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Horse Racing Biography

Best Mate

“Best Mate”

Irish · England · Born 1 January 2000

Racehorse
3
gold cup wins
2002-04
gold cup years
3
consecutive wins
Henrietta Knight
trainer

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British National Hunt champion whose three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups from 2002 to 2004 under Jim Lewis's ownership and Jim Culloty's riding produced the finest three-peat in the history of the race.

Best Mate was a legendary Irish-bred chaser trained by Henrietta Knight who won three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups from 2002 to 2004, becoming only the third horse to achieve this feat. His partnership with jockey Jim Culloty produced three of the most celebrated Gold Cup victories in the race's history, and his tragic death on the racecourse in 2005 was mourned throughout the racing world.

Famous For

Three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup victories

Playing Style

How They Played

Strong stayer with excellent jumping ability and tactical speed

Legacy

Lasting Impact

One of the greatest National Hunt racehorses, regarded as a Cheltenham legend

Career Journey

Timeline

2002 📌 Professional racing debut
2002 🏆 First Cheltenham Gold Cup victory
2003 🏆 Second consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup win
2004 🏆 Third consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup win
2004 🎯 King George VI Chase victory at Kempton
2005 🎯 Final race at Exeter before retirement
Career Timeline — Best Mate
2002
Professional racing debut
2002
First Cheltenham Gold Cup victory
2003
Second consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup win
2004
Third consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup win
2004
King George VI Chase victory at Kempton
2005
Final race at Exeter before retirement