Owner Jim Lewis has vowed Best Mate will return to try to reclaim his totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup crown next season after the gelding was yesterday ruled out of the big race.
The 10-year-old would have been trying for a fourth successive win in the blue riband next Friday, but he broke a blood vessel on the gallops yesterday morning.
Lewi said: "It's very sad and very disappointing for all of us. I have had people coming in here crying their eyes out. You would think it was a disaster. Well, it isn't a disaster, a tsunami is a disaster.
"I'm really sorry for everybody that lost money, including myself, but we are hopeful that he will be back to normal next year.
"Whoever wins the Gold Cup this year, I shall wish him all the best and remind him that he has only borrowed it."
Trainer Henrietta Knight had been putting the finishing touches to Best Mate's preparation in a piece of work on fellow trainer Mick Channon's gallops.
Lewis explained: "He went on the gallops at about 9.30am and Jackie Jenner, Best Mate's groom, was not happy with him as he got into the middle of his work.
"She slowed him down because she wasn't happy with him and pulled him to a halt, and there was blood coming down the nose.
"The vet has seen him and he said there's absolutely no way he would run, so the dream has come to a temporary end."
Robert Alner, who trains new Gold Cup favourite Kingscliff, said: "It is such a shame - you almost feel like it is one of your own horses. Best Mate is a true champion and now he can't come back to defend his crown.
"Whoever wins this year will always feel that they won because Best Mate wasn't there. I'm just gutted for them as they are such nice people and he is such a good horse."
Kingscliff's big-race jockey Andrew Thornton said: "It's one of those things. The race is going to be poorer for it."
Best Mate is now set for a long summer break and Miss Knight is hoping he can bounce back in style next season.
"Whenever they break a blood vessel it is serious, but it is not career-threatening and hopefully he will come back as good as new next season," she said.
