Big Bucks, Champion Hurdler, Dies at 23

Big Bucks, one of the greatest staying hurdlers in National Hunt racing history, has died at the age of 23. The champion, who was part of a golden era for trainer Paul Nicholls, passed away recently, with his death announced on August 8, 2026.

Trained by Nicholls at Ditcheat and owned by the late Andy Stewart, Big Bucks was a contemporary of stable legends Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded, and Neptune Collonges. He was originally viewed as a potential top-class chaser, but a fall at the final fence in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup prompted a return to hurdles, a decision that defined his career.

Upon reverting to the smaller obstacles, Big Bucks became invincible. He set a then-record of 18 consecutive National Hunt victories, a mark later surpassed by Altior. His record included a then-unprecedented four wins in the Cheltenham Stayers' Hurdle, four victories in the Liverpool Hurdle, and three wins in the Long Walk Hurdle. He formed a celebrated partnership with jockey Ruby Walsh and became a crowd favourite, often appearing to struggle mid-race before surging clear to win.

Nicholls paid tribute to the horse, stating, "Ability-wise he was probably as good as anything I've ever...