Jim Leigh went out with a winner today as he struck with the final runner of his 30-year training career.
Rouge provided a perfect finale for the 65-year-old in the Mackerel Claiming Stakes at Lingfield.
The 5-2 favourite hit the front rounding the home turn under apprentice Stan Finnamore and held off Apollo Red by two lengths.
Just 10 minutes previously Leigh's penultimate runner Cattly Hang had failed to complete the course in a handicap chase at Southwell.
It is more than 30 years since the Irishman, who set off at 5.30am from his Lincolnshire yard to see Rouge in action, arrived in Britain to train initially for Paddy Sleator.
Prolific jumper Eagles Nest and Queen Mary Stakes winner On Tiptoes were among the pick of the 350-odd winners he trained.
