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 bay gelding, once owned by the late Andy Stewart, was a cornerstone of trainer Paul Nicholls' celebrated era, sharing the yard with legends such as Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded and Neptune Collonges. Although his connections initially imagined a future as a top‑class chaser, a tumble at the final fence of the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup redirected his career back to hurdles, a move that proved decisive.
From that point onward, Big Buck’s never looked back, establishing a record‑breaking legacy that still resonates throughout National Hunt racing. He captured the Stayers’ Hurdle – now the World Hurdle – an unprecedented four times, matched the Liverpool Hurdle on four occasions, and triumphed three times in the Long Walk Hurdle. His partnership with jockey Ruby Walsh became iconic; spectators often saw the gelding settle into a flat spot before unleashing a powerful finishing surge that left rivals in his wake. When asked about the horse, Nicholls told the Press Association: "In terms of ability he was probably as good as anything I've ever trained.
It’s a real shame he never managed to jump a chase fence successfully. He was a wonderful horse for a wonderful owner, and Andy enjoyed every minute of the journey, sharing it with everyone involved." Nicholls continued, "The horse had a brilliant life, enjoyed his time with us, then had a wonderful retirement with Mike and Lucy Felton, but sadly time finally caught up with him. I was incredibly fortunate to have him alongside Kauto Star, Neptune Collonges, Master Minded and Denman – he was certainly on par with any of them." Big Buck’s was one of the last living links to that golden period for the Ditcheat‑based trainer. After reverting to hurdles, he amassed a then‑record eighteen consecutive National Hunt victories, a feat only eclipsed years later by Altior.
The question that still haunts Nicholls is how high the gelding might have climbed had he been a natural jumper over larger obstacles. "He won a graded race at Aintree over fences, jumped eighteen fences in eighteen different ways and still won," Nicholls reflected. "It made me think he was a certainty for the Hennessy, and he was unlucky that day, but he just wasn’t a natural fence‑jumper. If Kauto Star hadn’t been around at that time we probably would have persisted with him over fences, and he had the ability to win a Gold Cup.
Had he won the Hennessy that day, it would have given us a real headache and we would have been curious where his career would have ended up." "Over hurdles he was invincible. Andy used to say I was bonkers, but returning to hurdles was the best decision we ever made. History tells the story – Cheltenham, Aintree, Newbury, Ascot – if there was a major staying hurdle race, he won it. All those Grade 1s on the trot – what a horse," Nicholls added.
Big Buck’s became a Thursday fixture at the Cheltenham Festival, his trademark flat spot often prompting nervous gasps from the crowd before he surged forward, climbing the hill with Walsh urging him on. When pressed to name a single race that epitomised his brilliance, Nicholls highlighted the fourth consecutive World Hurdle victory, where the gelding fended off a deep field and edged out the Irish challenger Voler La Vedette. "That fourth World Hurdle sticks out as something very special," he said. Beyond that particular triumph, Nicholls emphasized the sheer volume of great days: "We had so many wonderful moments with such a brilliant horse, and we were all incredibly lucky to be associated with him." Big Buck’s legacy extends beyond statistics; his personality, consistency, and the joy he brought to fans have cemented his place in racing folklore.
Even as the sport evolves, his story serves as a reminder of the extraordinary impact a single horse can have when talent meets the right training, partnership, and circumstances. His passing marks the end of an era, but the memories of his flat‑spot sprints, his unrelenting stamina, and his unrivalled record will continue to inspire trainers, jockeys, and enthusiasts for generations to come.