Nicholls announces retirement of dual Scottish Grand National hero Vicente

Dual Scottish Grand National winner Vicente has been retired, trainer Paul Nicholls revealed on Friday.

The ten-year-old, who won seven of his 31 races and £332,471 in prize-money, is set to enjoy retirement taking part in showjumping and eventing competitions with his groom Julie Fowler.

On the eve of Scotland's biggest jumps race, which Vicente won in 2016 and 2017, Nicholls said: "He's been retired and owner Trevor Hemmings has given him to Julie, who has looked after him for the past five years.

"He'll go showjumping and eventing, all the usual activities, and he'll have a lovely home for life."

Julie Fowler: will look after Vicente after his retirementCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Vicente's most memorable moments on the racecourse came at Ayr, where in the 2016 Scottish National he defeated Alvarado by two and three-quarter lengths, a victory he backed up 12 months later when denying Cogry by a neck.

He also went on to finish fifth in the race last year, while he defeated subsequent dual Cheltenham Festival hero Un Temps Pour Tout in a Class 2 novice chase at Prestbury Park in November 2015.

What turned out to be Vicente's final appearance on a racecourse came when falling in the Eider Chase behind Crosspark in February.

Vicente in numbers

10 age
7 wins
31 runs
2 Scottish Grand National triumphs
£332,471 earnings
159 Highest Racing Post Rating

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