Little more than a year ago, jockey Frankie Dettori and his favourite mount Dubai Millennium were on top of the world.

The Italian rider had just steered the wonder horse to a mightily impressive victory in the planet's richest horserace, an event that had effectively inspired his name - the Dubai World Cup.

Dubai Millennium was becoming one of those few animals that come along every generation - a real superstar.

And he boasted that rare ability of Flat racehorses to take the breath away as he appeared to effortlessly change gears and cruise clear of rivals.

His death on Sunday night at stud, where he retired following injury eight months ago, is a blow to horseracing as a whole.

But it will be most keenly felt by Dettori, the pin-up of British racing, and Sheikh Mohammed's mighty Godolphin team at their twin bases in Newmarket and Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed clearly felt he was the best horse he had owned, and probably number one in the world.

"You can wait 20 years and never get a horse like this," he said.

"I have never seen or owned a horse like him, the way he trains, the way he looks. He is quite outstanding."

Dettori, the colt's regular rider, proclaimed: "He's the best horse I've ever ridden.

"With him it's just sheer ability, power speed and stamina. It's unbelievable."

After winning the Dubai showpiece in March 2000, and following up in tremendous style at Royal Ascot, the horse appeared destined for true greatness.

But just as an �8m showdown loomed with Montjeu, racing's other great Flat horse, the Godolphin star was injured.

He was retired to stud, and Sheikh Mohammed flew into Britain to be with the horse when he went into intensive care.

Dubai Millennium was attempting to recover from colic surgery after falling ill at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket.

The horse underwent surgery again 24 hours after a prolonged operation to remove a blockage of the small intestine.

Despite a grim prognosis, he battled gamely for the best part of a week before a decision was taken that he should not be allowed to recover from an anaesthetic on humane grounds.

The colt had always been destined to win the big Dubai prize at Nad al Sheba after Sheikh Mohammed renamed him as a two-year-old.

Originally called Yaazer, he changed the name before his star raced as a two-year-old, with the 2000 Dubai World Cup clearly already at the forefront of his mind.

The newly-named horse won his first two outings, a conditions race at Doncaster and a listed event at Goodwood, and was already being hailed a star by the time the Epsom Derby came around.

Remarkable turn of pace

Twelve furlongs proved too much for him, though, and it was a drop to 10 furlongs which saw him return to winning ways in a Group 2 French race.

The Seeking The Gold colt then chalked up his first Group 1 win, cruising home by six lengths in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A remarkable turn of pace by the three-year-old Dubai Millennium saw him shatter the Nad al Sheba course record for 10 furlongs in the third leg of the Maktoum Challenge.

That victory meant it was no surprise when the colt won the Dubai World Cup.

But his destruction of a world-class field was more than anyone expected as Dettori steered the horse to a six-length win.

Sadly, that was the last time he was to race-ride Dubai Millennium.

Dettori suffered a broken ankle in an airplane crash which claimed the life of the pilot, and the rider was sidelined.

Different jockey, same old story; American Jerry Bailey steered Dubai Millennium to an eight-length win at Royal Ascot.

People shook their heads in disbelief at the easy manner of victory.

Montjeu showdown

The Breeders' Cup was due to be Dubai Millennium's next target, but not before a planned head-to-head with Montjeu.

Mohammed's star preferred one mile, his Michael Tabor-owned rival was better over one-and-a-half.

Ten furlongs was the agreed compromise, but the race of the millennium proved too much of a dream as the fairytale came to an unhappy ending.

Dubai Millennium's race career ended after he sustained a fracture of his hind right leg while working on the Limekilns gallop in Newmarket on 5 August, 2000.

It was the very day Dettori returned to the saddle from injury.

Retired to stud, Dubai Millennium had covered about three-quarters of his book of around 100 mares this breeding season.

And there may lie his legacy.