Kauto Star: Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner put down

30 June 2015Last updated at 08:37 GMT

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Kauto Star: Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner put down

Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star has been put down after suffering a fracture to his pelvis following a fall.

The gelding won 23 of his 41 races, including five King George VI Chases.

The 15-year-old moved to dressage after retiring from racing in 2012.

His rider Laura Collett said: "Devastated to announce Kauto Star sustained injury in the field, with his best interest at heart a decision was made to put him to sleep."

BBC Sport's Frank Keogh on the 'legend' Kauto
"Jockey Ruby Walsh once likened Kauto Star to footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. The horse was quick, versatile, brilliant, beautiful even - winning top races over a range of distances from two miles to more than three-and-a quarter miles.
"He was tough, too. When many thought retirement beckoned, he came back to his best and won a record fifth King George VI Chase at an enraptured Kempton Park.
"There is deep sadness in the racing world today at the loss of an equine legend."

Owner Clive Smith told the Racing Post: "I am devastated. He had been turned out in Laura's paddock, as has been done normally with him at this time for years, and he looks to have jumped something, and stumbled, we're not really sure, but he injured himself - and it became obvious it was serious.

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Archive: On the gallops with Kauto Star

"The vets made him comfortable but the kindest thing was to euthanise him. It was a horrible moment. He was such a wonderful horse, but he did not suffer."

Paul Nicholls, who trained Kauto to his famous victories, tweeted: "RIP my friend, you were a true Legend. Once in a lifetime."

Kauto Star became the first horse to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup after losing it to Denman in 2008, and also made history bywinning a fifth King George VI Chase, on Boxing Day in 2011.

Kauto Star factfile
Foaled	19 March 2000
Breeding	Village Star-Kauto Relka (France)
Races	41
Wins	23
Key victories	Cheltenham Gold Cup (2007, 2009); King George VI Chase (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011); Betfair Chase (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011)
Prize money	£2.4m

Regular jockey Ruby Walsh, who guided the Nicholls-trained horse to 17 of his 23 career wins, said he had been "very lucky" to ride him.

"He's the horse of my lifetime. I'm very lucky to be the one who got to ride him," he said after Kauto's retirement in 2012.

"He was an amazing horse to ride and an amazing horse to be part of and I loved every minute of riding him."

on Tuesday, June 30, 2015