Jim Lewis, the owner of triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate, has died at the age of 88. Best Mate won a third Gold Cup in 2004, becoming the first horse since Arkle 40 years earlier to seal the treble.
Best Mate won a third Gold Cup in 2004, becoming the first horse since Arkle 40 years earlier to seal the treble.
“He was a great racehorse – there can have been very few in the world like him,” said the affable Brummie of Best Mate.
Before his first Gold Cup win, Lewis said: “Don’t look back if you can’t smile. Don’t look forward if you can’t dream.” His widow Jennifer told BBC Midlands Today that Lewis died on Sunday due to kidney failure.