Fond farewell: Popular Hemmings greys Vintage Clouds and Lake View Lad to retire

Two of the late Trevor Hemmings' most distinguished flagbearers have run their last races, with Vintage Clouds joining Lake View Lad in retirement after being pulled up in Saturday's Scottish Grand National.

A grey who clocked up a catalogue of appearances in many of Britain's top staying handicaps, Vintage Clouds garnered quite the public following, and holds the distinction of having run in six consecutive editions of the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, triumphing on his fifth try at the age of 11.

"He's been a great servant to us and we've had him since he was a very young horse," said Sue Smith. "He's been a good staying chaser, hasn’t he? We're sad to lose him but I'm delighted he'll finish in one piece.

Vintage Clouds with (left to right) Harvey Smith, jockey Ryan Mania, Sue Smith and assistant trainer Joel ParkinsonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"To run all those times at Cheltenham and eventually to win it was a great day, and perhaps even more of a special day as it was Trevor’s last festival winner before he passed away. He's been one of those sorts of horses, he's always run good races. He's maybe not top class but he's been a very good servant to us all."

Smith added: "He's out in the field this morning and he's happy away. It is a sad day but it's not sad when they go into retirement very healthy and happy and sound."

Relive Vintage Clouds victory in the 2021 Ultima

As well as his 2021 festival triumph, Vintage Clouds finished second and third in the Ultima, as well winning the Peter Marsh at Haydock and making the frame in the Welsh and Scottish Nationals.

Mick Meagher, who manages the owner's racing interests, confirmed Vintage Clouds will retire to Hemmings' stud at Gleadhill to be a lead horse, while Lake View Lad has been gifted to his former groom Mhairi Ogilvie.

Lake View Lad with Mhairi OgilvieCredit: Mhairi Ogilvie

Lake View Lad gave trainer Nick Alexander some memorable days and was last seen when eighth in the Eider Chase in February.

He won the Rehearsal Chase and Rowland Meyrick in 2018, and his finest hour came when defeating Santini, Native River and Frodon in the 2020 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree.

Watch Lake View Lad fend off Santini in the Many Clouds Chase

"It's obviously mixed emotions but I'm delighted with where he's going, he’ll be with Mhairi, who looked after him most of the time he was here," said Alexander. "She will look after him incredibly well and is so delighted she’s got him; it makes me very happy.

"He arrived here in 2015 and for six and a half years has flown the flag for the stable. When you’re a small yard you need to find 150-plus rated horses to do that and he’s been absolutely fantastic."

Alexander picked out two cherished memories with the 12-year-old son of Oscar.

He said: "Winning the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree was very special. He beat the Gold Cup horses that day and, for Trevor, it was obviously run in the memory of his horse.

"I'd had a winner earlier on the card with a homebred, Clan Legend. It was weird because it was in the middle of lockdown and was a very emotional sort of day really."

Nick Alexander pictured with former stable star Lake View LadCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Alexander also singled out his third-placed effort at Cheltenham, which was used as a warm-up for a tilt at the Grand National.

"When he was third in the Ultima and Trevor was there with the Princess Royal, he was over the moon," said Alexander. "I had dislocated and fractured my shoulder skiing and I was in the most bizarre shoulder brace, which meant I couldn't wear a tie, I couldn’t wear a proper coat and I couldn’t shave properly.

"So far it's been my only trip to the winner's enclosure at the Cheltenham Festival and I looked like I'd just arrived from the moon. That was a very special day."

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