Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star has died, aged 15

Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star has died after sustaining injuries in a freak paddock accident at home.

The 15-year-old bay gelding, one of the highest-rated chasers of all time, had to be put down after suffering pelvis and neck injuries as a result of a fall in his paddock.

During a glittering career with champion trainer Paul Nicholls, the son of Village Star won 23 races including the King George VI chase at Kempton five times and was the first horse to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He retired from racing after pulling up in the 2012 renewal of the blue riband, his 41st track outing, and having accumulated well over £2m in prize money.

Kauto Star went on to pursue a career in dressage with Laura Collett and last December took part in a demonstration on the opening night of the London International Horse Show at Olympia.

Collett said: "It's an honour and a privilege to have been involved with him and had him in the yard.

'Minor injury'

"It's just horrendous. He was out in the field, the same field he was out in every day, we don't really know what happened, but he injured his neck and pelvis and sadly had to be put to sleep."

Owner Clive Smith explained Kauto Star had suffered what appeared to be a minor injury last week but his condition deteriorated over the weekend.

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He said: "It's all very, very sad. He was put out to grass, as in fact he always was, even at Paul Nicholls' (stables). He was put out for weeks at a time there.

"On this occasion he was out in the lovely sunshine, I was away at the time. I saw him on Friday and by that time he'd had what appeared to be a mild injury, but things gradually changed.

"The vet's report was brilliantly handled by Hattie Lawrence of the Valley Equine Hospital in Lambourn."

Referring to the report, Smith told At The Races: "He was not responding to treatment on Thursday and Friday and various complications came over the weekend.

"Although he made an improvement and rallied, as he always did in races, on Monday morning it was very bad.

"I came back down from Scotland and the decision was taken with Hattie Lawrence to euthanise the horse."

Reflecting on his astonishing racing career, Smith went on: "He's been a fantastic horse and when you think back about how brave he was, he had the heart of a lion.

"He was so brave, he had everything really. He was the complete racehorse.

"I have so many great memories, after all he won 16 Grade One chases.

"He was an absolutely incredible horse with a lot of speed, winning over two miles in Tingle Creeks, then right up to the Gold Cups, which he needed a lot of stamina for.

"He had a beautiful nature and he will sadly missed by a lot more people than you could ever imagine.

"The response I used to get around the racecourses, people used to come and talk about him all the time. He really has been well loved by everybody and I'm sure he'll continue to be so.

"He just loved the attention, he was a little bit of a show-off. He liked being stroked and given lots of Polos. He was a particularly extrovert type of horse and he was so talented as well, which makes it all the more difficult to take in.

"I just feel so sorry he didn't have chance to have a longer life."

A statement released on Smith's behalf at the same time said:  "I am devastated. He had been turned out in Laura's paddock, as has been the case normally with him at this time for years. We are not really sure how he did it, but he injured himself - and it became obvious it was serious.

"The vets at Valley Equine Hospital (in Lambourn) did all they could but it became increasingly apparent the injuries were too serious and that it was in the horse's interests to be put down.

"The onset of secondary problems, pneumonia and laminitis, as a result of the horse being unable to put his head down and the increase of toxins in his body after standing stationary for so long, highlight the challenges faced when treating serious injuries in horses.

"I have to say Hattie Lawrence and the vets at Valley Equine Hospital did all they could and more. Kauto was kept comfortable throughout and not in pain when the decision to put him down was taken."

Lawrence, the vet who treated Kauto Star at the Valley Equine Hospital, said: "It is always very upsetting when we are unable to save any horse but when it is a horse which means so much and has given so much pleasure to so many people it is particularly sad.

"Our thoughts are with all those associated with the horse and in particular, his owner, Clive Smith, who was involved throughout his treatment and was present when the decision was taken to humanely euthanase the horse.

"Kauto Star was referred to Valley Equine Hospital by his vet on Saturday when the injuries which he had suffered as a result of a fall earlier in the week were failing to respond satisfactorily to treatment.

"His injuries included a complex fracture to the pelvis and a fracture at the base of the neck, and these resulted in further complications.

"Whilst the range of treatments administered at the hospital in the 48 hours following his admission ensured that Kauto Star was comfortable, sadly his condition deteriorated again during Monday and, in the horse's best interests, a decision was taken together with Mr Smith to euthanase him on Monday afternoon."