Owner Jim Lewis, Best Mate and trainer Henrietta Knight had great times before the horse's tragic death in November 2005

Best Mate's first Cheltenham Gold Cup win came in 2002, with jockey Jim Culloty on board

Tony McCoy and Best Mate (left) won the King George VI Chase at Kempton in December 2002

Back at Cheltenham the following year, Culloty and Best Mate beat Truckers Tavern by 10 lengths

It was far closer in 2004 but Best Mate edged Sir Rembrandt to join the elite band of triple Gold Cup winners

The 10-year-old gelding became the first horse since Arkle in the mid-1960s to win three straight Gold Cups

Knight and husband Terry Biddlecombe celebrate "Matey's" third success in 2004

Best Mate returned to win at Exeter in November 2004 - but missed Cheltenham with a burst blood vessel

On Best Mate's seasonal reappearance, he collapsed and died at Exeter on 1 November 2005