Final farewell to five-time Grand National runner who had a ‘twinkle in his eye’

Vieux Lion Rouge, pictured at Aintree in 2020.

Aintree specialist Vieux Lion Rouge, who ran in five Grand Nationals, has died aged 17 owing to colic following a happy and active retirement.

The gelding, trained by David Pipe at Pond House for his entire career, is remembered as a “horse of a lifetime” by Caroline Tisdall, who owned him with John Gent. He retired from racing in January 2022, just after his 13th birthday, and spent his post-racing days following hounds and exploring the moors.