From the point-to-point field to Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick

BEST MATE’S story started on January 28, 1995 near Trim in County Meath, when the mare Katday produced a bay-coloured foal.

Having been sold at the sales at Fairyhouse for Ir2,500 guineas to famed horse dealer Tom Costello, he made his public bow as a four-year-old in a point-to-point at Lismore in February 1999.

The youngster was pulled up that day but he had been spotted by Henrietta Knight and Terry Biddlecombe, who returned the following month to see him win in County Galway and decided they wanted him.