It has been a privilege to have been able to do it.”

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A decision is yet to be taken on how popular chaser Kauto Star will spend his retirement, though fans will be able to see him parade twice this year.

Trainer Paul Nicholls announced last week that the record-breaking 12-year-old would be retired from racing, after discussions with his owner Clive Smith.

But Paul told H&H that Kauto’s next move is yet to be decided.

“Kauto Star will be staying at Manor Farm Stables for the time being, ridden out most days by Clifford Baker [Nicholls’ head lad and Kauto’s work rider], but nothing has been confirmed longer term,” he said.

The horse will parade at Haydock on 24 November and at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Kauto Star won 16 Grade Ones — including two Cheltenham Gold Cups. He is the only horse to have regained the Gold Cup after having lost the title.

He was pulled up in his last outing in the race in March, returning to a massive cheer. His future on the track had been uncertain since then. Kauto came back into training but, after recent work, the decision was taken to retire him “in full health”.

“We will all miss him dearly, his presence in the front yard and everything about him,” Nicholls added.

“Out of all his achievements, his victories at Haydock and Kempton last year are my proudest — him coming back after he’d been written off by so many.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (8 November 2012)

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Popular chaser Kauto Star has been retired from racing.

Trainer Paul Nicholls announced today (Wednesday 31 October) that the record-breaking 12-year-old would not run again.

The decision was made between Paul and Kauto’s owner Clive Smith to retire the “once in a lifetime horse”.

“We have had nine superb years, but after seeing him in his work these past few weeks we were of the opinion that the time had arrived to retire him,” Paul wrote in his Betfair blog.

“Kauto looks and feels as vibrant as ever, as those who saw him at our owners’ Open Day last month would testify to. He was mad fresh that day and continues to be alert as ever and very, very well in himself.

“Kauto is signing off in full health. But sometimes you have to listen to your head and your heart — and both told me that retirement was the only option.

“It will be very strange to look out of my office window and not see Kauto’s head and Denman‘s arse sticking out the main two boxes. He has given me my best days in the sport.”

The chaser won 16 Grade Ones — including two Cheltenham Gold Cups (2007 and 2009). He is the only horse to have regained the Gold Cup after having lost it, but was pulled up in his last outing in the race in March, returning to a massive cheer. His future on the track had been uncertain since then.

Kauto Star won the King George VI Chase at Kempton for a record fifth time in December 2011. He’s also won two Tingle Creeks and four Betfair Chases.

Last month Clive told H&H it was a difficult decision.

“It would be absolutely dreadful for anything to happen to him,” he said at the time.

“Everyone asks after him, and most say they want him retired. There’s a lot of pressure and it’s a hard decision.

“He’s an athletic horse and so if retirement was the case, I’d want him to do something active — he’s not the type of horse you could just put in a field.”

• Look through H&H’s pictorial tribute to the top chaser now…

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Popular chaser Kauto Star is back in his stable in Ditcheat, ready for a new training season.

The 12-year-old was on show at Paul Nicholls’ owners’ day at the weekend (2 September), where the trainer confirmed that a decision is yet to be made on the gelding’s future in racing.

Kauto, who has won a record 16 Grade Ones, will be ridden over the next few weeks but connections will decide in a month whether he will run again.

“It was fantastic to see him at the weekend so well,” owner Clive Smith told H&H. “He was jumping around like a four or five-year-old. He’s in great shape but we’ll have to to see what happens and we’ll talk about it in a few weeks. If he’s fit and well we’d be keen for a run, but it would be absolutely dreadful for anything to happen to him.

“I met a lot of people this summer and everyone asks after him, and most say they want him retired. There’s a lot of pressure and it’s a hard decision. But horses are precious animals and accidents can happen anywhere – on the racecourse, in a field or on the gallops.

“He’s an athletic horse and so if retirement was the case, I’d want him to do something active – he’s not the type of horse you could just put in a field. But he’s on great form so we’ll see how he goes.”

If he is to run, it will likely be in the King George VI Chase at Kempton, which he won for a record five times in December 2011. He will not be aimed at Cheltenham.

Nicholls stressed that the horse’s well-being will be at the forefront of any decisions, adding: “We won’t be taking any risks with him.”

On Sunday it was also confirmed that Clive Smith’s other star racehorse, dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded, has now been officially retired, as expected.

The nine-year-old, who has won eight Grade Ones struck into himself and severely damaged a tendon during the King George VI.

“Master Minded was very seriously injured,” said Clive. “He’s not able to do very much at all, but he’s now at Woodhouse’s [former Wincanton racecourse chairman Mark and his wife Tessa] enjoying himself and keeping Rigmarole [the Woodhouse’s ex-racehorse] company.

“It’s such a shame all this has happened, he’s a great horse and a lovely character.”

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A tattoo artist has just completed an unusual request from one of her clients – a lifelike portrait of Kauto Star.

Shawnee Quinn, who runs Athena Art in Sunderland contacted H&H about the commission – the first time she has been asked to create a tattoo of a racehorse.

“Apparently my client, Steve Collings had a great attachment with Kauto Star and has won quite substantial funds whilst following him over the years,” she explained.

“He had told his wife that once Kauto Star retired, he was going to have his image tattooed over his heart because that is where he would always be,” she added.

The 12-year-old chaser has not run since being pulled up in the Gold Cup in March.

But Kauto – who has won a record 16 Grade One races, including five King George VI chases and two Gold Cups – has not yet been officially retired. He has spent the summer at grass at trainer Paul Nicholls’ yard in Ditcheat, Somerset.

Shawnee Quinn spent a week researching images of Kauto before settling on a final design with Mr Collings. His brief was for a “portrait-type tattoo in colour” which did not look too “cartoony”.

Mr Collings – who has backed Kauto Star in every race since the Tingle Creek Chase in 2005 – is reported to be very pleased with his tattoo.

“He can now be seen as race meetings across the country,” said Ms Quinn. “He is the guy losing his shirt (literally) but this time it’s to show off his tattoo.”

Mr Collins is not the first person to adorn himself with an image of the great racehorse. In January, racing fan Emily Russell, from Northamptonshire, had her left calf adorned with Kauto, following his fifth King George win.

www.athena-art.co.uk

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What a week. The Cheltenham Festival is the most intense four days’ racing of the year, I find.

Although Royal Ascot matters more in the grand scheme of it all – stallions (and fortunes) are made and lost, future Classic winners are spotted etc – the racing is, really, only one element of the meeting. It’s as much a summer party and a frock show as it is a racemeeting – and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But Cheltenham is purely about equine competition, and it’s much more gruelling on the nerves. I’m sad it’s over – the whole season is built around it now, and I know we’ve got Aintree left but, apart from the National, which is totally different, winning at Cheltenham will always take precedence.

My feet, lungs and liver are happy, though – they need some serious r&r.

Here are my highlights – and low points – of the Festival:

Highs:

Seven winners for Seven Barrows. Nicky Henderson had a simply incredible week, even if Long Run couldn’t pull another Gold Cup out of the bag. For me the most exciting of these was Sprinter Sacre in the Racing Post Arkle – all being well, he’s next year’s Champion Chase winner.

First Festival winners for two very good female trainers. Lucinda Russell has long deserved a success on the big stage, and Brindisi Breeze gave it to her in impressive style in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. One for Scotland – and Wales got on the board when Rebecca Curtis took the National Hunt Chase with Teaforthree.

AP McCoy’s Betfred Gold Cup. He’s broken every riding record and, more than anyone else, epitomises the “man of iron” image of the jump jockey. He should be winning the big ones, and we love it so much when he does.

Applause for Kauto Star. The crowds clapped and cheered him as he walked round the parade ring before the Gold Cup and again as Ruby Walsh pulled him up in the race. Will we see him again? I don’t think so, although no move has been made to retire him yet. A proper legend, my favourite National Hunt horse ever and as big a star as we’ll ever see in racing.

The British-bred winners. By my reckoning there were seven – Cinders And Ashes, Alfie Sherrin, Simonsig, Son Of Flicka, Cape Tribulation, Countrywide Flame and Attaglance – which is more than for many years. Otherwise, King’s Theatre had a truckload. And the greatest of them all, Sadler’s Wells, rounded off his stunning career with a Gold Cup winner the year after his death. He obviously had his treble Champion Hurdle winner in Istabraq, and it’s nice to have a Gold Cup horse too. Never mind the dozens of Classic winners, this is Cheltenham!

Lows:

The horses that died during the week. It’s very sad for their owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms, and we all hate seeing these terrific animals in their final moments. But I don’t think anyone is to blame – it’s just one of the facts of life with animals. Lots of you will disagree, and you are entitled to, but I’d rather be a racehorse than almost any other animal. Top-class care, an exciting life working and racing with my friends and the assurance of a quick death if the worst should happen.

Three of the “big four” failing to defend their crowns. I like my champions to be champions and to win and win and win. Of last year’s Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, World Hurdle and Gold Cup heroes, only Big Buck’s could do it again, and it did flatten the atmosphere a touch.

No winners for Choc. Our H&H columnist Choc Thornton rode his ass off all week, being placed on seven out of his 12 rides, but none of them could quite get their heads in front. He’s had a tough winter, he’s a great jockey and he deserved a moment in the sun this week.

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Groom Rose Loxton tells H&H about the dual Gold Cup-winning hero.

Fact file

Name: Kauto Star

Stable name: Kauto

Age: 12

Height: 16.3hh

Breed: thoroughbred

Sire: Village Star

Discipline: National Hunt racing

Owner: Clive Smith

Trainer: Paul Nicholls

Groom: Rose Loxton

Best ever result: five times King George VI chase and dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner

Five things you didn’t know…

1 He has won 23 out of 40 starts under Rules – including a record 16 Grade Ones and five King George VI chases.

2 He’s won more than £2.3million in prize-money – more than any National Hunt horse in history.

3 His name is pronounced “Kaw-toe” not “Kay-toe”. Clive believes something was “lost in pronunciation” when Kauto came over from France.

4 He has a bar named after him at Kempton Park racecourse, packed full of memorabilia, which opened in February.

5 The famous silks were designed by owner Clive Smith in just a few minutes and are based on the club colours of Camberley Golf Course, where he was once captain – the yellow of the bunkers, the green of the fairway and the purple heather.

To read the full interview with Rose Loxton about Kauto Star see the 8 March issue of H&H

Watch Kauto Star run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup today (16 March 2012) at 3.20pm on Channel 4

Read all the latest racing news

It’s the news the horse world has been waiting for.

Kauto Star will be going to Cheltenham on Friday (16 March) to contest his sixth- and probably last – Gold Cup.

Trainer Paul Nicholls made the announcement in his Betfair column.

“I have just put the ‘phone down to [owner] Clive [Smith] and, barring any mishaps in the next few days, Kauto lines up for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Friday,” he said.

“Clive and I have given Kauto Star the green light for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after a very good schooling session on the grass this morning.

“Ruby [Walsh] came over to school him and Kauto was awesome, just as I’d thought he would be. He jumped six fences and he was foot-perfect,” he added.

Kauto’s chances of running in the Gold Cup were described as only “50:50” following what Paul Nicholls described as a “pretty awful fall” when jumping a fence at his Ditcheat base last month.

Doubts over the 12-year-old gelding’s participation did ease slightly on Friday (9 March) when he pleased connections with a gallop on the racecourse at Wincanton.

Now racing fans can breath a sigh of relief as “King Kauto” attempts his third Gold Cup victory.

“We are looking forward to it,” said Paul Nicholls.

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Kauto Star’s work rider Clifford Baker was last week (27 February) named employee of the year at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff awards in London.

He won £25,000, of which £10,000 will be shared with staff at Paul Nicholls’ yard.

Clifford has been head lad for Nicholls since 1996. He previously worked for David Nicholson.

“It’s appropriate that Clifford rides Kauto Star every morning, as he has long been the Kauto Star of stable staff,” said Brough Scott, chairman of the judging panel.

“His career has been a magnificent example of how outstanding staff play a major role in any trainer’s success.”

The awards celebrate the fundamental role of stable staff within the industry and the prize-fund totals £120,000. Clifford also won the high achiever of the year award.

“Racing is a way of life and it takes over your life, but that is the way it is and what makes it so great,” said Clifford. “I can never see me not loving it as much as I do now.

“Kauto Star is 12, but he thinks he’s six. He helps me, too – I’m over 50, but he makes me feel like I’m 30!”

The National Association of Stud and Stable Staff special merit award went to Jerry Walsh, travelling head lad with Paul Webber.

The David Nicholson newcomer award was won by Christopher Lynn from Ferdy Murphy’s yard and the rider/groom award went to Charlotte Cox from Henry Candy’s yard.

Graham Nicklin from Glebe Stud won the stud staff award while the dedication to racing award was won by Willie Cowe, who is head lad for James Ewart.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (8 March 2012)

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Kauto Star is reportedly making progress in the run up to the Gold Cup next week (16 March).

Last week trainer Paul Nicholls announced the horse was only a “50-50” chance to take part in the race, after a “terrible fall” at home.

But the trainer was more positive this week.

“Nothing major to report today but we are, thankfully, still heading in the right direction,” he said in his Betfair column today (Wednesday 7 March).

“He once again had his physio and his hour on the walker. And then he had a half-speed 10f canter with Big Buck’s and then a canter up the hill with him, too.

“Clifford [Baker, Nicholls’ head lad and Kauto’s work rider] is still smiling and at one point I thought he was going to do Kauto’s box roll for him!”

He is set to gallop after racing at Wincanton on Friday (9 March).

“If he does come through that ok, we will look to school him on Monday morning. But I must stress that it is one step at a time, and it is important that people don’t get carried away,” he added.

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