ON THIS DAY - 28th JANUARY

On this day in 1995 Best Mate was born.  He was an Irish-bred, English-trained racehorse and three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2004 ridden by Jim Culloty and trained by Henrietta Knight.  He also won the 2002 King George VI Chase.

Best Mate died during a race in 2005 and his ashes were scattered at the finishing post at Cheltenham where a statue was also erected in his honour.

A book by Anne Holland describes Best Mate as the nation's favourite horse.