Terry Biddlecombe, three-times champion jumps jockey and husband of former trainer Henrietta Knight, has died aged 72.
Biddlecombe won more than 900 races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Woodland Venture in 1967. He was champion jockey in 1964-65, 1965-66 and 1968-69 and rode a total of nine winners at the Cheltenham Festival.
He married trainer Henrietta Knight in 1995.
The “odd couple”, as they were affectionately known, enjoyed success with the likes of Edredon Bleu, Lord Noelie and Impek, but will forever be remembered for their association with the legendary Best Mate, who claimed the Gold Cup between 2002-04.
Knight announced her retirement in May 2012 to spend more time with Biddlecombe who had suffered a stroke late the previous year.
“Terry was a wonderful friend to me,” Knight said.
“I adored him and we had been together for 20 years. He was special. He taught me a tremendous amount about horses and racing and life.
“We have had so many people ringing up and sending messages; he must have had so many memories. Terry did an awful lot for racing, he has set the sport alight over the years. It will seem very strange without him.”
Tony McCoy, who rode Best Mate to win the 2002 King George VI Chase, said Biddlecombe had recently attended the party to celebrate McCoy’s 4000th winner.
“He was a great man and had a great life,” he told At The Races. “If he was still here he’d have told you that himself.
“He came to my party for my 4000th winner and Henrietta said that was the last time he was out.”
