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The death of Jim Lewis, a leading owner in the racing industry, has been met with grief and sorrow from those who knew him well.

At the age of 88, Lewis had achieved tremendous success in the sport and was best known for being the owner of Best Mate, the only horse since Arkle to win three consecutive Gold Cups.

Henrietta Knight, trainer of both Best Mate and Edredon Bleu, spoke of her sadness following the news of Lewis' death, describing him as a "very straightforward owner to deal with" and thanking him for the "fantastic days" they had enjoyed together. Knight also revealed that Lewis was very superstitious and always wore the same scarf at the races.

Former Cheltenham boss Edward Gillespie also paid tribute to Lewis, recalling his strong relationship with the owner and speaking fondly of Lewis' enthusiasm and passion for racing. Gillespie said, "He wore his heart on his sleeve. He was a brilliant ambassador and one of those rare owners who took the sport beyond the sport." He continued, "The Best Mate story played a massive part in the popularity of the Cheltenham Festival. Everybody was looking for the next Arkle and then Best Mate came along."

Lewis' success with Best Mate and Edredon Bleu made him a beloved figure in the racing industry. He leaves behind his wife Jennifer, three children, and four grandchildren.