Vanguard (steeplechaser)

Vanguard (foaled 1835) was a steeplechase racehorse. At age eight, he defeated one hundred and fifteen rivals to win the Grand National at his first attempt. Provided jockey, Tom Olliver with his second consecutive victory and became such a favourite of his rider that when he died, Olliver ordered that Vanguard's hide be used to make a sofa, which is today in the ownership of Aintree, his skull was to be mounted upon Olliver's personal carriage and the rest of the remains donated to feed the destitute of Liverpool and sold for Animal glue production.