Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has led the tributes to dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star after he was put down having sustained an injury in a paddock incident.
The 15-year-old was the standard-bearer for modern-day chasers, taking the mantle as perhaps the greatest chaser since Arkle.
His two Gold Cup wins were amongst 16 Grade One successes with a record haul of five King George VI Chases at Kempton ensuring Kauto Star will be forever synonymous with the Boxing Day showpiece.
Nicholls reiterated his long-held belief that Kauto Star was a one off.
“He won 16 Grade Ones. I’ve been very lucky to have trained some incredible horses, but I’ve always said he’s once in a lifetime. To be able to win from two miles, to two-and-a-half and three miles plus, he was awesome,” said Nicholls.
The Ditcheat trainer admits he has been left numb by the news of Kauto Star’s demise.
“It’s obviously a very sad day and very sad news to take on board.
“He was like my best mate really. I saw him every day and he was a great horse in every way temperament-wise,” he said.
Nicholls still feels particular pride at the manner in which Kauto Star confounded his critics during his final season in racing.
“After he was written off, to come back and win his fourth Betfair Chase and a fifth King George said everything about him. He was just an amazing horse.
“Winning the Gold Cup was brilliant, but the two days that really stand out for me are the day at Haydock and the day at Kempton,” he added.
Nicholls has not landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup since Kauto Star won for the second time in 2009 but Saphir Du Rheu is 17.00 to end that sequence with victory in 2016.
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