Big Buck’s, widely regarded as one of the all‑time greats among staying hurdlers, has passed away at the age of twenty‑three. The chestnut was owned by the late Andy Stewart and spent his racing career alongside a constellation of champions in Paul Nicholls’ stable – a period often described as a golden era that also featured the likes of Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded and Neptune Collonges. Although his connections initially imagined a future as a top‑class chaser, a dramatic fall at the final fence of the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup forced a permanent return to hurdling, a decision that ultimately defined his legacy.
From that point on, Big Buck’s never looked back, establishing a record‑breaking résumé that still stands as a benchmark for stamina and consistency. He captured the Stayers’ Hurdle – now known as the World Hurdle – an unprecedented four times, matched that feat in the Liverpool Hurdle, and triumphed three times in the Long Walk Hurdle. These victories cemented his reputation as a dominant force over long distances, and his partnership with jockey Ruby Walsh added a charismatic flair to his performances. Fans loved watching him settle into a flat spot mid‑race, only to unleash a powerful surge that carried him to the finish line.
Speaking to the Press Association, Nicholls reflected on the horse’s extraordinary talent: "Ability‑wise he was probably as good as anything I’ve ever trained. It’s a shame he never quite mastered the chase fence. He was a wonderful horse for a wonderful owner, and Andy enjoyed every moment of the journey, sharing it with everyone around him." He continued, "The horse lived a brilliant life, enjoyed a happy retirement with Mike and Lucy Felton, and sadly time eventually caught up with him. I was incredibly fortunate to have him in the same era as Kauto Star, Neptune Collonges, Master Minded and Denman – he was certainly on par with them." Big Buck’s was one of the last living links to that halcyon period for the Ditcheat‑based trainer.
After reverting to hurdles, he went on to win a then‑record eighteen consecutive National Hunt races, a streak only surpassed years later by Altior. The question that still lingers for Nicholls is how far the horse might have climbed had he been a natural over larger obstacles.
"He won the graded race at Aintree over fences, jumped eighteen fences in eighteen different ways and still won," Nicholls recalled. "It made me think he was a certainty in the Hennessy, and he was unlucky that day, but he just wasn’t a natural jumper of a fence. If Kauto Star hadn’t been around at that time, we probably would have persisted over fences, and he had the ability to win a Gold Cup.
If he had won the Hennessy that day, it would have given us a massive headache and we would have been curious where his career would have ended up." Nevertheless, over hurdles he was virtually invincible. Andy Stewart once joked that Nicholls was "bonkers" for sending him back to hurdling, but the decision proved to be the turning point that defined a legend. "History tells you how good he was – Cheltenham, Aintree, Newbury, Ascot – if there was a big staying hurdle race, he won it. All those Grade One victories on the trot – what a horse," Nicholls said.
Big Buck’s became a fixture on Thursday nights at the Cheltenham Festival, his signature flat spot often prompting a collective gasp from the crowd before he surged up the famous uphill finish under Walsh’s guidance. When asked to pick a single race from his decorated career, Nicholls highlighted the fourth consecutive World Hurdle win, where Big Buck’s held off a deep field, edging out the Irish challenger Voler La Vedette.
"That fourth World Hurdle sticks out as something very special," he explained. "But we had so many great days with such a brilliant horse, and we were all very lucky to be associated with him." Beyond the statistics, Big Buck’s left an indelible imprint on the sport. His consistency across multiple seasons provided a benchmark for future staying hurdlers, while his partnership with Walsh offered a template for the rider‑horse rapport that can turn a good race into a memorable one. The horse’s ability to deliver a flat spot – a momentary pause that built tension – followed by an explosive finish, gave spectators a dramatic narrative that repeated year after year, making each of his appearances a must‑watch event.
In retirement, he enjoyed a peaceful life under the care of Mike and Lucy Felton, who ensured his days were comfortable after the rigors of top‑level competition. His passing marks the end of an era, not just for Nicholls’ stable but for the broader National Hunt community, which lost a true ambassador of stamina, courage, and sheer will. As the racing world mourns, tributes continue to pour in, underscoring the respect Big Buck’s earned from owners, trainers, jockeys and fans alike.
His legacy will endure in the record books, in the stories told at festivals, and in the inspiration he provides to future generations of horses and humans who aspire to achieve greatness over the long, demanding courses of National Hunt racing.