BEST MATE DEAD

WORCESTERSHIRE is in mourning today with the news the county's hero horse - Best Mate - is dead.

The triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner's much-heralded racecourse return ended tragically as he suffered a fatal heart attack at Exeter yesterday.

Owner Jim Lewis, of Callow End, near Worcester, was still reeling from the trauma as the Worcester News went to press.

He said: "He was a great racehorse - there can be very few in the world like him. He helped us raise thousands of pounds for charity and he made a lot of difference to many people's lives.

"What a pleasure he was to own and how much he meant to me. I will never forget him."

Thousands of people across the county shared Mr Lewis's jubilation as the 10-year-old romped home to victory in three successive Gold Cups.

But the legendary horse was forced to miss this year's attempt at a fourth consecutive triumph when he burst a blood vessel in his final workout before the big race. However, there were high hopes the much-loved gelding could win a fourth trophy next year.

But the dream ended in despair at the side of the course at Exeter.

Jockey Paul Carberry was tracking the leader Ashley Brook for the first half of the race but he started to nudge the horse on as the leaders moved clear.

Carberry began to ease him into the home straight, eventually pulling him up.

Screens were swiftly erected around Best Mate and thousands of racegoers waited for news.

Their worst fears were confirmed. Best Mate had not raced in public since finishing second in Ireland last Christmas but all had seemed well with preparations for his comeback.

Trainer Henrietta Knight was quick to the scene on the course yesterday.

She said: "I was actually on the track where he came down and I was the first one there. I knew immediately he died."

She added: "I am very proud of him - he looked an absolute picture today on a course he loved. He was a joy to work with and a pleasure to train.

"We will all miss him very much."

Village in shock

VILLAGERS in Callow End greeted the news about their community's racing hero with shock and sadness yesterday.

News of Best Mate's death spread quickly among residents who agreed it was a sad day and that their hearts went out to owner, Jim Lewis. Owner of Callow End Village Stores, Glenys Patrick, told the Worcester News almost everyone who had been in the shop had commented on the tragedy.

"Everybody's talking about the very sad news. This is a big thing for the village as so many people followed Best Mate's fortunes. I know Jim very well and am thinking of him. I bet he is devastated."

Resident Ken Franks added: "It is a shock, I was only listening to the fact he was racing today on the news this morning. A lot of people will be upset."

The horse that won all our hearts

BEST Mate was more than a racehorse to the people of Worcestershire - he had become a legend and his loss will undoubtedly be felt by many thousands.

There were high hopes he would achieve a fourth Cheltenham Gold Cup victory in next year's meeting after a broken blood vessel ruled him out of this year's event. The 11-year-old bay became the first horse since Arkle in the 1960s to take three Gold Cups when he triumphed at the Cheltenham Festival in 2004 ridden by Jim Culloty.

Writing his place in the history books, the hot favourite pipped Harbour Pilot in a thrilling finish. He was responsible for betting fever engulfing the county on Gold Cup days with bookies reporting booming business whenever the big prize was up for grabs. His first Gold Cup victory in 2002 had Callow End in frenzy. In a nail-biting finish he was neck and neck with Commanche Court and See More Business over the final hurdle, but Best Mate swept home by almost two lengths and his victory was described by trainer Hen-rietta Knight as "poetry in motion." The following year, Jim Culloty again wearing the claret and blue of Aston Villa fan Jim Lewis, once more stormed home. He had been in seventh place but won comfortably.

Through his exploits, the hero horse became a well-known figure in the Midlands and helped raise funds for Worcester-based St Richard's Hospice, which helps people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, with a range of merchandise celebrating his achievements. Jim Lewis is a patron of the St Richard's New Hospice Appeal and has held a number of events for the charity.

Marilyn Peachey, director of fund-raising at St Richard's, said: "We were all really sad to hear the news and our hearts go out to Jim, who has been incredibly supportive of us."