Bay gelding Kauto Star is now 11 years old and many experts had speculated that he had reached the twilight of his illustrious career. As he made his now customary seasonal debut in the 3 mile Betfair Chase at Haydock, the mood among commentators and punters was ominous. The former reflected on his glorious career in days gone by with fatalistic undertones, whilst the latter backed younger rivals Long Run and Diamond Harry over their old favourite, sending him off at the almost insulting odds of 6/1. Though an abundance of Kauto Star scarves demonstrated the enduring public affection for the horse, it seemed that for most racing followers believing he could win represented a victory of the heart over the head.
The Incomparable Kauto Star
Kauto Star was seeking his 15th Grade one race victory, having already won the Betfair Chase three times along with his four great victories in the King George at Kempton and two Cheltenham Gold Cups. His achievements over the years have been unprecedented and he is deservedly respected as one of the greatest chasers ever seen. In 2007 he became the first horse officially top rated at the disparate distances of two, two and a half and three miles in the same season, each usually the preserve of a specialist horse, and was also the first ever winner of the one million pound Betfair bonus when he took the Betfair Chase, King George and Gold Cup. In 2009 he changed racing history, becoming the first horse ever to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In the same year he became the first horse to win the King George chase four years in a row, breaking Arkle’s 44 year old winning distance record at the same time. He also passed an earnings landmark by breaking the two million pound prize money barrier- a figure that excluded his Betfair bonus. Finally in 2010 Kauto Star became the first horse ever to win Grade one chases in six successive years when he won the JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal, beating the Queen Mother Champion Chase hero in waiting, Sizing Europe.
The lack of confidence over Kauto’s reappearance stemmed from his last race, when he was pulled up by regular jockey Ruby Walsh for the first time in his long and illustrious career. Kauto ran at Punchestown in the Guinness Gold Cup Chase in May 2011, nearly two months after his gallant third at Cheltenham. He was never nearer than fifth in that contest and dropped out tamely as the race began in earnest. Walsh later reported he had never been travelling and many racing commentators and fans then called on trainer Paul Nicholls to retire the horse rather than allow him to deteriorate. Unflappable as ever, Nicholls assured his critics that the horse had simply been over the top, something it can be hard to judge away from the track, and that he retained all his old enthusiasm at home. Given his charge’s love of the job, he felt it was only fair to allow him to continue to race.
The Rivals
On his first run of the season, the form suggested that race favourite Long Run deserved his place at the head of the market. This talented young horse came from France in 2009 with a huge reputation, but took a little time to his stride in the UK. Last season he carried all before him, beating Kauto Star into 3rd in two big races when taking the 2010 King George and the 2011 Gold Cup. Diamond Harry was also attracting support in the betting ring and was second choice of the punters over Kauto Star. The brilliant but fragile eight year old gelding was another making his seasonal debut, having won the 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup on his latest outing. Next in the betting came Time For Rupert, one of last season’s most outstanding novices who had just fallen short of high expectations on his reappearance, and Weird Al, Time for Rupert’s conqueror when they met at Wetherby, a horse of undoubted talent with five wins from seven chase starts and a run in the Gold Cup to his name. The latter pair also had race fitness to add to their claims.
The Preliminaries
The crowd at Haydock were decked out in Kauto Star scarves and delighted to see their hero, cheering him warmly as he sauntered around the parade ring and out onto the course. In the betting ring the late money came for Diamond Harry with the bookmakers hoping to get the favourite, Long Run, beat. Diamond Harry and Weird Al were both on their toes at the start and their jockeys, James Reveley and Timmy Murphy respectively, took their feet out of the irons for a spell to encourage their mounts to relax, but essentially all the horses exhibited a professional attitude and awaited the off quite calmly. Coming into the starting tape there were no worrying moments and the small field headed out onto the course closely grouped.
The Race
At the off Kauto Star and Time For Rupert shared the running and both jumped the first well. By the second Kauto had taken the clear advantage and led the field at a steady pace over the following fences, now shaded by Diamond Harry. Flanked by these young pretenders Kauto continued to demonstrate neat and solid jumping. Long Run steadily took closer order, moving up to join the leader at about halfway. The latter horse made a small error at this obstacle and another at the next whilst his older rival for the lead remained fluent. Soon the favourite was under pressure and losing second place to Diamond Harry, who still looked to be moving comfortably and appeared the most obvious danger. Four from home Kauto was still jumping accurately and fast, but Diamond Harry had begun to crack. Long Run, though still being ridden hard by jockey Sam Waley-Cohen was digging in and not done with. Walsh began to urge his mount on and the noise was deafening as the crowd began to roar the old champion home. At the last a good jump was needed and Walsh trusted his horse to deliver- he did, and drove clear up the run-in. Long Run could make no impression but kept on one-paced for second and it was Weird Al who stayed on best at the death to secure third when Diamond Harry weakened approaching the final fence.
Result: 1st Kauto Star, 6/1, 2nd Long Run, 6/5 Fav (8 lengths), 3rd Weird Al, 7/1 (2 lengths), 4th Diamond Harry, 7/2 (8 lengths), 5th Time For Rupert, 6/1 (7 lengths), Pure Faith 66/1 PU before 14th fence
Aftermath
As Kauto crossed the line trainer Paul Nicholls was seen punching the air with joy and he immediately rushed to greet and pat his horse who was also receiving the effusive praise of his jockey. The scenes of jubilation post- race were spectacular, as Kauto was roared back to the winner’s enclosure by the ecstatic crowd and beaming connections, including proud owner Clive Smith, made no secret of their delight. The cheers rang out for horse, jockey and trainer and cameras flashed around the ring. Decked in his Betfair rug, Kauto took a lap of honour for his fans before returning to the stables.
Nicholls later confirmed that, depending on how he was after the race, Kauto Star could once again contest the King George, where he will likely to face off against both Long Run and talented stable mate Master Minded, before a final run in the Gold Cup, after which he is likely to be officially retired.
Sources
Paula Sainthouse - Paula Sainthouse holds qualifications in psychology, public relations, horse management & animal behaviour.
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