RACING: Cole's tribute to Generous (From Bicester Advertiser)

RACING: Cole's tribute to Generous

10:00am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Sport

Paul Cole led the tributes to his Epsom Derby winner Generous, who has died at the age of 25.

The chestnut colt with the flaxen mane provided Cole’s Whatcombe stables, near Wantage, with an unforgettable summer in 1991.

With Alan Munro in the saddle, Generous won the Ever Ready Derby at Epsom by five lengths at 9-1, before taking the Irish Derby by three lengths and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes by seven lengths.

Cole said he felt privileged to have been associated with Generous.

“It’s the end of an era and a sad day for everyone in the Generous clan,” he said.

“He was Generous by name, and generous by nature.

“He was a horse who always gave his all and, if anything, tried a bit too hard.

“He was a very good stayer with sprinter’s speed and from a very fast family.

“Trainers hope they can get hold of a very special horse and I’m very lucky to have had Generous.”

Owned by Prince Fahad Salman, the son of Caerleon was unable to go out in a blaze of glory when he finished unplaced behind Suave Dancer in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

But he retired to stud as a champion three-year-old with a record of six wins from 11 starts, that yielded £1,119,943 in prize-money, and helped make Cole champion trainer in 1991.

Generous was also a top juvenile, springing a 50-1 surprise in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in October 1990 under Richard Quinn before finishing fourth in the 2000 Guineas on his seasonal return.

Munro said: “I’m very saddened by the news. He was a very good horse.”

He stood at Alfred Buller’s Scarvagh House Stud in Northern Ireland in his later life, producing German Group 1 winner Catella, but his career as a stallion failed to match his raceourse exploits.

Buller said: “He was unbelievably intelligent for a horse, kind and truly regal.

“He will be sadly missed and, to all involved with him, it has been a privilege to have cared for him and looked after him during his last period of life.

"He was a special horse.”