'They were incredible years' - Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh pay tribute to owner Clive Smith

Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh have reflected on happy times with Clive Smith following the death of the owner whose colours were made famous by jumping superstars Kauto Star and Master Minded.

Nicholls and Walsh enjoyed enormous success with Smith, whose death at the age of 82 sparked memories of a golden era during which Kauto Star won and then regained the Cheltenham Gold Cup and amassed 16 Grade 1 victories, a record five of them of coming in the King George VI Chase. Master Minded was also a multiple top-flight winner whose haul include back-to-back triumphs in the Champion Chase.

Although the relationship between Nicholls and Smith ultimately fractured, the 14-time champion trainer on Saturday paid tribute to someone closely linked to many of his most important wins.

"Clive invested heavily in racing and enjoyed a lot of success," said Nicholls. "He was fond of his horses and they were part of his life. We had some wonderful times and enjoyed some fantastic wins with Kauto Star and Master Minded, plus Royal Auclair was second in the National. They were incredible years and amazing fun.

"It's obviously terribly sad when someone dies, and it's a shame things ended between us as they did, but I think you have to forget the bad times and look back to some wonderful years."

Ruby Walsh, flanked by owner Clive Smith (left), celebrates Kauto Star's 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Walsh, who rode most of Smith's major winners in his role as principal jockey to Nicholls, said: "I had great times riding for Clive Smith. We had Kauto Star, Master Minded and some lesser horses like Free World and Le Seychellois. I always got on great with him and he was always very good to me.

"He was passionate about racing and very straightforward. He wasn't a punter. It was all about winning and the enjoyment he got from the sport.

"I had some great days riding for Clive. There were two Gold Cups, a Champion Chase, five King Georges and plenty other big wins. I always considered his colours lucky. He put his money down and got some great horses. I'm glad he bought them."

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