Big Buck’s, widely regarded as one of the all‑time greats among staying hurdlers, has died at the age of 23. The former racehorse, owned by the late Andy Stewart, was a central figure in the golden era of trainer Paul Nicholls, sharing a stable with legends such as Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded and Neptune Collonges. Although his connections initially imagined him as a top‑class chaser, a tumble at the final fence of the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup forced him back to hurdling, a decision that proved to be the turning point of his career. From that moment on, Big Buck’s never looked back, establishing a record‑breaking résumé that still dazzles fans and professionals alike.
He claimed the Stayers’ Hurdle – now known as the World Hurdle – a record four times, dominated the Liverpool Hurdle on four occasions, and triumphed three times in the Long Walk Hurdle. His partnership with jockey Ruby Walsh was especially beloved; Walsh often described the horse’s characteristic flat spot before he would unleash a ferocious finishing burst that left rivals in his wake.
Speaking to the Press Association, Nicholls reflected on the horse’s extraordinary talent: “In terms of ability, he was probably the best horse I have ever trained. It’s a real shame he never managed to negotiate a chase fence successfully.” He added, “He was a wonderful animal for a wonderful owner, and Andy Stewart enjoyed every moment of the journey, sharing it with everyone around him.” Nicholls also praised the horse’s post‑racing life, noting that after retirement Big Buck’s enjoyed a peaceful existence with Mike and Lucy Felton. “He lived a brilliant life with us, then with the Feltons, and unfortunately time finally caught up with him,” he said.
Big Buck’s was one of the last living links to that halcyon period for the Ditcheat‑based trainer. When he switched back to hurdles, he went on to win a then‑record 18 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 jumper over larger obstacles. “He won a graded race at Aintree over fences, jumped 18 fences in 18 different ways and still came out on top,” Nicholls recalled. “It made me think he could have been a certainty in the Hennessy, but he just wasn’t a natural fence‑jumper.” He mused that if Kauto Star had not been in the picture at the time, they might have persisted with chasing, and Big Buck’s could have contested – perhaps even won – a Gold Cup. “If he had won the Hennessy that day, it would have given us a massive headache and opened a whole new chapter for his career,” Nicholls said.
Nevertheless, over hurdles he was virtually invincible. Andy Stewart once told Nicholls he was “bonkers” for returning the horse to hurdling, but the decision proved to be the best move ever made. “History tells the story of his greatness – Cheltenham, Aintree, Newbury, Ascot – if there was a major staying hurdle race, he won it.
All those Grade One victories on the trot – what a horse.” Big Buck’s became a fixture on Thursday evenings at the Cheltenham Festival, where his signature flat spot would cause a collective gasp from the crowd before he surged into top gear, powering up the famous hill under Walsh’s guidance. When asked to pick a single race from his glittering career, Nicholls singled out the fourth consecutive World Hurdle victory, where Big Buck’s held off a deep field and edged out the Irish challenger Voler La Vedette. “That fourth World Hurdle is the one that sticks out as being very special,” he said.
He concluded, “We had so many great days with such a brilliant horse and we were all very lucky to be associated with him.” The legacy of Big Buck’s endures not only in the record books but also in the memories of everyone who witnessed his unrivaled stamina, his dramatic finishes, and his gentle temperament off the track. His passing marks the end of an era, but his achievements continue to inspire trainers, jockeys and racing enthusiasts worldwide.