Gold Cup hero Master Oats dies Kim Bailey's 1995 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Master Oats died on Monday morning at the age of 26. The strapping gelding, who carried the yellow and black colours of Paul Matthews, lived a long and happy retirement in the Cotswolds after his achievements. He had provided Bailey with the second leg of an incredible Festival double after Alderbrook had taken the Champion Hurdle, while he also won the same season's Welsh National, Rehearsal Chase and Pillar Chase. Master Oats also attempted to become the first horse since Golden Miller to take the Grand National in the same season as the Gold Cup, finishing seventh, and had his final start when fifth under a huge weight in the 1997 National. "He was a very special horse and winning the Gold Cup showed he was incredibly tough," said Bailey. "He had been living with Christopher Leigh near Stow-on-the-Wold and was ridden for a long time, having the odd day's hunting and going to various shows. "I went to see him last week when it looked as if he might not live much longer and sadly he died this morning. "You read about some horses having a tough time in retirement, but not for him, as he had the best possible time in one of the most beautiful places in the world."
