Awful news, such a sad day. It's horrible to see armchair jockeys on social media trying to lay the blame with Clive Smith/Laura Collet. They don't understand that this could have happened anywhere/anytime.
Where do you start with a horse like Kauto Star? He began racing at the age of 3- meaning he had a career lasting over 8 years. He won his first Grade 1 in the 2005 Tingle Creek. A historic 2m chase won by some amazing horses, including Moscow Flyer no less, in the two years preceeding him. For him to have then gone on to be the chaser he became at 3m is nothing short of extraordinary. Before that he fell in the Queen Mother Champion chase, after which he never really looked back. He had a rhythm unlike any other horse. This effortless, poetry in motion jumping style when at his best. He had gears over 3m that no one else, save stablemate 'The Tank' Denman, and the pair were well clear in the division. The contrasting styles of he and Denman are what make their story all the more wonderful. The slick, stylish, beautiful Kauto Star style, and the relentless, aggressive majesty of Denman. At Cheltenham, those really were magical moments when the two clashed. It may be some time before we see two THAT good going at it again. Both were very versatile, but in totally different senses of the word. Once favourite for a Champion Chase, Kauto had the speed and guile to handle the speed tracks like Kempton, beating Madison Du Berlais and Barbers Shop by the best part of forty lengths in a King George. Even more scary, was that Imperial Commander, eventual Gold Cup winner, was even further back- a total of sixty + lengths behind. Denman had horrid records at places like Kempton and Aintree, where his strengths were blunted somewhat, but he could carry weight and do things in handicaps not seen for many, many years. TWICE a Hennessey Gold Cup winner off top weight and an amazing 3rd in his final attempt in the hat-trick bid. An amazing show of strength and bravery and that was what it took to be the rival of a Kauto. Brilliance, but totally contrasting brilliance. Kautos career for me was much the richer for being able to meet the polar opposite in Denman. His below par 2010 season left so many question marks. Beaten at Kempton in a King George, Long Run beating both he and Denman at Cheltenham in what was signalled to be the new era of chasers, and pulled up at Punchestown. There were calls for retirement, and he looked like he had slipped away from the peak of his powers. Paul Nicholls remained adamant that the horse still had what it takes to win at the top level. There was then that incredible day in November 2011. Clive Smith's Master Minded was running at Ascot on the same day and both he and Kauto had all sorts of doubters. Doubters to the tune of a 20/1 double for the pair of them to win on their respective comebacks. Master Minded, a brilliant chaser in his own right, duly obliged under Darly Jacob by 3 lengths. Kauto was a 6/1 shot over at Haydock- Kauto scarfs and hats were there in spades but it was more hope than expectation. What happened before my eyes on Channel 4 that day will always be my favourite moment in racing. The goosebumps went further and further the closer we got to the final fence. I've never felt that in horse racing before or since. I could try to describe the end of that race, and the magical moment at Kempton Park 6 weeks or so later where he somehow fended off Long Run again for the unthinkable 5th King George, but Simon Holt narrated that journey live on air better than any writer could ever capture. Enjoy watching them again- that was history in the making right there. Kauto Star- still forever the king.
please log in to view this image Paul Nicholls just tweeted this super picture with the words "Who said he couldn't jump?"
So, so sad. The best horse that I have ever seen over the big'uns. The final two jumps of the Gold Cup in '09 is one of my all-time favourite sporting moments and will live with me forever. I don't think I've roared louder at Goodison.
What a picture... Superb that, cheers Oddy, i havnt seen that picture before but will remember it for many a while now...
Very sad. Superb horse Kauto Star was, and he gave the racing public a horse to adore for life. It's not often the normal man in the street who doesn't follow horses knew about horses but every person I know always knew Kauto Star when he came up in conversation. Rip.
Sad news indeed - wonderful, wonderful horse who kept us on the edge of the seats year after year. I saw him live once and it was an absolute joy.
I was privileged enough to see Kauto live and 'in the flesh' just twice and, in truth, they weren't two of his finest hours (AON Chase in 2007 and King George in Jan 2011) but he gave me so much pleasure over the years whenever I watched him on TV. As others have said, the Betfair and King George wins in late 2011 will live long in the memory and, as today, I had tears rolling down my face on both occasions. I am too young to remember Arkle (just!) but Kauto is undoubtedly the best I've had the pleasure of watching and will take some animal to take that accolade away! R.I.P The King
Truly awful news. The word legend is devalued by it's overuse but for The Great Horse it barely does him justice. Got so many I know into racing, he wasn't just great for one or two seasons, he ruled the sport season in, season out. A true legend in every sense of the word. I'm so thankful to have seen him run three times here in Ireland, and the memories of his story will burn brightly for me. By God he WILL be missed... RIP The Greatest
They are showing all his highlights on RUK between races throughout the day, they've already shown full races of the 2005 and 2006 Tingle Creeks aswell as the 2006 Betfair chase. Not sure they're going to be able to fit in all his victorys as there are so many
The King is dead! Long live the king ! It's all been said, all I can say is I was there to bare witness to his greatest triumphs. Unfortunately the sad fact is more horses are lost in the paddock than on the racecourse. Sad news!
