Rated 191 by Timeform, Kauto Star was one of just a handful of steeplechasers since the early Sixties to be awarded a rating of 190 or more. In fact, according to the leading ratings organisation, he ranks joint-fourth in the all-time list, alongside Mill House and behind only Arkle, Flyingbolt and Sprinter Sacre.
Initially trained by Serge Foucher in Sennones, France, Kauto Star was sold to Clive Smith, against the wishes of his trainer, for €400,000 and transferred to Paul Nicholls at Manor Farm in Ditcheat, Somerset at the start of the 2004/05 National Hunt season. Sent over fences by his new trainer, Kauto Star made an immediate impact, easily winning a novices’ chase at Newbury on his British debut and failing by the minimum margin to follow up at Exeter, despite having fallen at the second last fence and been remounted by jockey Ruby Walsh.
Of course, Kauto Star will always be best remembered for his exploits in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which he won twice, in 2007 and 2009, and the King George VI Chase at Kempton, which he won a record five times, in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. However, it should not be forgotten that in his long, illustrious career he won 23 of his 41 races, including 19 of his 31 steeplechases, and £2.38 million in total prize money. Having fallen at the third fence when favourite for the Queen Mother Champion in 2006, he was ever-present in the Cheltenham Gold Cup between 2007 and 2012; in 2008, he became the first horse to regain his title after finishing a creditable second to his stable companion Denman in 2008.