So long Mate

Yesterday a great racehorse died from a heart attack at Exeter racecourse. Best Mate was a superb horse, having won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times, a feat not done since Arkle's treble back in the 1960s. 'Matey' was a beautiful bay gelding, with near perfect conformation, and was an natural athlete, intelligent (for horse) and he was a superb 'chaser who was neat and tidy over his fences, rarely making any mistakes. I'll miss having the pleasure of watching this lovely horse, he had a wonderful quality about him, as soon as he moved you could see what an animal he was. I have a picture of him somewhere doing dressage, and there you could see how fabulous his paces were, he was such an elegant a mover.

My condolences to his owner Jim Lewis who took so much pride (and rightly so!) in his horse, and to his trainers Henrietta Knight and Terry Biddlecombe who had taken such care over this horse (Henrietta's jitters over this horse is the stuff of legend) and to all those people who looked after him daily, especially his lad.

A fine horse and a very sad ending to such an illustrious career. Will miss you Matey.