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A horse which broke loose from the track and ran at terrified spectators has died at the age of 32. Formidable Flame made the front page of the Racing Post following the 1997 incident when he spooked at the starting stalls and broke free.

With a slipping saddle not helping, the chestnut gelding desperately tried to buck it off and he hurtled through the running rail.

In the panic, Formidable Flame ran into a pram containing a seven-week-old baby, who was carried away unharmed by his shocked mother.

Other racegoers tried to leave the area as the thoroughbred continued to kick out and then ran amongst a large crowd of people.

In footage of the wild scenes, which has been viewed 11 million times on one You Tube account, the commentator can be heard to say: "Stay as still as you can and don't run. Please keep calm and stay as still as you can."

One racegoer waved his arms to try and slow Formidable Flame down, while another was able to grab hold of the reins which brought the frightening incident to a halt.

At the time the thoroughbred was trained by Willie Musson and he went on to compete over obstacles for two other handlers before he retired with Steph Cholmondeley after his final race at Newton Abbot in August 2002.

"It was crazy when he ran loose at Southwell," said the 54-year-old, whose ex-husband Graham Pennington owned a share in Formidable Flame.

"He must have been so scared when the saddle slipped and it caused him to freak out. It comes up on TV programmes every now and again and I find it quite difficult to watch.

"I've looked at it sometimes and found it hard to believe it was him. There wasn't a bad bone in his body."

Steph, who runs the Plough Inn and B&B on the outskirts of Hereford, said Formidable Flame was a safe ride in traffic and he took part in a number of fun rides, including one from Ludlow Racecourse.

"I had him on some of his holidays from racing which is why he retired with me," she said.

"His personality was amazing. When I rode him he never bucked or ran away with me once. He lived with his horse friends Fella and Diddy and we gave him the nickname Frankie."

Following his antics on the track, Formidable Flame gained quite a following and his many fans left tributes on a social media page for retired racehorses following his death earlier this month.

"My wonder horse Frankie racing name Formidable Flame sadly passed away yesterday at the grand old age of 32," Steph wrote.

"Best known for his escapades at southwell racecourse when he escaped from the stalls into the crowd. Much loved by me in his retirement home for the past 26 years. We will all miss my wonderful boy. Reunited with the love of his life Diddy. Rest in peace Frank xx."