Steeplechase legend Kauto Star was retired this morning.

Fairly inevitable news, but given the horse never quite certain as there were rumblings over the summer that he would have another crack at Haydock and the King George.

Boxing Day and Gold Cup day won't quite feel the same this season without his name on the racecards.

Big boots to fill, not just in terms of a horse coming along that can win all he did in the way he did, but in terms of being such a favourite with the public and once/twice a year punters.

Grade 1 Roll of honour:

Tingle Creek Chase, 2005, 2006. (Sandown)
Betfair Chase, 2006, 2007, 2009 , 2011 (Haydock)
King George Chase, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 (Kempton)
Cheltenham Gold Cup, 2007, 2009 (Cheltenham)
Ascot Chase, 2008 (Ascot)
JN Wine Champion Chase, 2008, 2010 (Down Royal)

LEGEND!

like you say boxing day and cheltenham wont be the same, brought me so many good days and memories that will last me a lifetime

my fave horse of all time

will be missed, might of won the gold cup last year if he didnt have the interruption before hand (fall)

saw him twice in the flesh, at haydock when he just pipped imperial commander

and i went to kempton when mccoy rode him but he lost that king george...gutted i wasnt there last year!

wish him a long and happy retirement!!!!

my favourite memory is probably the king george that he won by 30 something lengths, he was absolutely imperious that day.

ruby was definitely the key to him. two high profile races where ruby didn't ride are the betfair at haydock where sam thomas put him through the fence box and the king george at kempton where he never quite responded for AP.

my fave race was the betfair at haydock last year, all the calls for retirment and was going to be his last race if he didnt fire but he won!!!! brilliant then went on to win the king george

ruby got on very well with him , mccoy that day at kempton it just didnt work out

hes going to parade at haydock on the 24th ....betfair chase day...think ill be going to see him