The Grand National is one of the world's toughest horse races

County Durham racehorse trainer Denys Smith was an overnight hero when Red Alligator romped home to win the 1968 Grand National.

But the memory has turned sour for the 78-year-old, after raiders broke in to his Bishop Auckland home and stole the treasured Grand National trophy.

Mr Smith was attending a party on 22 March in Sedgefield to celebrate his retirement from the sport, when the raiders struck.

A distraught Mr Smith said: "We got home in the early hours and the house was upside down. They had really made a mess.

Racing heritage

"They stole cash and my wife's jewellery, but they took my Grand National trophy, which is what means the most."

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "We are following all the usual lines of inquiries, but we would like to hear from anyone who may know the whereabouts of the trophy or give us any information that may lead to its recovery.

"It is very sad. This is a piece of racing heritage that may never be recovered."

Red Alligator became a legend in his home town of Bishop Auckland and a pub was named after him.

About 2,000 people lined the streets of the town to welcome home the horse and jockey Brian Fletcher.