Richard Johnson has paid tribute to Reve De Sivola after the popular stayer collapsed and died at Kelso on Saturday.
The Nick Williams-trained 12-year-old won the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot three times for his owners, the Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership, with Johnson doing the steering on two occasions.
He also won the Challow Hurdle at Newbury as a novice, as well as the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown and even a Grade One in France, with career win and place prize-money of over £600,000.
Having helped make the pace in the Edinburgh Gin Handicap Hurdle, he had faded in the straight before being pulled up before the final flight after which he collapsed.
"I was really sad to hear about Reve De Sivola passing away at Kelso on Saturday. He's been a massive part of Nick and Jane Williams' lives for a long time and you have to feel for everyone involved with the horse," Johnson told his Betway blog.
"The main thing is to remember him for all those great wins and his toughness. There aren't many horses that can stay at the top level for such a long time.
"He was a fantastic horse with a great attitude. You have to be very good to win three Long Walk Hurdles.
"I've been lucky enough to ride some very good staying hurdlers over the years. They need to have class, but it's their attitude that makes them win those races.
"He was in a similar mould to Mighty Man and Anzum. They all had the right attitude and Reve De Sivola was definitely one of the best staying hurdlers I've ever ridden."
