Kauto Star: the best steeplechaser since Arkle - in pictures

Kauto Star, on his British debut, leads Foreman over the water jump on his way to winning at Newbury in 2004 Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Kauto Star and Mick Fitzgerald clear the last at Sandown to win the Tingle Creek Chase of 2005, the horse's first Grade One success Photograph: John Gichigi/Getty Images

The steeplechaser's first win of four in the Betfair Chase in 2006 Photograph: Dave Kendall/EMPICS

The first of five wins for Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase, seen here beating Exotic Dancer in 2006 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The horse survives a mistake to win his first Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Kauto Star's second King George VI victory, beating Our Vic by 11 lengths in 2007 Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/PA Wire/PA Photos

The chaser was well beaten by his stablemate Denman in their famous Gold Cup clash of 2008 Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Kauto Star stumbles on landing at the last in the 2008 Betfair Chase, unseating Sam Thomas Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

With Ruby Walsh back in the saddle, Kauto Star wins his third King George VI Chase in 2008 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The horse turns the tables on Denman in 2009, becoming the first to regain the Gold Cup after losing it Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Kauto Star wins after an epic tussle in the home straight with Imperial Commander in the Betfair Chase of 2009 Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA

Arguably Kauto Star's most impressive victory, the King George VI Chase of 2009, where the horse won by an incredible 36 lengths Photograph: Julian Herbert/Getty Images

Kauto Star, seen on the way to his sole King George VI defeat at the hands of Long Run in January 2011, a month after the race was due to have been run Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Kauto Star is paraded through his home village of Ditcheat, Somerset, after scoring a fifth victory in the King George in December 2011, breaking Desert Orchid's previous record of four wins Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Paul Nicholls (right), the horse's trainer, and Clive Smith, his owner, celebrate with Kauto Star after his 2011 comeback in the Betfair Chase Photograph: Nigel French/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Kauto Star's final race in the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He races between Time for Rupert and Midnight Chase, before dropping out of contention at an early stage ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

... and the 12 year-old is led off the course by assistant trainer Dan Skelton, to applause from the grandstand Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images