HUNGARY'S most famous racehorse Overdose, who was dubbed the Budapest Bullet due to his terrific speed, has died at the age of ten from colic.

Bought for just 2,000gns at Tattersalls by owner Zoltan Mikoczy, the sprinting sensation Overdose put his nation on the racing map during the latter half of the noughties with trips to Longchamp, Baden-Baden, Haydock and Royal Ascot.

Overdose's career was one of class and controversy. Unbeatable in Hungary, his legend grew courtesy of online videos of his destructive wins from the front.

The 'Beast from the East' obtained near mythical status with his romps against lesser opposition, but in 2008 he added real substance to his claim to be Europe's best sprinter when coming home clear in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp.

But what should have been a first Group 1 success was snatched from him after Fleeting Spirit's stall failed to open, resulting in a void race. The fact Overdose's winning time was quicker than that clocked by Marchand D'Or when landing the re-run, which Overdose did not contest due to his earlier exertions, only heightened the feeling he had been hard done by. It was a wrong he was never able to right.

Overdose
Overdose: comes home clear in the void 2008 Abbaye at Longchamp

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
A British campaign was mooted for 2009, but a reported foot problem first delayed, and then caused the plan to be scrapped. His owner's arrest, along with his trainer Sandor Ribarszki moving country and a further setback all raised the very real fear his blistering speed would not be seen again.

But in July 2010, after 15 months off the track, he returned with victory in Bratislava for new trainer Jozef Roszival. Another victory in Hungary followed and Gary Hind, who rode him on those two starts, paid tribute to the speedster.

He said: "Riding Overdose was one of the highlights of my career. He provided me with two great days. The second, when I rode Overdose to victory at Kincsem Park in Budapest [he won by ten lengths] in August 2010, was the highlight of the second part of my career, when I was riding away from the UK.

"The tribune was packed and leading Hungarian politicians were there. It was obviously a big deal not just to the racegoers, but for the whole country and he won so impressively. I was caught up in the euphoria of it - they played the national anthem at the presentation and I was a bit overwhelmed by it all, but afterwards in a quieter moment I reflected on the day and was so happy about what had happened.

"I suppose I played the same part in Overdose's career as I did when I rode for John Gosden- where I helped bring the two-year-olds on, here I was helping Overdose get his career back on track after serious injury. It's very sad to hear the news of his death."

After those two races under Hind he was stepped into Group 2 company at Baden-Baden with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle and tasted defeat for the first time in the Goldene Peitsche.

His 2011 campaign started with victory in Hoppegarten, and ended with a Group 3 success at the Capannelle, with the Budapest Bullet finally making it to Britain in between where he was defeated in the Temple Stakes and King's Stand Stakes.

He was due to start his 2012 campaign on Dubai World Cup night but another injury ended his career.

His legacy could continue as he sired his first foal arrived at Haras de l'Aumonerie in Normandy earlier this year. 

Racing Post