'Horse of a lifetime' - National fences record-holder Vieux Lion Rouge retired

The owner of Vieux Lion Rouge, a regular over Aintree's Grand National course who jumped the sport's most famous fences more than any other horse, has saluted the veteran following his retirement.

A French-bred gelding, the 13-year-old raced in the familiar silks of Caroline Tisdall, who owned him with John Gent.

Vieux Lion Rouge won his first three races in bumpers before developing into a useful novice hurdler and then chaser, but he soon became synonymous with the Grand National fences after running over them 11 times, which included five appearances in the April showpiece.

Vieux Lion Rouge's exceptional record

His best effort in the Grand National was sixth behind One For Arthur in 2017 but he was a two-time winner of the Becher Chase, in 2016 and 2020.

Remarkably, he jumped 242 National fences in a row before that run came to an end when he fell at the 20th in last season's Grand National.

He unseated Tom Scudamore after the 12th fence in this term's Becher, meaning he negotiated the notorious obstacles a record 254 times.

Vieux Lion Rouge's career came to an end on Monday, four days after he was pulled up in Haydock's 3m4½f handicap chase won by Blaklion.

Tisdall, whose star was trained by David Pipe and chiefly ridden by Scudamore, said: "He's been the horse of a lifetime, a remarkable horse who has has taken me everywhere and particularly on that Aintree dream.

"He ran in five Grand Nationals and won two Bechers and he did everything apart from winning the National. He was often in the money but seemed to get caught in the closing stages. It depends how you define staying whether he truly stayed, but he stayed better than most.

"To have a horse run for you for ten years and stay sound and jump 250-odd Aintree fences is incredible."

Caroline Tisdall and Tom Scudamore after Vieux Lion Rouge's first Becher winCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Successful in 13 of his 41 starts, Vieux Lion Rouge was also a Grade 3 winner of Haydock's Grand National Trial in 2017.

"David, [his parents] Martin and Carol and I all went out to France with their agent friend Hubert Barbe," added Tisdall, recalling how she purchased the chestnut.

"We were at an Arqana sale in Deauville and he was the first horse I bought myself. He was an unraced three-year-old who had an allergy to the hay, so came out spotty in the yard and it might have put people off, but he was also sold at lunchtime, so maybe the French were a bit distracted!

"He was a very clever horse and had a particular way of jumping. He'd put his front legs very close together and took aim from a long way out. He always looked a bit prissy when he was jumping because he was so careful but he was a jockey's horse.

Members can watch Vieux Lion Rouge win hsi second Becher Chase here

"When I bought him, I said I'd keep 50 per cent and offer three friends a share of the other 50 per cent and only one accepted. That was John Gent and the other two said, 'Thanks, but no thanks' – what a mistake!"

Tisdall, an art critic and writer, heaped praise on Pipe and his team for their handling of not only Vieux Lion Rouge but the equally admirable Dell' Arca, who is also 13.

Vieux Lion Rouge at Pond House with groom Julie BellamyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

She said: "The initial plan is that Vieux will stay exactly where he is and he loves his box. He's been there for ten years and he loves his groom Julie Bellamy, so they'll carry on together and he'll exercise a bit, leading out younger horses.

"He's full of life and beans and we'll see what turns up. We'll be very particular about where he goes and he certainly won't go pointing or eventing. The right person will come along but we're in no hurry.

"Him and Dell' Arca are a great tribute to David and the whole team at Pond House. It's not a coincidence I have two 13-year-olds – it's a real achievement and good advertisement for National Hunt racing. It's the sort of profile the sport needs and we should make sure it's noted.

"We always said Vieux Lion Rouge was such an expressive horse who'd tell us when he'd had enough and he did at Haydock."

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