Jim Lewis (1934 - 2023)
If Ireland has her Cheltenham Festival favourites – Arkle, Moscow Flyer and Florida Pearl, so too does England in the shape of Golden Miller, Mill House and Desert Orchid. But if there was one single horse who became the public property of English racegoers then it would surely be Best Mate.
The winner of three Gold Cups from 2002 to 2004, it wasn’t just his success on a racecourse which saw him widely regarded as the people’s horse, but also his flamboyant owner, Jim Lewis, who would lead a team of supporters into the parade ring sporting the claret and blue of his beloved Aston Villa Football Club. Born in 1934, the bed manufacturer ran SilentNight bed company before setting up his own furniture importing business.
Owning his horses with his wife Valerie, the pair enjoyed a host of successes, including Nakir, winner of the 1994 Arkle, and Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Edredon Bleu.
Lewis’ finest hours always seemed to be celebrated with an entourage of like-minded souls, who would bellow their rendition of the ‘Best Mate theme song’ – an anthem to the tune of Amazing Grace – in the winners’ enclosure. He was instantly recognisable, buoyantly enthusiastic, and always cheerful - the perfect backdrop to Best Mate’s career.
When there was a big day to be celebrated, ‘Lucky Jim’ was never found shying away from the camera. His beaming smile was usually there to be seen, whether that was leading in his Grade 1 winners, or at the very least waving his club colours at racecourses all over the country.
Having been beaten by Florida Pearl in the previous year’s King George, Best Mate was sent off 7-1 third favourite in the 2002 Gold Cup. Irish outsider Commanche Court, trained by Ted Walsh and ridden by his son Ruby, and twelve-year-old See More Business disputed the lead approaching the second last. Travelling powerfully on the inside was Jim Culloty on Best Mate, and the young horse quickened impressively to stretch clear up the infamous incline.
The following year, his success was even easier. Arriving on the back of King George success, Best Mate took control at the second last and surged up the hill, readily accounting for Truckers Tavern by 10 lengths. It was the first time since L’Escargot in 1971 that a champion had successfully defended his crown.
We had seen his high cruising speed, natural fencing ability and sheer class throughout his career, but it was not until completing the Holy Grail hat-trick in 2004 that he proved he was also a battler. After the course suffered a late deluge, Culloty and Terry Biddlecombe, husband and assistant trainer to Henrietta Knight, decided the best ground was down the inside. This chosen tactic at Prestbury Park often meant you were gambling on getting a clear run.
Best Mate had been flicking over his fences as accurately as usual when Andrew Thornton (Sir Rembrandt) and Paul Carberry (Harbour Pilot) hemmed him in at the last ditch. At this moment it was a test of nerve for rider Jim Culloty. Despite the scrimmaging, Culloty found the split and pulled Best Mate out to jump the second last fence. The pair were met with a tremendous roar from the assembled faithful and Jim was as hard on his old partner as he had ever been driving up the hill.
injury stopped the handsome son of Un Desperado attempt a fourth successive victory in 2005, whilst the story ended in horrible tragic circumstances at Exeter the following November. Best Mate was commemorated by a lifesized statue by the paddock, and every year Lucky Jim would lay a wreath at his feet - in the Aston Villa colours, naturally.