Gold Cup legend Best Mate dies

Champion jockey Tony McCoy described him as "the best steeplechaser we've seen around for a long time."

McCoy rode the horse twice in the King George VI Chase - finishing second to Florida Pearl in 2001 and going one better 12 months later when Best Mate defeated Marlborough by a length and a half.

"Arkle won three Gold Cups and it was a long time before another horse came along to achieve the same as he did so I'm sure it will be pretty much the same with Best Mate, " said McCoy.

"He was a very good-looking horse and he walked round the parade ring like a show horse, just as if he knew everyone was looking at him. He had that charisma about him.

"My special memory would be winning the King George and I feel very privileged to have ridden such a brilliant horse."

Best Mate collapsed and died after he was pulled up by jockey Paul Carberry during his seasonal comeback in the Haldon Gold Cup.

The horse, trained by Henrietta Knight and owned by Jim Lewis, won the Gold Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Clare Balding, BBC Sport's racing presenter said: "You just don't expect a career to stop like that.

BEST MATE'S GOLD CUP TREBLE 2004: 18 March Won by �l 2003: 13 March Won by 10l 2002: 14 March Won by 1�l Career: Full record

"He was a horse that stepped outside the racing pages - people who aren't racing fans have heard of Best Mate.

"He wasn't unique, but was sensational and a very special and beautiful-looking horse. And he was the best Gold Cup winner of our lifetime."

Former BBC commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan, the 'Voice of Racing', said the horse was "infectiously charismatic".

"He has been a marvellous ambassador for the sport, as have his connections," he said.

"It was appropriate, in a way, that if the poor lad had to go - as we all have to sometime - that he went as he did as he wouldn't have suffered, which is an enormous consolation.

"I have to say, although it may not be the most appropriate time, I can't equate him to the talent of Arkle, who was a freak and was absolutely exceptional.

"The fact is Best Mate won three Gold Cups and that was a tremendous achievement.

Edward Gillespie, managing director of Cheltenham racecourse, said that everyone at Prestbury Park was shocked by his death.

He had the most impact on the sport of any horse in the last 40 years Cheltenham racecourse MD Edward Gillespie Cheltenham to honour Mate

"We are saddened for everyone in jumps racing but mostly for Henrietta, Terry, Jim and Valerie (Lewis), who were closest to him," he said.

"Somehow it is different because Best Mate attracted so many people to pay attention to the sport who would otherwise not even look at the racing pages.

"He had the most impact on the sport of any horse in the last 40 years, there can be no question of that," he said.

British Horseracing Board chairman Martin Broughton added that Best Mate had captivated the public with his success.

"The sadness of his death in tragic circumstances will be shared by all racing lovers," he said.

"Jim Lewis, Henrietta Knight and her team gave Best Mate every possible care and comfort during his career and his wonderful achievements will be remembered forever."