Aintree specialist Vieux Lion Rouge, who ran in 5 Grand Nationals, has died aged 17 owing to colic following a cheerful and lively retirement.
The gelding, educated by David Pipe at Pond Home for his whole profession, is remembered as a “horse of a lifetime” by Caroline Tisdall, who owned him with John Gent. He retired from racing in January 2022, simply after his thirteenth birthday, and spent his post-racing days following hounds and exploring the moors.
Mr Pipe paid tribute to Vieux Lion Rouge, remembering him as a “cheeky character who beloved his carrots and he leaves us with some fond recollections that we’ll cherish for ever”.
“He spent his current retirement dwelling with Toby and Callie Coles on the sting of Dartmoor from the place he beloved his ventures on to the moor and likewise his journeys to numerous Devon sandy seashores and blackberry selecting,” stated Mr Pipe.
“Earlier to that he had been on Exmoor and out commonly with the hounds and he actually did love his lively retirement. He was additionally again for spells on the yard fairly commonly within the build-up to his days out at Aintree parading.
“When again right here he and Julie Bellamy [who cared for him at Pond House] teamed up like they did in his racing days and they might go on hacks on Culmstock Beacon.
“He beloved seeing his previous associates and appeared to benefit from the buzz of being again in what was his residence for nicely over a decade.”
Vieux Lion Rouge parading at Aintree in 2024.
Vieux Lion Rouge ran in 5 Grand Nationals and 6 Becher Chases over the well-known fences. He gained 13 of his 41 profession begins, together with two Becher Chases and a Grand Nationwide Trial at Haydock. His finest end in Aintree’s showpiece was sixth in 2017.
“His favorite pastime has at all times been going to Aintree racecourse, each throughout his racing profession after which in more moderen instances he beloved his twice yearly outing to Liverpool,” stated Mr Pipe, including that you possibly can “see the twinkle in his eye when he stepped out of the lorry at Aintree”.
Professor Tidsall added: “He has been wonderful for us, the horse of a lifetime. He has given us so many memorable moments and the truth that he was in a position to stay sound and pleased for 10 years of racing is testomony not simply to his toughness, however to the care and a focus given to him by the coach and the entire crew at Pond Home”.
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Credit score: 1st Class Photographs
H&H senior information author
Lucy is an skilled information journalist, reporter and presenter. Since becoming a member of the Horse & Hound crew in 2015, Lucy has reported from main international sporting occasions together with the Tokyo Paralympic Video games and a number of European Championships, in addition to Badminton, Burghley and London, to call a couple of. She has coated present affairs and sports activities information throughout the complete spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, in addition to human and equine welfare, business information and court docket circumstances.
