Kauto Star
At the time of his retirement in October 2012, Paul Nicholls said of Kauto Star, “He’s definitely one of the greatest; it’s hard to compare generations, but in my lifetime he’s been the best and probably will be the best.” Over a decade later, Kauto Star remains the joint-fourth highest-rated steeplechaser since the early sixties, according to Timeform, alongside Mill House and behind only Arkle, Flyingbolt and Sprinter Sacre.
Owned by the late Clive Smith, who described him as a “a wonderful, wonderful horse and a good friend of mine”, Kauto Star won 23 of his 41 races over hurdles and fences and amassed over £2.375 million in prize money. He joined Paul Nicholls from Serge Foucher in France, as a four-year-old, in November 2004 and was immediately sent over fences. Kauto Star won his first Grade 1 race, the Tingle Creek Chase, over two miles, at Sandown Park in December 2005 and, having fallen at the third fence when favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2006, enjoyed arguably his best season ever in 2006/07.
That campaign, he was unbeaten in six races, including the Stayers Chase Triple Crown – the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park and the Cheltenham Gold Cup – and with it a £1 million bonus, as well as the Tingle Creek Chase for the second year running. He lost the Cheltenham Gold Cup to stable companion Denman in 2008, but regained it in 2009, reversing the previous from to the tune of 20 lengths and, thereby, became the first horse to do so. Away from the Cheltenham Festival, Kauto Star also won the King George VI Chase a record five times, in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, his final triumph after retirement was mooted for the first time after he was pulled up, at odds-on, in the Punchestown Gold Cup the previous May.