Tompkins pays tribute to 'proper horse' after Smokey Oakey is put down aged 14

Smokey Oakey was praised as "a proper horse" on Thursday by former trainer Mark Tompkins after his former stable star died aged 14.

Owned by Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench and her driver Bryan Agar, Smokey Oakey won seven times during his career including the Lincoln and Brigadier Gerard Stakes in the spring of 2008.

Since retiring at the end of 2013, Smokey Oakey had been living at the East Park Riding for the Disabled Group facility near Lingfield and close to Dame Judi's own home in Outwood.

Smokey Oakey career statistics

Tompkins said: "It's a very sad day as I have to let everybody know that Smokey Oakey has very sadly had to be put down after an accident in his stable.

"He had been retired to a fantastic place where he was doing so much good for Riding for the Disabled and was loved by everybody."

Writing on his website, the Classic-winning trainer added: "He was a brilliant horse. He won as a two-year-old and then went on to win some very prestigious races – he also got his head in front over hurdles. He was one of those horses that everybody loved and he will be very sadly missed. He was just a proper horse."

Smokey Oakey retired as the winner of seven of his 55 races and collecting £166,335 in win and place prize-money during an eight-year career.

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