The much-missed racing superstar Many Clouds was crowned the Racing Post Jumps Horse of the Year at Sandown on Saturday.

Isle of Man based owner Trevor Hemmings’ chaser sadly lost his life at Cheltenham in January, moments after defeating Thistlecrack in an epic Cotswold Chase under Leighton Aspell, who partnered him on every one of his 27 starts.

The 2015 Grand National winner had built up a huge following, both in the Isle of Man and in the British Isles through his winning exploits and tough running style.

His popularity was evidenced with a landslide win in the competition, as he captured 65 per cent of the vote.

From the 3,689 votes cast, 2,416 were for Many Clouds, and speaking on Saturday trainer Oliver Sherwood said: ’It’s a huge compliment and I can’t thank all the voters enough.

’He captured the public’s imagination, everybody loved him. He was a huge loss to everyone. I hope I find another one half as good as him.

’It’s a huge accolade for the horse, the owner, the jockey and all of us at Rhonehurst.’

Mr Sherwood added: ’I can’t thank all the public enough. It means a lot. Trevor [Hemmings] could not be here as he had another engagement but he asked me to thank everybody.’

Mr Hemmings told Isle of Man Newspapers earlier this year that Many Clouds had been ’a very special horse’.

He added at the time:’We called him the Manx horse. He was like a member of the family and my staff are all devastated.’