Andy Stewart, owner of legendary hurdler Big Buck's, dies at the age of 70

Andy Stewart, one of jump racing's leading owners and whose famous red, white and black silks will be forever associated with the four-time Stayers' Hurdle hero Big Buck's, has died at the age of 70.

Stewart, who was a stockbroker and international businessman, also owned Grade 1 stars including Celestial Halo, Cenkos and Saphir Du Rheu as well as smart performers such as Poquelin and two-time Foxhunter Chase winner Pacha Du Polder. Most of his horses were trained by long-time ally Paul Nicholls.

Stewart died peacefully in hospital in Guernsey on Friday following complications from a fall at his Barbados holiday home this year.

"Racing was his major love and it kept him going," said his son Paul. "He treasured the community and people he met in it and the joy it brought to him.

"He loved the game and the people, it was like an extended family. He always wanted to be first in the business world, but in racing he was just as happy to come second to great friends.

"He was so caring, so much so it was always a case of how – not if – he could help anyone. Hopefully my dad can look down and see his colours racing at Cheltenham again, and raise a glass of champagne from up there for all of those people. He'd want us to be celebrating and not mourning – that's the type of person he was."

The highly successful partnership between Stewart and Nicholls began when the owner transferred Cenkos – after whom he named another successful business of his in 2004 – to the 12-time champion trainer's care in 2001 as the pair started to establish themselves as a leading team in jump racing.

Andy Stewart (left) after Big Buck's landed his fourth World Hurdle at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

However, it was Big Buck's who gave Stewart his greatest triumphs when he proved an irresistible force in the Stayers' Hurdle between 2009 and 2012. The gelding also became a world record breaker after racking up 18 consecutive victories over hurdles following his unseat in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup.

Big Buck's also won four Liverpool and Long Distance Hurdles as well as three Long Walk Hurdles during his illustrious career and Stewart's star is widely recognised as the greatest staying hurdler in history.

Nicholls said: "I spoke to him nearly every day for the best part of 20 years and he was a brilliant friend and supporter. He had a heart of gold and for all the money he put into racing, he deserved a superstar like Big Buck's.

"I had lunch with Andy in Brighton at the end of June and was planning to see him in Barbados. Typical Andy, he had organised a lunch party in Barbados to celebrate our 12th trainers' title. Sadly it never happened but that showed the measure of him.

"I've been blessed to have trained for him. His loyalty was second to none and it'll be awfully sad without Andy. My life won't be the same without him."

Both Paul Stewart and Nicholls highlighted Big Buck's historic fourth Stayers' Hurdle as the day Stewart considered his best as an owner, but he also got great enjoyment out of smaller races at lesser tracks, and his passion for the sport passed on throughout the family.

"He had this great love for Cheltenham and Big Buck's always brought a twinkle to his eye – the 2012 win will always be the best," Paul Stewart said. "Seeing all the racing community just as happy for the horse too was something Dad really loved, he really enjoyed having a people's horse as he was a people's guy.

"He always loved the horses. As a kid I could never understand why he would be in front of the TV every Saturday afternoon, so when I turned the cartoons on instead there were a few stern words! Racing was infectious for him, so much so we fell in love with it ourselves.

"It's amazing to think it all started with Cenkos. He and Paul were like brothers, he had an undeniable admiration for him as one of the greatest."

Nicholls said: "We had many memories, but Big Buck's fourth win in the Stayers' was an amazing day. There was a lot of pressure on everybody but it was just one of plenty of brilliant days.

"He was enthusiastic about the game and that's what the sport needs. You could have a Plumpton novice chase winner in November and he'd ring you and say, 'That'll win the Arkle!' He deserved all the success he got."

Stewart also enjoyed big-race successes for Nicholls as a joint-owner with David Johnson, Judi Dench and Jeremy Kyle with the likes of festival winner Salubrious, As De Mee and more recently the Grade 1 winner Black Corton.

Andy Stewart at the scene of some of his greatest moments as an owner, on the members' lawn at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

He was also a big supporter of raising awareness for spinal injury charities through the sport after his son Paul had a snowboarding accident in 2008. The December Gold Cup at Cheltenham was renamed through his sponsorship between 2011 and 2013, as was the Listed handicap hurdle in support of the Spinal Injuries Association on Paddy Power Gold Cup day in 2019.

Stewart is survived by his wife Judy and two sons, Mark and Paul.

Andy Stewart CV

Full name Andrew Marshall Stewart

Born Romford, Essex, August 15, 1951

Family Parents: both doctors. Wife: Judy Stewart. Sons: Mark and Paul Stewart

Occupation Stockbroker, banker; founder of Cenkos Securities 2004

World (Stayers') Hurdle winner Big Buck's (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Triumph Hurdle winner Celestial Halo (2008)

Other Cheltenham Festival winners Salubrious (2013 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle, in partnership with the Johnson family), Pacha Du Polder (2017 & 2018 Foxhunter Chase)

Big Buck's record winning streak 18 consecutive wins 2009-12 (world record over hurdles) including World Hurdle 4 times, Liverpool Hurdle 4 times, Newbury Long Distance Hurdle 4 times, Long Walk Hurdle 3 times, Cleeve Hurdle twice; earlier won 2008 Mildmay Novices' Chase

Tingle Creek Chase winner Cenkos (2002)

Other big-race wins for Cenkos 2000 Maghull Novices' Chase, 2002 & 2004 Celebration Chase; also 3rd in 2002 & 2003 Queen Mother Champion Chase

Other big-race wins for Celestial Halo 2009 Contenders Hurdle, Elite Hurdle, 2011 National Spirit Hurdle, Elite Hurdle, 2012 Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial, 2013 Prix La Barka, Newbury Long Distance Hurdle; also 2nd in 2009 Champion Hurdle & 2013 World Hurdle

Other notable winners Le Duc (2003 Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle), Le Roi Miguel (2003 Maghull Novices' Chase, Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase, 2004 Peterborough Chase), Phar Bleu (2004 Finale Juvenile Hurdle), Napolitain (2006 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase), Nycteos (2007 Silver Trophy Chase), Gwanako (2008 Topham Chase), Oslot (2008 Galway Plate), Poquelin (2009 & 2010 December Gold Cup, 2011 Silver Trophy Chase), Tataniano (2010 Maghull Novices' Chase), Saphir Du Rheu (2014 Welsh Champion Hurdle, 2015 Cleeve Hurdle, Mildmay Novices' Chase)

Other notable winners in partnership Pacha Du Polder (2013 Greatwood Gold Cup), Rocky Creek (2015 BetBright Chase), Old Guard (2015 Greatwood Hurdle, International Hurdle, 2018 National Spirit Hurdle), As De Mee (2016 Grand Sefton Chase), Black Corton (2017 Kauto Star Novices' Chase)

Placed horse in Grand National My Will (3rd in 2009)

Highest-rated horse Big Buck's (RPR 178 in 2011 Liverpool Hurdle)

Cheltenham Festival wins 8

Runner-up in owners' championship 2009-10

Peak wealth £120 million (Sunday Times Rich List 2007 & 2008)

Horses ran in the names of The Stewart Family and Judy Stewart

Compiled by John Randall

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