ALCESTER trainer Dan Skelton has hailed Kauto Star as a “horse in a million” after the jump racing superstar died following a freak paddock accident this week.

He suffered pelvis and neck injuries after a fall last Wednesday and had to be put down on Monday after intensive medical treatment failed to save his life.

Skelton was assistant trainer to Paul Nicholls during Kauto Star’s glittering career.

The 15-year-old won the King George VI Chase at Kempton five times and was became the first horse to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He retired from racing after pulling up in the 2012 renewal of the event having won 23 of his 41 races and captured more than £2million in win and place prize-money.

Skelton, who trains at Lodge Hill, Shelfield Green, Alcester, said: “He was a horse in a million.

"He was a great character who did so much for racing, not just for us when I worked for Paul, and Ruby Walsh, but for the whole racing industry.

“He will always have a special place in the hearts of a lot people as he was a real character that loved the attention.

“He loved the cameras and was just a superstar. Although he will be very sadly missed, and while he is not part of our lives any longer, it doesn’t mean that he will be forgotten.”