Paul Nicholls can't see himself working with Clive Smith again

[@tommymartyn2605]

The good thing about Kauto's retirement is that we don't have to see Smith again. Used to get on my nerves when they interviewed him after each victory. Victories which he contributed nothing to. He just got lucky, Nicholls, Walsh & stable staff did the winning.

[@MrSmid888]

It was a disgrace when Kauto killed himself by accident and Clive didn’t contact Paul the family or the staff who didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. Absolute DISGRACE.

[@terenceherming1838]

The fallout had already occurred when they sent him doing dressage.

[@MrSmid888]

@@terenceherming1838 The horse was retired, the horse wasn’t Pauls. Clive kept the horse busy with the dressage. Cue Card does hunts, much more dangerous than a Gold Cup. Silviniaco Conti died hunter chasing, terrible sport that, look it up it you’re not aware. Huge hedges and time trials. Personally the lady that had Kauto I don’t think should have, the whole thing stinks. He seemingly broke his own neck. Not impossible but very rare.

[@terenceherming1838]

@@MrSmid888 O.k I thought it was because of dressage Paul nicolls was mad.

[@MrSmid888]

@@terenceherming1838 They fell out before Kauto retired, I can’t remember why. A shame really. England struggles for big money NH owners now. Hence Irish domination

[@Caedmon25]

and thats just the way it is when people have a temporary shared responsibility for a great horse. Look back on the good times and when the end comes, everyone needs to move on. As long as the horse is happy and well cared for, thats what really matters.

[@stationofdreams8242]

Well we don't know what really went on between them. But I like Paul Nicholls. His results say a lot for him. Plus he's always willing to be interviewed and talk about his horses win or loose. So I have a lot respect for the man and his judgement.

[@honeymclean]

Risking tbe life of Kauto Star in the Gold Cup just shows what these men (Nichols,Walsh,Smith) are all about,they couldnt step of the "Vanity Podium" knowingly running an unjured horse and thinking the Gold Cup wouldnt be the same if they werent there.

[@honeymclean]

*injured"

[@stopsponge7504]

How can ruby Walsh be the blame 1st off and secondly who has the final say wether a horse runs or Not?? ........surely it's down to the owner as the other 2 work for him

[@MrSmid888]

It was a disgrace when Kauto killed himself by accident and Clive didn’t contact Paul the family or the staff who didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. Absolute DISGRACE.

[@bazglsgw1208]

At least you know Nicholls is always trying he reported Harry Findlay for laying Denman. Harry said he ment to back it hahaha 😂😂😂

[@peterboi981]

All I can say about the fallout is that Clive Smith did say when he announced Kauto Stars retirement that his intention was to move the great horse nearer his home after being paraded at Kempton on Boxing Day as he felt it too far to travel to Ditchet to see his great warrior. It didn't bother him for the last 8 years. To take Kauto out of his comfort zone and put him into dressage doesn't mean he will take to it like Neptune Collanges. At least Neptune is used to Lisa Hales looking after him.

[@MrSmid888]

It was a disgrace when Kauto killed himself by accident and Clive didn’t contact Paul the family or the staff who didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. Absolute DISGRACE.

[@RoyChadwick51]

Pumpkin head said in his book he’s awkward to live with . I mean he’s massively overweight , he should be happy that a bird wants to share a bed with him imo ❤

[@MrPaulie17]

Should have being given to the national stud like in Ireland great retirement with all these Old running mates and people coming in to see him and all the other Legends have entertained us jumps and the flat

[@Jaygud]

Tommy, the man paid over €400,000 for the horse so it was more than getting lucky. He took a big financial risk and was rewarded for it. I love the horse and think Paul Nicholls did an amazing job over the years as did Ruby Walsh but at the end of the day Clive Smith owns him and it was his call and don't forget that Paul and Ruby made plenty of money out of the horse too.

[@michaelboyle5805]

The Nicholls's horses run now. Could do Smiths money now to buy his way back to the top

[@thequietmanpaddynevin9091]

Exactly no owners no racing, Trainers train horses based primarily on philanthropy if you remove gambling etc ! So in essence they aren’t all that special and get too much deference ! Your bang on

[@MrConnolly25]

Paul Nicholls clearl stated a decision hadn't been made when Clive Smith had already said the horse was retired.

[@leah187x]

Actually, Paul Nicholls thought it was fine for Kauto to retire, since the welfare of the old king comes first, but he was obviously pissed off that Clive decided that Kauto would spend the next couple of years trotting in circles instead of living out his days with the people and horses he has spent every day with for the past 8 years. Its like Usain Bolt in a ballet competition. Poor Kauto, he must be bored out of his mind.

[@Ytnzy250]

I heard he broke his leg & had to be put down, awful, such a shame.

[@MrConnolly25]

Paul Nicholls didn't want the horse to retire from racing,Clive Smith stated after last seasons festival that in all probability Kauto had ran his last race,he later retired the horse from racing....Nicholls continuesly undermined this by saying nothing was decided.Nicholls wanted Kauto Star to race on, his owner didn't & rightly used his dicretion or authority as the owner to make the final decision.All trainers are paid & receive a cut of horses winnings on top of training fees,Smith was right

[@matherspad]

MrConnolly25 smiths a cunt , look what happened to kauto ☹️

[@davidzly]

Smith was deadly wrong! Kauto Star paid with he’s life!

[@999LDS]

Its like Usain Bolt retiring then running for $10 at a fun fair. Retire with dignity.

[@grincher2006]

A great horse like Kauto Star should unite not divide, but thats before you can factor in egos.

[@betfairepicfail4856]

Still waiting for that one

[@alipitogen]

Thhere has to be more going on there than reported.Trainers and owners do not normally fall out come a great or good horse's retirement.It's usually a time of celebration to welcome a gladiator's survival, and the accepted precedent is that the owner takes the horse where he pleases.

[@ladygardener100]

Not always, the trainer will advise the owner on what is best for the horse, often retiring to an owners farm, or to the hunting field for light duties, The idea of re training for dessage is just stupid in a horse with so many miles on the clock. The owner had an agenda.

[@mkfloyd9131]

8 years, enough said.

[@MrConnolly25]

Sad episode this! trainers should never foget that horses have owners & that the owner employs the trainer.

[@mkfloyd9131]

You cannot possibly know that, unless you can read minds, and be honest(ha) you can't.

[@SuperAlexd88]

straight shooter

[@xyzxyz997]

Toys out the pram springs to mind. Clive Smith owned the horse end of. It was his decision simple as that. Thought Nicholls made an absolute idiot of himself over this.

[@terencetrentwatford.632]

Of course he did . He's only the bleedin trainer FFS . Buffoon .

[@thequietmanpaddynevin9091]

💯 per cent

[@MarkRobertCuthbert]

he was 12 years of age.

[@mickykedian7753]

But he didn’t start racing as a yearling 😆😆😆

[@csb7376]

@@mickykedian7753 What do you even mean by that? Obviously he didn't race as a yearling, but 12 years old is past the prime of EVERY NH rachehorse. Not to say they can't win at 12, but peak is generally considered 8-9 years old.

[@terencetrentwatford.632]

Layed for thousands win and place . Absolute thousands 😎

[@rabnesbit4242]

Could have had another 2 Gold cups.

[@TLF1]

He was pulled up when last in his last Gold Cup. He couldn't ha Be run in anymore Gold cups. Ridiculous comment killing horse in races when they're clearly too old and finished is horse abuse. Kuto had to be retired when he was. It would have been shameful to see Kauto running in fox hunter chases. Retired at the right time when horse was past his best and nothing left.

[@MrConnolly25]

Why?

[@AtrrukHead]

I would love to have his money

[@salllu]

biggest mug of all...