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Down Royal proud to have hosted Kauto Star

Down RoyalDown Royal
© Photo Healy Racing

Down Royal general manager Michael Todd admits seeing the late great Kauto Star line up at the Country Antrim circuit is the highlight of his career in racing.

The legendary steeplechaser had to be put down on Monday after suffering neck and pelvic injuries in a paddock accident.

The 15-year-old retired from racing in 2012 having won five King George VI Chases at Kempton and become the first horse to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Also among his 16 Grade One triumphs were two victories in Down Royal's JNwine.com Champion Chase in 2008 and 2010, his only successes in Ireland.

Todd said: "Paul Nicholls has always been very supportive of our Festival here in Down Royal, but for him to bring Kauto Star over twice was just incredible.

"We're a track in Northern Ireland. We're not Cheltenham or Ascot or Aintree. We do what we can with what we have, but to see Kauto Star run here and win here was without doubt the highlight of my career in racing.

"The first year he came over in 2008, I was just delighted to see his name among the entries for the race. That was a phenomenal result it itself.

"But then to actually have him come over here and run was hugely exciting and I think every member of staff had their photograph taken with him.

"It meant so much to us all. We've had some very good horses run at Down Royal over the years, even last season Don Cossack won the Powers Irish Whiskey Chase, but Kauto Star was in a league of his own.

"In my mind, there's no doubt he's the best steeplechaser we've seen since Arkle and it's tragic news he's no longer with us."