Dundee’s iconic Champion the Wonder Horse has finally found a permanent home — at a new city music venue.
The toy horse, which had been on display at Dundee Museum of Transport, has been installed at Fat Sam’s Live on South Ward Road.
The venue’s owner Tony Cochrane bought the aluminium horse so it can be put on public display for visitors.
It was one of the most popular rides in the City Arcade at the old Shore Terrace and remained there for 30 years before it closed in 1981.
Bill Adam, who had been raised in the Carolina House orphanage and grew up with “no other toys but Champion”, bought the horse following the arcade’s demise.
The horse had been up for sale on eBay since October and it appeared nobody could afford the £8,250 asking price.
Mr Cochrane, who did not specify how much he had paid for it, said he hated the idea of the toy disappearing from the eyes and minds of locals.
He said: “It was such a local iconic piece, we thought it would be a shame if it was forgotten about.
“As kids growing up in Dundee, we have all been on it. I just thought it needs to be kept and cherished.
“I hope people will be happy to hear it has a permanent home.”
Mr Cochrane said the horse is fully functional but warned it won’t be there for visitors to jump on and have a shot.
“It will be kept in a protective case because, of course, the temptation may be there when people have had a drink,” he said.
“People will be able to have their photo with it though.
“We have quite a few artists, including Lewis Capaldi, coming to the venue in the next few months so it would be great to get them posing with the horse.
“We have plans to use the horse to raise money for charity every so often though and people will be able to have a shot then. We’ll charge a fee and that money will go to a good cause.”
The horse was refurbished three years ago with its original music track also recently installed.
