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Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and dual King George winner Kicking King has died aged 25.
He was a very good Gold Cup winner and showed his versatility by winning the King George on two different courses. The race was staged at Sandown in 2005 when Kempton was closed while the all weather track was being built.
He was well trained by Tom Taafe and well ridden by Barry Geraghty.
It sounds like he had a very happy retirement at the Irish National Stud.
He was a real favourite of mine and I am sorry to hear he has gone. Condolences to his connections.
I saw Kicking King at the Irish National Stud in 2016. He was enjoying his days in the paddock. He had a good retirement.
Farewell to the ‘King’ and glad to hear that he had a long and happy retirement. ⚘
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Still remember his jump at the 4th last in his first King George; like a deer, and so quickly away from the fence.
He was the first of two very classy and speedy Irish seven year old Gold Cup winners sandwiched between a host of GB victors from 1097 to 2004 and 2007 to 2013 inclusive. The other was War of Attrition (2006) who died las year. Both looked imperious on their days of triumph, and were quite clearly the best in the field. Both later made significant comebacks after injury,buthad lost their brilliance. Kicking King at least stayed sound long enough to remain as top UK chaser for over year, winning two King George’s T different courses. Despite being Irish his win was very popular in GB where the Taaffe dynasty is loved, especially Tpm’s dad Pat, who rode Arkle.
What a fantastic group of horses won the Gold Cup in the Noughtirs ! So much more impressive and charismatic than some more recent winners,a, although I have higher hopes for Galopin des Champs if he stays sound,
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