LEGENDARY chaser Kauto Star was put down yesterday after sustaining injuries as the result of a fall in his paddock.

The 15-year-old former champion had been retrained for a career in dressage by three-day eventer Laura Collet after his trainer, Paul Nicholls, and his owner, Clive Smith, had disagreed over how he should spend his post-racing career.

The great chaser was treated at the Valley Equine Hospital in Upper Lambourn over the weekend to try and save his life after the fall last Wednesday but he was put down at 3pm on Monday, in the presence of Smith and veterinary assistant Hattie Lawrence, after his condition deteriorated.

Paul Nicholls, who trained Kauto to his famous victories, tweeted: "RIP my friend, you were a true Legend. Once in a lifetime."

On At The Races this morning Nicholls paid tribute to the outstanding chaser while regretting that his team had not been informed until after the horse had been put down and were given no time to say farewell.

Owner Clive Smith said: "He had been turned out in Laura's [Collett - rider] paddock, as has been done normally with him at this time for years, and he looks to have jumped something, and stumbled, we're not really sure, but he injured himself - and it became obvious it was serious.

The veterinary report detailed his injuries as fractures to the ilial shaft, tuber ischi and the greater trochanter of the femur, a fracture to the spine at the base of the neck, probably between C6 and T2 which produced the paralysis that made it impossible for him to stand.

Hattie Lawrence's veterinary report continued: "The secondary problems that contributed were pneumonia as a result of being cross tied and unable to put his head down, and laminitis which was the result of the toxins in his body and having to stand for so long."

Kauto Star was the outstanding chaser of the modern era. He won the King George VI Chase a record five times. He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, in 2007 and 2009, becoming the first horse to regain the cup after losing it in 2008 when seven lengths behind Denman. His rivalry with his stable companion was one of the highlights of the 2008-2009 seasons. He ran in Ireland three times - twice winning JN Wine Champion Chase at Down Royal in 2008 and 2010 and was pulled up at Punchestown in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup Chase 2011.

He is one of the most successful steeplechasers of modern era finishing his career with an outstanding £2,375,883 in earnings.

Timeform rated Kauto Star as the joint-third best steeplechase horse in their history. His rating of 191 is equal to Mill House and surpassed only by Arkle on 212 and Flyingbolt on 210.[29] He was officially rated the best steeplechase horse of the 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10 and 2011/12 seasons. He also achieved the highest Racing Post Rating ever awarded (192).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Races: 41

Wins: 23

Prize money: £2,375,883

Big race wins: Cheltenham Gold Cup (2007, 2009);

Tingle Creek Chase (2005, 2006).

JNWine.Cm Champion Chase (2008, 2010)

Commercial First Ascot Chase (2008)

King George VI Chase (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011);

Betfair Chase (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011)