The tragic loss of George Washington, who was euthanized after breaking his leg during the Breeders' Cup in Kentucky on Saturday, has robbed the racing world of one of its most charismatic and well-loved horses.

Trained by the maverick Aidan O'Brien and ridden to victory by both Kieren Fallon and Mick Kinane, the horse proved to be immensely popular with racegoers and pundits alike and his death in appalling conditions at Monmouth Park has sent shockwaves through the racing community.

George Washington first came to prominence as a two-year old, winning the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh in June 2005, before establishing his formidable reputation by cantering to victory in the Phoenix Stakes at the same course two months later. For his performances, George Washington was voted the 2005 Cartier Award for Two-Year-Old European Champion Colt.

With a huge weight of expectation, he then demonstrated true class by edging Sir Percy, the subsequent Derby winner, to land the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May 2006. He then made a more circumspect 'comeback' in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood finishing third, before returning to his best to triumph in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot the following month.

However, with O'Brien unwilling to risk his prize asset again on home soil, the horse travelled to Kentucky to compete in the Breeders Cup. But despite high hopes he could only finish a disappointing sixth after being bumped by eventual winner Invasor.

Soon after it was announced that George Washington would be retired to stud, where he was expected to produce another generation of winners.

But in March 2007 it was revealed that there had been 'fertility problems' and that the horse would be making a return to training.

His second stint proved to be less successful. After finishing fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot, he was edged out into third by Notnowcato and Authorized in the Eclipse stakes at Sandown Park in August and could only manage third at Longchamp a month later.

Yet he was greeted like a conquering hero when returning to Kentucky for the second time before an ankle break in desperate weather conditions brought his glittering if slightly unfulfilled career to an untimely close.