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Best Mate The Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner Died

The Much-Loved Horse, Trained By Henrietta Knight Is Now Only A Legend.

Famous horse Best Mate collapsed and recently died of a heart attack after his run in William Hill Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.

The wonderful horse was trained by Henrietta Knight and during his sport life Best Mate won three Cheltenham Gold Cups, in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

"He died doing what he enjoyed doing - and that was racing," said his trainer, Henrietta Knight.

Henrietta, who was on the scene soon after the horse collapsed revealed: "I was actually on the track where he came down and I was the first one there. I knew immediately he had died. As I saw him go down I knew I was seeing a dead horse and I just wanted it to be over as quickly as possible."

"I have ridden a horse before who suffered a heart attack while I was on board and I have to say this looks reminiscent of that. The legs go, they wobble and then they go down.

"It hasn't sunk in yet but I am honoured to have had a wonderful horse like him to train and he really put my yard on the map," she added.