Paul Barber, the prolific racehorse owner and long-time supporter of the sport died on 18 June, aged 80.

Mr Barber came from a dairy farming family, based at Manor Farm, in Ditcheat, Somerset.

He had a passion for racing from a young age. In October 1991 trainer Paul Nicholls became based at Mr Barber’s yard, and this business arrangement soon became a great friendship. Mr Barber bought See More Indians for Paul, who Paul described as his first “really good horse”, and who became his first Grade One winner.

Mr Barber was known for his early dream of wanting to “milk 1,000 cows and own a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner”. He achieved this with the 1999 Gold Cup victor See More Business, co-owned with John Keighley, who also won the King George VI Chase in 1997 and 1999. Mr Barber went on to have 3,000 cows on his farm.

Mr Barber’s second Gold Cup win came from the great Denman, who beat Kauto Star to victory in 2008. Denman, co-owned with Maggie Findlay, held a record of 14 wins and six seconds from his 24 runs, before his retirement in 2011. Mr Barber was also the co-owner of Clan Des Obeaux, with Ged Mason and Alex Ferguson. Among Clan Des Obeaux’s victories were the King George VI Chase, in 2018 and 2019, and the 2021 Punchestown Gold Cup.

Paul said that from the start Mr Barber took him “under his wing” and “in some ways treated me like a son”.

“I certainly saw him as something of a father figure. He taught me so much about running a business, especially in the early years,” said Paul.

“Every big day he shared with me, every big winner he shared with me as if it was his own. He deserved all the success he had because he was such a tremendous enthusiast and put so much into racing and life.”

Mr Barber is survived by his wife Marianne, and children Chris and Giles with his first wife Paula.

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While many, many brilliant thoroughbreds have made their mark on the racecourses around the world during their Flat or National Hunt careers, far fewer have stolen the hearts and minds of the public to become truly famous racehorses. So what is it that makes a successful horse into a one widely regarded as a “people’s horse”?

In the vast majority of cases, as well as winning important races, the most famous horses have a back story that racing fans – and the media — are interested in. Those horses who stick around for multiple seasons – an achievement that is easier for most National Hunt horses than those racing on the Flat — have the time for a wider fan base to develop.

With some famous racehorses, the story is almost as much about the people who are around them – Bob Champion with Aldaniti and Sir Henry Cecil with Frankel for example – as it is the horse itself. And not every horse becomes famous during their racing career. The fame of the late, great Galileo only grew after he retired and became the world’s most influential sire, while Shergar’s fame exploded when he went missing, never to be seen again.

As for deciding which horses deserve the title of “most famous racehorses ever”, that’s a tricky task to undertake but we’ve challenged ourselves to take it on, so here is our selection of some of the most famous racehorses of all time…

Horse & Hound’s most famous racehorses

Frankel

Foaled on 11 February 2008, Frankel is now retired from racing and is standing at stud. The British-based horse was unbeaten in his 14-race career and was the highest-rated racehorse in the world from May 2011. By Galileo, Frankel amassed £2,998,302 during his three-year Flat racing career. He was trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil and ridden in his races by Tom Queally. His race record is remarkable and includes wins in the 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes, International Stakes and Champion Stakes.

Red Rum

Red Rum jumped his way into the public’s heart with his three Aintree Grand National wins (1973, 1974 and 1977). Born on 7 May 1965, the prolific steeplechaser was renowned for his jumping ability, having not fallen in 100 races. He remains the only horse to have won the Grand National three times. The 1973 race in which Red Rum secured his comeback victory from 30 lengths behind is often considered one of the greatest Grand Nationals in history. Trained by Ginger McCain and owned by Noel le Mare, he also won the 1974 Scottish National and amassed over £146,000 in prize money throughout his career. He died on 18 October 1995 and remains one of the most famous racehorses to have ever entertained the public over fences.

Galileo

Galileo (30 March 1998 – 10 July 2021) enjoyed a successful Flat racing career (six wins from eight starts as a two- and three-year-old), but it was as a sire that he made his indelible mark on the racing industry as the most successful thoroughbred stallion of all time. After winning The Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001, he was named the 2001 European Champion Three-Year-Old Colt. After retirement, Galileo became one of the most sought after sires in the world. First crowned leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2008, he then consecutively earned the title from 2010 until 2020. In 2020, he set the record for the number of Derby winners sired at five: New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine. At the time of his death he had sired 91 Group One winners, while 20 of his sons – including Frankel and Australia – have also sired Group One victors.

Arkle

Named after a mountain in Sutherland, Scotland that bordered the Duchess of Westminster’s Sutherland estate, Arkle (19 April 1957 – 31 May 1970) won three Cheltenham Gold Cups before his career was brought to a premature end by an injury. Owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, he was trained by Tom Dreaper at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan in County Meath, Ireland, and ridden during his steeplechasing career by Pat Taaffe. At 212, his Timeform rating is the highest ever awarded to a steeplechaser.

Desert Orchid

Desert Orchid (11 April 1979 – 13 November 2006) has been described as “the most charismatic racehorse of the 20th century”. Adored by his public, at its height Dessie-mania was just as impassioned as Beatle-mania. Trained by David Elsworth, ‘Dessie’ won a remarkable four King George VI Chases, a Cheltenham Gold Cup, an Irish Grand National and a Tingle Creek, among many others. During his racing career he was partnered by five different jump jockeys: Colin Brown, Richard Linley, Simon Sherwood, Graham Bradley and Richard Dunwoody. Desert Orchid won 34 of his 70 starts, amassing £654,066 in prize money, but he never ran in the Grand National at Aintree as he was “too beloved” by the public.

Secretariat

Champion American Flat horse Secretariat (30 March 1970 – 4 October 1989) won the American Triple Crown, setting and still holding the fastest time record in all three races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. During his racing career, he won five Eclipse Awards, including Horse of the Year honours when he was two and three years old. Trained by Lucien Laurin, “Big Red” as he was also known, amassed over $1.316m in prize money. His win in the Belmont Stakes was record-breaking, storming home 31 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Kauto Star

Record-breaking Kauto Star (19 March 2000 – 29 June 2015) earnt his place in the record books – and any list of famous racehorses – with five wins in the King George VI Chase. The French-bred National Hunt champion racehorse, who was trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith, also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, in 2007 and 2009. He earned a total of £3,775,883 in prize money and bonuses. He was the top-rated steeplechaser during the 2006/7, 2008/9, 2009/10 and 2011/12 season, winning the Tingle Creek Chase in both 2005 and 2006 and the Betfair Chase four times in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011.

Winx

Winx (foaled 14 September 2011) won 33 consecutive races as a Flat horse, predominantly in Australia. These victories included 25 Group One races, amassing over £14m in prize money. Winx became the first horse in history to win the prestigious Cox Plate four times. She retired on 13 April 2019 at Randwick racecourse after winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for the third time. She is now a broodmare. Trained by Chris Waller, Winx was the world’s top-ranked filly or mare and the world’s top-ranked turf horse in 2016. She retained this ranking in 2017 and in 2018 was co-ranked as the best horse in the world.

American Pharoah

American Pharoah (foaled 2 February 2012) won the American Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2015. He won nine of his 11 starts and amassed $8,650,300 in prize money for his connections. This famous racehorse now stands at stud at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. He was bred and owned throughout his racing career by Ahmed Zayat, trained by Bob Baffert, and ridden in most of his races by Victor Espinoza. He was the American Champion Two-Year-Old in 2014 and the American Champion Three-Year-Old in 2015, and was also the American Horse of the Year in 2015.

Denman

Fondly known as “The Tank”, Denman (17 April 2000 – 5 June 2018) was a much-loved National Hunt horse, who was trained by Paul Nicholls during his illustrious career. He won 14 of his 24 races, including the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Hennessy Gold Cup in both 2007 and 2009. He was well-known for his rivalry with stable mate Kauto Star throughout his career. Owned by Paul Barber and Maggie Findlay, Denman had a front-running style and was tough and gutsy, which caught the imagination and hearts of racing fans during his career.

Enable

Enable (foaled 12 February 2014) is one of the great horses of modern day Flat racing. During her career, which ran from November 2016 to October 2020, she won 15 of her 19 races, including 11 Group One races. She amassed over £10m in prize money for her owner, the late Khalid Abdullah, who also owned Frankel. She was trained by John Gosden and ridden predominantly by Frankie Dettori, who regularly documented his love for this horse. She won the Cheshire Oaks, Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, three King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes’, the Yorkshire Oaks and two Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes. She also won the Breeders’ Cup Turf, becoming the first Arc winner to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf in the same year. She has retired to stud as a broodmare.

Best Mate

Best Mate (28 January 1995 – 1 November 2005) was a three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup between 2002 and 2004. He was much-loved by the public and trained by Henrietta Knight to win 14 of his 22 races, and finished second in seven more. He also won the King George VI Chase in 2002 and amassed over £1m in prize money. Best Mate never fell at a fence or hurdle. Of the seven races in which he finished second, five were Grade One races, and two were Grade Two races. Jim Culloty was Best Mate’s jockey for most of his biggest successes and he was owned by Jim Lewis. This famous racehorse suffered a suspected heart attack and died in front of his adoring fans while racing at Exeter.

Seabiscuit

The subject of books and films, Seabiscuit (23 May 1933 – 17 May 1947) was a champion Flat horse in the United States who became the top money-winning racehorse up to the 1940s. He beat the 1937 Triple-Crown winner, War Admiral, by four lengths in a two-horse special at Pimlico and was voted the 1938 American Horse of the Year. He only won a quarter of his first 40 races, but after moving to trainer Tom Smith, he went on to achieve great things. Among the many books and films documenting this famous racehorse’s life, the movie Seabiscuit, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Aldaniti

Aldaniti (25 June 1970 – 28 March 1997) won the Grand National in 1981. His jockey on that day, Bob Champion, had recovered from cancer, while Aldaniti had recovered after suffering a career-threatening injury. The horse was trained by Josh Gifford and owned by Nick Embiricos. Aldaniti starred as himself in the 1983 film Champions alongside John Hurt. He finished third in the 1979 Cheltenham Gold Cup and second in the Scottish Grand National. He sustained a serious leg injury at Sandown in November 1979 and was off the racecourse for over a year, which made his Grand National win all the more remarkable.

Shergar

No list of famous racehorses would be complete without Shergar (3 March 1978 – c. February 1983), who was bred and owned by HH Aga Khan IV and trained by Michael Stoute in Newmarket. From his eight races, he won six, including the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, all in 1981. After this successful season, he was retired to the Ballymany Stud in County Kildare, Ireland. In 1983 he was stolen from the stud, and a ransom of £2m was demanded; it was not paid, and negotiations were soon broken off by the thieves. In 1999 a supergrass, formerly in the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), stated they stole the horse. The IRA has never admitted any role in the theft and the horse was never found.

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Legendary chaser Denman will be remembered with a specially commissioned set of memorial gates at Newbury racecourse.

The National Hunt hero is the only horse since Arkle to win two runnings of the Hennessy Gold Cup, which has now been renamed the Ladbrokes Trophy, taking victory in 2007 and 2009.

The wrought iron gates, which bear his name and the dates of his two Hennessy victories, and were created by equine sculptor Charlie Langton with local blacksmith Guy Clarkson.

They will be officially opened on 9 February, Betfair Super Saturday, on the day of the 2019 Betfair Denman Chase.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said the gates are a fitting memorial to the horse’s “iron will”.

“Denman was an awesome horse who the public came to love because of his wholehearted approach to racing,” he said.

“He was a formidable competitor, particularly at Newbury where he won five times. He had an iron will and it feels appropriate that he is to be remembered with this magnificent set of gates.”

Affectionately nicknamed “The Tank”, the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was owned by Paul Barber and the late Margaret Findlay.

He won 14 of his 24 starts under Rules, amassing more than £1.14 million in prize money.

After his retirement from racing in 2011, Denman was retrained by Charlotte Alexander and enjoyed hunting, team chasing, eventing and taking part in Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades.

He fully retired from ridden work in 2017 and lived out his days at Paul Barber’s Ditcheat farm until his death last June.

Mr Barber said he is touched that Newbury has chosen to permanently commemorate Denman in “such a fitting way”.

“Put simply, he was a horse of a lifetime,” he added.

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Harry Findlay, son of Denman’s late co-owner Margaret Findlay, said: “This is a fitting tribute for the immortal equine tank.

“National Hunt racing has the most educated support in the world and the knowledgeable rapport and banter with the punters after his two Hennessy wins at Newbury were something I will never forget,”he said, adding Denman “more than left his mark” on Newbury.

Newbury racecourse chief executive Julian Thick said Denman meant a lot to “so many”.

“He is synonymous with Newbury, marked by two Hennessy Gold Cup wins, a runaway win in what is now the renamed Denman Chase as well as two novice chases,” he said.

“We are looking forward to welcoming those who were associated with him to officially open the gates and are delighted to have commissioned an appropriate and permanent way of remembering a very special horse.”

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This week (5 June 2018) we said goodbye to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and crowd favourite Denman, at the age of 18.

He shone on the racecourse when trained by Paul Nicholls and was known at home as “The Tank”.

He had a huge following thanks to his successful racing career, which saw him win 14 of his 24 starts under Rules and earned more than £1m in prize money. Most notably, were his victories in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup, plus two wins in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in 2007 and 2009.

He was also triumphant in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in and the RSA Chase at the Festival in 2007 — both ridden by Ruby Walsh.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls described him as a “magic horse, who had a tremendous following because of the wholehearted way he went about his racing”.

After his racing career, Denman went to the yard of Charlotte Alexander, who retrained him to enjoy hunting and team chasing until he was retired fully to live at owner Paul Barber’s Ditcheat farm in 2017.

Here’s a selection of some of our favourite memories of this much-loved horse…

1. Ruby Walsh steers Denman to victory in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in 2007

2. Denman (right, under Sam Thomas) and his stablemate Kauto Star (Ruby Walsh) take a look at the first fence ahead of the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup

3. Known as ‘The Tank’ at home, Denman denied Kauto Star three successive Cheltenham Gold Cups by winning the big race in 2008 — giving his jockey, Sam Thomas, his finest moment in the saddle

4. Denman, under Ruby Walsh, wins the 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury

5. Ditcheat trainer Paul Nicholls with his two former stable stars Denman (right) and Kauto Star (left) ahead of the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup, in which Denman finished second

6. Denman enjoyed his “retirement” team chasing under Charlotte Alexander — here finishing second as part of Team Ride Away in the intermediate class at Pytchley team chase in 2015

7. Following a fun-filled post-racing career team chasing, Denman returned to his owner Paul Barber’s Ditcheat farm in 2017 for his full retirement

8. Hedge-hopping: Denman also enjoyed his hunting after being retired from the racetrack — pictured here out with the Bicester with Whaddon Chase

9. Denman and Charlotte Alexander parade in front of racing fans at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival

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10. Denman enjoys a gallop in front of the Newbury stands ahead of the 2015 Hennessey Gold Cup

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National Hunt legend Denman has been put down “painlessly” at home at the age of 18.

The 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner had had a “fantastic” life since his retirement from the racecourse in 2011 but had started to go downhill, his former trainer Paul Nicholls said, so the decision was made to put him down as “we did not want to see him suffer”.

Denman won 14 of his 24 starts under Rules and earned more than £1m, but “mere statistics cannot possibly do him justice”, Paul said.

“Denman was known affectionately to punters and race goers as ‘The Tank’ which I always felt was a fitting description,” he told Betfair. “He was a magic horse who had a tremendous following because of the wholehearted way he went about his racing.

“He was tough, hardy and willing, wasn’t the easiest to train and would bite your hand off in his box given half a chance.

“He came along at the right time and was one of our superstars during a golden era for Team Ditcheat.”

Paul praised Denman’s “never say die” attitude, and cited the showdown between him and his stablemate Kauto Star in the 2008 Gold Cup as a “promoter’s dream”.

“I feel so privileged to have trained the pair of them as they were two of the best chasers ever seen on a racecourse,” he said.

After his racing career, Denman went to the yard of Charlotte Alexander, who retrained him to enjoy hunting and team chasing, until he was retired fully to live at owner Paul Barber’s Ditcheat farm last year.

“RIP you gorgeous horse,” said Charlotte. “A horse who loved life and was as brave as a lion. Blessed in having the most wonderful owner in PK Barber.

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“I was the luckiest girl to have had the honour of looking after The Tank in his active retirement.”

Paul added on social media: “Denman thank you for all the memories. You were pure gold. Rest in peace big fella.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

The latest edition (31 May) is a training special, including a look at the world’s top trainers and whether you should have multiple coaches. Also check out our summer clothing guide, interview with showjumper and recent winner of the Hamburg Derby Matt Sampson, and feature on health problems in miniature horses

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National Hunt hero Denman has started his full retirement after enjoying a fun-filled post-racing career.

The 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, formerly trained by Paul Nicholls, ended his career on the track in 2011 after winning 14 of his 24 starts.

He moved to Charlotte Alexander’s yard in 2012, where she retrained him to enjoy hunting, team chasing and grassroots eventing.

The 17-year-old, whose real birthday* is today (17 April), went home to owner Paul Barber’s Ditcheat farm last week where he will be looking after the young horses out in the field.

“He will never want for anything,” Charlotte told H&H, adding that Paul’s head lad Clifford Baker has a view from his window over Denman’s new field.

“He will have the best possible care.”

Known as “The Tank”, the popular chaser excelled in his new life off the track.

“He has just been the most fabulous hunter,” said Charlotte.

“He was absolutely incredible. His jumping just went from strength to strength — Brian Hutton at Talland helped me hugely with that.

“He is marvellous — such a gentleman and he oozed quality when you rode him.”

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The son of Presenting also made numerous appearances in Retraining of Racehorses parades at major fixtures, most recently visiting the 2017 Cheltenham Festival and Grand National meeting.

As Denman starts the new phase of his life, so too does long-serving National Hunt hero Silviniaco Conti, who arrived at Charlotte’s yard three days ago.

The seven-time Grade One winner, who was also in training with Paul, ran his final race at Aintree on 6 April and was retired from the track the same day.

“He is out with my other horses in the field and having a holiday,” said Charlotte.

“He looks amazing — Paul looks after his horses so well, he looks an absolute picture.”

She added the plan is to take him hunting, which they already know he enjoys, team chasing and potentially some eventing.

“Whatever suits him — he will tell me what he wants to do,” said Charlotte.

*All thoroughbreds’ official birthdays are 1 January.

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National Hunt heroes Big Buck’s, Denman and Long Run are among the equine stars that will be parading at the Cheltenham Festival on the opening day (Tuesday, 14 March).

This year’s Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parade — sponsored by the Peter O’Sullevan Trust — will include eight former Festival winners and showcases the variety of opportunities available to racehorses once they retire from their career on the track.

Joining the racing legends will also be Balthazar King and The Giant Bolster. The latter is ridden by H&H blogger Lucy Bridgwater — wife of The Giant Bolster’s former trainer David. The 12-year-old (pictured, below with Lucy) made the frame in three consecutive runnings of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and was retired at the end of 2016.

Three months into his retraining, the gelding is already showing promise.

“The prospect of being in the RoR parade at the Festival is both exciting and a little nerve-racking,” said Lucy. “As is often the way when retraining a racehorse, there are good days and bad days. One day I was so thrilled with ‘Sammy’, he was really listening and was consistently cantering 20-metre circles on each rein but the next day he spent the whole time squealing and bucking and not listening.

“Recently, we did our first RoR dressage clinic and he was really good, he tried so hard. On the way home, I have to admit, I felt quite choked up. Sammy gave so much to all of us during his racing career and he is still being a star now — he really is the horse that keeps on giving. I think he knows how loved he is.”

Having bounced back from a potentially life-threatening injury, Balthazar King — winner of the 2014 Cross Country Chase — will also be lining up for the parade. The gelding fractured four ribs and punctured a lung in a fall during the Grand National (11 April 2015), but made a miraculous comeback to the racecourse before being retired last year.

He has since enjoyed hunting with Izzi Beckett, wife of trainer Ralph.

“Balthazar King has adapted really well to his new life and new routine. He has hunted mainly with the Tedworth Hunt, as well as neighbouring packs, and he has taken to it like a natural. He loves watching hounds work and he has impeccable manners. Needless to say his jumping is outstanding,” said Izzi.

“Hunting will be his number one job from now on, however, the plan is to try our hand at some RoR show classes this spring and summer.”

Read the full list of ex-racehorses on parade below:

BALTHAZAR KING (Hunting) – ridden by Izzi Beckett

13-year-old by King’s Theatre, formerly trained by Philip Hobbs

BEWARE CHALK PIT (Showing) – ridden by Rebecca Court

13-year-old by Anshan, formerly trained by Jonathan Geake

BIG BUCK’S (Hunting) – ridden by Lucy Tucker

14-year-old by Cadoudal, formerly trained by Paul Nicholls

DENMAN (Team Chasing/Hunting) – led up by Charlotte Alexander

17-year-old by Presenting, formerly trained by Paul Nicholls

FINIAN’S RAINBOW (Hunting) – ridden by Becky Blandford

14-year-old by Tiraaz, formerly trained by Nicky Henderson

FORPADYDEPLASTERER (Showing and Hunting) – ridden by Joanne Quirke

15-year-old by Moscow Society, formerly trained by Thomas Cooper

LONG RUN (Hacking and Hunting) – ridden by Becky Young

12-year-old by Cadoudal, formerly trained by Nicky Henderson

MIDNIGHT CHASE (Hunting and Eventing) – ridden by Sally Hayward

15-year-old by Midnight Legend, formerly trained by Neil Mulholland

PENZANCE (Dressage and Hunter trialling) – ridden by Alex Evans

16-year-old by Pennecamp, formerly trained by Alan King

PUNJABI (Dressage and Hunting) – ridden by Rachael Kempster

14-year-old by Komaite, formerly trained by Nicky Henderson and David Pipe

RUBI LIGHT (Showing) – ridden by Kirsteen Reid

12-year-old by Network, formerly trained by Robbie Hennessy

THE GIANT BOLSTER (Dressage) – ridden by Lucy Bridgwater

12-year-old by Black Sam Bellamy, formerly trained by David Bridgwater

The Cheltenham Festival runs from 14-17 March. Read Horse & Hound’s full report from the Festival in the 23 March issue of the magazine, plus read daily round-ups online.

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The thrill of seeing Denman in action on the racecourse might be over, but fans of 'The Tank' will be glad to hear that he's been taking centre stage once again to pose for a new bronze (which has taken 300 hours to make already)...

The former giant of jump racing Denman, who retired from racing in 2011, is being immortalised as a bronze by sculptor Tristram Lewis.

The edition of 12 sculptures will be launched on 8 March at The Osborne Studio Gallery in London, the week before this year’s Cheltenham Festival (14-17 March 2017), where Denman found fame when he won the Gold Cup in 2008.

The creative process has so far taken Wiltshire-based Tristam 300 hours — and the maquette has already won the heart of owner Paul Barber (below). It is being cast in bronze at Castle Foundry in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

“I think the key to this story is that Denman really captured the public’s imagination, outside racing as well, partially due to his great rivalry with stable mate Kauto Star,” says Geoffrey Hughes, director of The Osborne Studio Gallery.

“However it was also due to him being an old fashion-style chaser — big and brave with a huge heart, he never gave up and was a superb jumper.

“He won over a million pounds in prize money and his ownership was also somewhat romantic. His owners could not have been more different; Paul Barber a well-known farmer and horse breeder (a true countryman) and Harry Findlay a maverick and professional gambler — they got on well together, but it all contributed to the story of Denman,” adds Geoffrey.

“‘The Tank’, as he was fondly known was considered in the same vein as Red Rum, Arkle and Desert Orchid with his ability to be successful in the big races over many seasons. Quite a rare feat!”

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Kauto Star and Denman delight crowds at Cheltenham Festival [PICS]

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Tristram has hunted for 30 years and his horses at home in Wiltshire usefully double up as models. He has a particular understanding of the subtle differences in character and bone structure between one horse and another, and is also currently completing the first fully-illustrated biography of Sir Alfred Munnings.

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Denman “thoroughly enjoyed” being back at the site of one of his most famous victories at the weekend, when he took to the track at Newbury.

The 16-year-old gelding paraded for the crowds at Newbury racecourse on Saturday (13 February) ahead of the race named in his honour, the Grade Two Denman Chase.

“Denman thoroughly enjoyed parading at Newbury – he flew down the course in front of the stands,” his rider Charlotte Alexander told H&H.

“Now he knows where the exit is, he is a little easier to pull up after the winning post!

“We had one hairy moment when circling prior to galloping down the course. He tried to lock onto the white railings and for one moment I thought we were going to jump them.”

The race was won by the Venetia Williams-trained Houblon Des Obeaux, ridden by Aidan Coleman.

As well as winning the Denman Chase (then the Aon) in 2008, Denman also won the Berkshire track’s showpiece race — the Hennessy Gold Cup — twice (2007 and 2009).

Denman, who was trained by champion trainer Paul Nicholls in Somerset, has been based with Charlotte Alexander in Gloucestershire since 2012.

The popular chaser has settled in nicely to a new career in hunting and team chasing in his retirement.

“Denman did seem to be in a particularly good mood on Saturday and was totally unfazed when Mr Barber [his owner] suggested that people came into the paddock to pat him,” Charlotte added.

“He stood stock still while his fans including young children made a huge fuss over him. The children loved his soft nose.

“He was rather fresh on exercise this morning (Monday, 15 February) and I expect he will be a bit of a handful out hunting on Saturday.”

Denman is now being prepared for the team chase season, which is due to start in the middle of March.

Related articles:

• Denman ‘absolutely loving’ team chasing
• Denman and Big Buck’s take to the hunting field together
• Denman flying in his new career

“He has been hunting regularly with the Beaufort and had the odd day visiting the Blackmore Vale, Heythrop and Fernie this season,” Charlotte added.

“He has been training with Brian Hutton of Talland in order to make him more careful out hunting.

“This training has definitely helped his jumping and both jockey and horse are now more confident over an upright set of rails!”

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Fans of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman will be able to see the former racing star at Newbury this weekend.

The 16-year-old gelding will be parading for the crowds at Newbury racecourse tomorrow (Saturday, 13 February) ahead of the race named in his honour, the Denman Chase.

As well as winning the Denman Chase (then the Aon) in 2008, the gelding also won the Berkshire track’s showpiece race — the Hennessy Gold Cup — twice (2007 and 2009).

Denman, who was trained by champion trainer Paul Nicholls in Somerset, has been based with Charlotte Alexander in Gloucestershire since 2012.

The popular chaser has settled in nicely to a new career in hunting and team chasing in his retirement.

“Denman is in rude health,” Charlotte told H&H.

He is now being prepared for the team chase season, which is due to start in the middle of March.

“He has been hunting regularly with the Beaufort and had the odd day visiting the Blackmore Vale, Heythrop and Fernie this season,” she added.

“He has been training with Brian Hutton of Talland in order to make him more careful out hunting.

“This training has definitely helped his jumping and both jockey and horse are now more confident over an upright set of rails!”

Related articles:

• Denman ‘absolutely loving’ team chasing
• Denman flying in his new career
• Paul Nicholls reveals his Hennessy Gold Cup memories

Denman won his first rosette last October, when he took part in the intermediate at the Pytchley in Northants (11 October), partnered by Charlotte. The team finished second.

Charlotte said the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner “absolutely loved it”.

“He found it easy and was very pleased with himself,” she added. “I’m thrilled with him as he is improving all the time.”

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A piece of tack that's most often seen on competition horses, Stephanie Bateman finds out what the lever or combination noseband is designed to do, and which horses are best suited to it

How does a lever/combination noseband work?

The lever or combination noseband has a half-moon piece of metal that goes on each side of the horse’s face. A piece of leather attaches to the top end of the metal curve (near the horse’s cheek bone), which runs under the jaw and attaches to the other side of the face. In the middle of the metal curve, a piece of leather runs over the top of the nose, acting as the main noseband, but it sits slightly lower than a standard cavesson — somewhere between a cavesson and a drop noseband. A third piece of leather runs from the bottom of the metal curve under the chin groove of the horse.

This noseband is similar in design to the grackle, and works by preventing the horse from crossing his jaw, which gives the rider more control. The slightly lower position of the noseband, when compared to a cavesson, acts in a similar way to a drop noseband, placing pressure on the nose and chin groove, but without restricting the horse’s breathing.

Continued below…

What type of horse are they suitable for?

The lever/combination noseband is ideal for sensitive-mouthed horses who are very strong, but wouldn’t go well in a stronger bit. It is also good for horses who tend to lean or pull down and forwards.

Team chaser Charlotte Alexander is an advocate of this type of noseband, and as well as using it on her ex-National Hunt racehorse and open team chaser Earthmover, she also now uses it on National Hunt legend Denman (above) when hunting and team chasing.

“I found it very effective with Earthmover, who was exceptionally strong,” explains Charlotte.

“Thoroughbreds tend to have quite soft, sensitive mouths and can be easily over-bitted. I like using grackle nosebands, but however tight it’s done up, the horse can still open their mouths and stretch the leather, making it less effective. The combination noseband can’t be stretched wider so the horse can’t cock their jaw. I find that, once they’ve realised they can’t cock their jaw, they don’t fight as much,” she says.

“The advantage of using this noseband with Denman is that it allows me to have a relatively mild bit in his mouth — a Neue Schule Turtle Top — but still have control when he gets strong and excited in company.

“I’ve been using this noseband for many years, but as with anything, not every horse will go in them – some love it and some hate it.”

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Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is saddling the strongly fancied Saphir Du Rheu in this year’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury — a race close to the trainer’s heart.

The six-year-old gelding will come up against 16 other rivals on Saturday (28 November) in the three-and-a-quarter mile handicap chase, worth a record £200,000. He will be partnered by Paul’s first jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, under a top weight of 11st 12Ib.

The Somerset-based handler, who has lifted the champion National Hunt trainer title an impressive nine times, has an outstanding association with the Hennessy Gold Cup — both in the saddle and as a trainer.

“To have ridden and trained winners of the Hennessy Gold Cup, I obviously feel very privileged. It’s just amazing really and I never dreamt that would happen — I feel I’ve been incredibly lucky,” says Paul.

Continued below…

18 things you might not know about the Hennessy Gold Cup

How many of these facts did you know about the prestigious race?

His first training victory came in 2003 with Strong Flow before the unequalled Denman romped home twice to win in 2007 and 2009.

Paul and his great rival Nicky Henderson hold the record, out of racing’s current trainers, for the most wins in the prestigious race — having notched up three triumphs each. Only the great Fulke Walwyn has won the race more times as a trainer.

Before turning his attention to training, Paul also claimed double victory in the Hennessy as a jockey. First in 1986 riding Broadheath, despite a mistake at the third last where Paul got thrown forward out of the saddle.

“I remember jumping the last and the roar from the crowd was absolutely incredible. To win was phenomenal — I never thought I’d ever be good enough to ride horses like that,” he says.

A year later, he returned to Newbury to take another Hennessy win aboard Playschool in 1987. With fellow jockey-turned-trainer Andy Turnell, the two men are the only two in the race’s history to have won both as a jockey and then as a trainer.

Don’t miss the full report from the Hennessy in the 3 December issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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As the focus turns to Newbury racecourse this week (26-28 November) for the bet365 Festival — featuring the Hennessy Gold Cup — where some of the country’s top jump horses will battle it out, we take a look at the race’s most interesting facts:

1. This year will be the 59th running of the Hennessy Gold Cup.

2. The sponsorship by Hennessy has been passed down through eight generations of the Hennessy family.

3. This year’s three-day Festival has seen an £85,000 increase in total prize-money — the Hennessy Gold Cup is now valued at £200,000.

Continued below…

A day in the life of champion trainer Paul Nicholls *PICTURES*

With around 120 horses in residence at Manor Farm Stables in Somerset, it’s a 24-7 job for Champion National Hunt

4. Six new chase fences have been re-built around the course.

5. Newbury racecourse, where the Hennessy is run, is undergoing a facelift next year — to include a new parade ring, saddling-up boxes and a new owners and trainers facility.

6. The Hennessy was first run at Cheltenham in 1957, it moved to Newbury three years later.

7. Hennessy has been associated with the race since it began making it the longest running commercial sponsorship in British racing.

8. There have been three dual winners of the prestigious race — Mandarin (1957 and 1961), Arkle (1964 and 1965) and Denman (2007 and 2009).

9. The most successful trainer of the Hennessy is the late Fulke Walwyn, who notched up seven victories.

10. The late Lord Oaksey has been the only amateur jockey to ever win the race — aboard Taxidermist in 1958.

11. Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has both trained and ridden Hennessy winners. He triumphed riding Broadheath (1986) and Playschool (1987), and then went on to train Strong Flow (2003) and Denman (2007 and 2009) to victory.

12. There have been 23 seven-year-old winners, 11 six-year-olds and 11 eight-year-olds.

13. Five greys have been triumphant — Stalbridge Colonist (1966), One Man (1994), Suny Bay (1997), Teeton Mill (1998) and What’s Up Boys (2001).

14. The biggest field came in 1962 when there were 27 runners.

15. The longest-priced winner was Sibton Abbey in 1992 — he was a 40/1 outsider.

16. A total of 30 winners have carried 11-stone or more to victory.

17. Four horses have made the impressive feat of winning both the Hennessy Gold Cup and Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season — Arkle, Bregawn, Denman and Bobs Worth.

18. Last year’s victor, Many Clouds, is the only horse to have won both the Hennessy and the Grand National in the same season. His owner, Trevor Hemmings, also took the honours in 2005 with Trabolgan.

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Former National Hunt star Denman was back in action at the weekend — this time in a team chase.

The 15-year-old gelding took part in the intermediate at the Pytchley in Northants (11 October), partnered by Charlotte Alexander.

Charlotte said the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner “absolutely loved it”. The team finished second, with Denman picking up his first rosette.

“He found it easy and was very pleased with himself,” she added. “I’m thrilled with him as he is improving all the time.”

Denman has been based with Charlotte in Gloucestershire since 2012 and has settled in nicely to a new career in hunting and team chasing.

At the weekend the pair were part of Team Rideaway with Stephen Clark and Joe Stephenson.

“I ran Denman with a good fast team and this made all the difference as he settled well in third position,” she said.

“He gave me the most amazing feeling. He jumped all the timber very accurately, so that’s thanks to Brian Hutton at Talland who has given up so much time to help with his accuracy.

“The effortlessness with which he crosses the country and skips over the fences is truly amazing.

“He enjoyed it so much as did I as I did not get my arms pulled out due to the speed that my team were running at. It was a great result for Denman to come second in the intermediate.”

Charlotte also ran with the team to win the open with her other ex-racehorse Kahrayn. 

She added that she’s limited as to when she can run Denman though due to the ground.

“He likes to have a bit of cut and with a dry week forecast, we will go autumn hound training on Saturday instead,” she added

“Denman has lost none of his joi de vive and yet when he is tied to the back of the trailer, he goes to sleep along with my other horses while he is waiting for his turn.”

Photos by Paul Carley.

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When horses reach a certain level of success and fame it can feel as if they have become public property — with everyone having an opinion on the horse’s care, to how it is worked and competed.

But is the pressure of riding — and, especially, taking on — such high-profile horses too much for riders?

Is it unfair that they are burdened with such responsibility?

During the past couple of years, eventer Laura Collett has been thrown into the spotlight after taking on legendary racehorse Kauto Star.

When the horse retired in 2012 with victories in two Cheltenham Gold Cups, four Betfair Chases and a record five King George VI Chases to his name, owner Clive Smith, in consultation with Retraining of Racehorses, moved the horse from trainer Paul Nicholls’ yard in Ditcheat to Laura’s Lambourn base.

The aim was to retrain him for a career in dressage and, as one of the most successful and popular National Hunt stars of all time, it was an “honour and a privilege”, said Laura, to take him on.

His owner Clive Smith wanted the horse to be kept active in retirement and added: “I wanted to give him a nice time for the rest of his life.”

However, as soon as he moved, the horse was subject to constant scrutiny.

Last month (29 June) the 15-year-old gelding was put down following a field accident. A social media debate ensued, which left Laura saying she felt “bullied and hurt” by accusations that she’d lied about the circumstances of his death.

“It’s been a harrowing week but I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shown their kind support,” she said, declining to comment further.

Charlotte Alexander also understands the pressure of taking on a famous horse, having had Foxhunter winner Earthmover and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman in her charge.

“The worry of something going wrong is more enormous than if it is an unknown horse,” she told H&H.

In order to counter this she competes Denman under an alias in unaffiliated events, which she does as training for his main sports — hunting and team chasing.

“Sometimes no one recognises him, and sometimes people do and are thrilled to see him,” she added.

She added that the pressure was “huge” when she went hunting at Ditcheat earlier this year, his home of so many years when in training with Paul Nicholls.

“I was so proud of him and it was lovely that people were amazed at what a sensible hunter he had become,” she said.

“Denman is just as precious to me as any of my other horses as I love them all dearly. It is handling people’s expectations that is where the pressure comes from. There is nothing more amazing than riding a horse of such quality at speed over hedges. I am spoilt to have the experience of riding such an amazing athlete as Denman.”

‘People would say, is that him?’

The issue is particularly felt in ex-racehorses, due to racing being the second biggest spectator sport in the country after football, but other disciplines are not exempt.

Yasmin Ingham took on Imperial Cavalier last year when she was just 17, after Mary King’s Olympic silver medal winner was retired after Badminton.

Yasmin was going to Aston-le-Walls with another horse for the Davies, Imperial Cavalier’s owners, when they asked her to pick up “Archie”.

“I was gobsmacked that he was even on my yard,” she said. “And when they offered me the ride I almost dropped to the floor. It was the best day of my life.”

Yasmin said that although it was an “amazing feeling” she did feel the pressure.

“When we first went out I could hear people saying, ‘Is that him?’ and it did make me nervous,” she added. “I felt I had to do well. But as the year went on my confidence grew. We gelled quickly.”

Mary still keeps in touch, and the pair have been long-listed for the Junior Europeans.

“It is daunting — you’re so worried something might go wrong, and you have the responsibility of looking after a valuable horse,” added Yasmin. “But horses are horses; with any of them you just want them to be happy and healthy.”

Big footsteps to fill

When Matthias Rath took over the ride on Totilas from Edward Gal in 2010 it ended weeks of speculation about who would have charge of the popular stallion.

The star had gained many followers, not all of whom were pleased to see the partnership with Edward end.

Matthias was just 26 when the horse was bought by his stepmother Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Paul Schockemöhle.

“Of course I am very happy to ride the world’s best dressage horse. I know it is a big challenge to fill Edward’s footsteps,” he said at the time.

However, under Matthias a string of illnesses and injures, to both rider and horse, have been less in the spotlight in recent times. The pair recently made their comeback at Hagen and are currently aiming at the European Championships, having missed the World Equestrian Games in 2014 due to injury.

Concentrate on yourself

In comparison showjumper Trevor Breen took gaining the ride on Loughnatousa WB after the horse won the 2102 Hickstead Derby with Paul Beecher in his stride.

“I suppose ultimately when you take on a horse, what he’s done in the past is irrelevant,” he told H&H.

“If you’re caught up with what they’ve done before, you will never go forward. You have to ride them the best you can. Some people get on better with some horses than others. Horses I do well on might not go so well for others, and vice versa.”

Rider, trainer, and master practitioner in NLP (neurolinguistic programming) Lucy Thompson told H&H: “Riders are very good at feeling they’re not worthy of this top horse they’ve taken on, but it’s terribly important to accept the horse doesn’t know more, it just knows it in a different language so they have to learn together.

“The insecurity comes from the horror of letting the horse down.

“You just have to say ‘aren’t I lucky’ and accept the fact people are going to talk about it and watch you. Anything you can’t change you have to develop a thick skin about, and anything you can change you have to work hard on.

“I didn’t find it easy to take on Welton Romance from Ginny Elliott, but I just thought I need to worry about the relationship with the horse, no one else, and make it super.”

Ref: H&H 15 July, 2015

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The likelihood is that the new royal baby girl will have a fair amount of toys heading her way to celebrate her long awaited arrival. But if she’s anything like her polo-loving father, eventing legend great aunt or racing-mad great granny, our pick of horsey toys will be the only ones that she is actually interested in playing with.

And with so many of the world’s equine stars now immortalised as toys — most recently Valegro — there couldn’t be a better way to get the new baby familarised with the big names of our sport. The only problem will be keeping Prince George’s hands off his younger sister’s toys…

1. A Toytown rocking horse

What better way to give the new baby a subtle hint that eventing is in the blood than by splashing out on this rocking horse version of Zara Phillips‘ Toytown? Even his white spots have been faithfully reproduced.

Visit: www.rockinghorses.uk.net

2. A Mistral Hojris Breyer toy

This Breyer model of dressage sensation Laura Tomlinson‘s (née Bechtolsheimer) Olympic gold medallist Mistral Hojris will be a helpful reminder to the baby girl of Britain’s success at the London 2012 Olympic Games in years to come.

Visit: www.breyerhorses.com

Continued below…

9 rocking horses every child (and many adults) would love to own

If a pony is at the top of your child's wish list, but you aren't in a position to fulfill

3. A Denman jigsaw puzzle

This Denman puzzle from the Injured Jockeys Fund is one to be tucked away in the cupboard for the new baby to play with when she’s older. But it will be worth the wait when she can spend hours piecing together the National Hunt star.

Visit: shop.ijf.org.uk

4. A Frankel Breyer toy

Honour the unbeaten racehorse with a Breyer model. When the baby girl is old enough to know that the Sir Henry Cecil-trained Frankel won all 14 out of 14 starts, she will be glad to have this legend among her toys.

Visit: www.breyerhorses.com

5. A Black Caviar soft toy

Black Caviar in her soft toy format will make the perfect companion as the baby girl has sweet dreams about the superstar mare soaring past the finishing line.

Visit: www.blackcaviarshop.com.au

Diclaimer: Please note that these toys may not be suitable for new born babies.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Past heroes of the racetrack returned to Cheltenham yesterday (Tuesday 10 March) to parade for fans on the first day of the 2015 Cheltenham Festival.

Gold Cup winners Denman (pictured below) and Kauto Star (pictured top) were joined by four-time World Hurdle winner Big Buck’s, who is now enjoying a second career hunting, as well as Blazing Bailey, Comply Or Die and Jack The Giant.

Charlotte Alexander, who has been hunting and team chasing Denman since he retired from Paul Nicholls yard in 2011, was delighted to take the 14-year-old to the place of his greatest victory — the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“Denman loves being back at Cheltenham,” she told H&H. “There is nothing like the atmosphere of the Festival. He was keen!

“It was lovely for him to see his old stablemates Kauto Star and Big Buck’s again too.”

She added: “It was great to see his relation Polly Peachum [who is out of Denman’s full sister, Miss Denman] running so well in the mares’ race as well.”

The ex-racehorses paraded in the paddock at 12.30pm, before galloping in front of the stands before the first race.

Kauto Star (pictured below) was also on show under event rider Laura Collett, who tweeted: “What an epic day at the Cheltenham Festival. I’m such a lucky girl to canter Kauto Star in front of the stands.”

Big Buck’s (pictured below) was recently taken on by Lucy Tucker, after he retired following last year’s World Hurdle. The gelding is settling into hunting well, and in December returned to Ditcheat with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale with former stablemate Denman.

The Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades were introduced in 2008 by the charity to showcase the adaptability of racehorses when retrained for a second career. They are now an established part of the major jump racing festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, as well as featuring at British Champions Day at Ascot in October.

“To have Gold Cup, Grand National and World Hurdle winners in the parade is fantastic and it was great for the Cheltenham racegoers to see so many old favourites,” said Di Arbuthnot of RoR.

Grand National hero Comply Or Die is now showing off his skills in dressage, Jack The Giant is a showing star — having won at Hickstead last summer — while popular grey Grands Crus has turned his hoof to showjumping.

Also strutting their stuff in the sunshine in the Gloucestershire parade ring were Sentry Duty, an ex-Nicky Henderson-trained Flat horse who is now hunting and Miko De Beauchene, winner of the 2007 Welsh National who now hunts with the North Cotswold, Ortolan, the joint RoR elite eventing champion ridden by Polly Stockton.

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Past Gold Cup winners Denman and Kauto Star will be among a group of popular ex-racehorses parading for fans at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday (10 March).

They will be joined at the Gloucestershire track by four-time World Hurdle winner Big Buck’s, who is now enjoying a second career hunting, as well as Blazing Bailey, Comply Or Die and Jack The Giant.

Big Buck’s was recently taken on by Lucy Tucker, after he retired following last year’s World Hurdle. The gelding is settling into hunting well, and in December delighted fans when he returned to Ditcheat with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale with former stablemate Denman.

Denman paraded at Newbury racecourse last month (pictured) ahead of the race named in his honour, the Denman Chase.

His rider Charlotte Alexander told H&H she is pleased to be bringing the gelding back to Cheltenham and the site of his most famous victory — the 2008 Gold Cup.

“I’m very much looking forward to parading Denman at Cheltenham, and in particular breezing in front of the packed stands after the runners have gone down for the first race,” she said.

“Denman is feeling rather well at the moment so it will be rather an exciting gallop.

“It will be lovely for him to see his old stablemates Kauto Star and Big Buck’s again.”

The Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades were introduced in 2008 by the charity to showcase the adaptability of racehorses when retrained for a second career. They are now an established part of the major jump racing festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, as well as featuring at British Champions Day at Ascot in October.

“To have Gold Cup, Grand National and World Hurdle winners in the parade is fantastic and it will be great for the Cheltenham racegoers to see so many old favourites,” said Di Arbuthnot of RoR.

“However, just as important from the charity’s perspective are those horses that have channelled their talents into a whole new discipline.”

Grand National hero Comply Or Die is now showing off his skills in dressage, Jack The Giant is a showing star — having won at Hickstead last summer — while popular grey Grands Crus has turned his hoof to showjumping.

Joining them is Sentry Duty, an ex-Nicky Henderson-trained Flat horse who is now hunting and Miko De Beauchene, winner of the 2007 Welsh National who now hunts with the North Cotswold.

“Also parading will be Ortolan, a horse less-well known to racegoers, but the joint RoR elite eventing champion ridden by Polly Stockton,” added Di.

“For RoR to have the opportunity to parade horses at events such as the Cheltenham Festival is a real privilege and forms an important part of our strategy to increase awareness of the work the charity does facilitating the retraining of racehorses.”

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Denman delighted fans at Newbury on Saturday (7 February), showing he’d lost none of his old enthusiasm as he galloped up the track.

The 15-year-old gelding paraded in the paddock before racing, and then led runners out before the race named in his honour — the Denman Chase.

“Denman was immaculately behaved, even if a touch on his toes. He revels in all the attention,” his rider Charlotte Alexander told H&H.

“He adores galloping in front of the stands with the roar of the crowd cheering him on.

“He clearly enjoyed it and was full of himself, as the day after he decided to take me on a gallop that was a bit longer than I had originally planned!”

Denman, who now lives in Gloucestershire with Charlotte, has been settling into a new career and is a popular sight on the hunting field this season.

As well as winning the Denman Chase (then the Aon) in 2008, the gelding also won the Berkshire track’s showpiece race — the Hennessy Gold Cup — twice (2007 and 2009).

“Denman loved being back at Newbury where he was admired by all his fans,” added Charlotte.

The National Hunt hero also won the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup when in training with Paul Nicholls in Somerset.

“It was lovely for him to see his old Ditcheat team — Lucinda Gould [who looked after him when at Paul’s] along with Donna [head girl], Paul and Georgie [Nicholls] and Dan Skelton [who was assistant trainer at the time],” added Charlotte.

“However, the best treat was to see Paul and Marianne Barber [Denman’s owners] who always love seeing Denman and ply him with copious amounts of polos and spoil him rotten.”

The Denman Chase was won by Coneygree and H&H columnist Richard Johnson.

“A lot of people appreciated seeing Denman and he looked really well,” said Richard.

“It’s fantastic seeing a horse enjoying his second career so much. He was known as The Tank and he’d clearly lost none of his enthusiasm when he powered along in front of the stands.”

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Former National Hunt hero Denman will be parading for his fans at Newbury racecourse tomorrow (Saturday 7 February).

Denman will return to his favourite track to parade ahead of the race named in his honour — the Denman Chase.

As well as winning this in 2008, the gelding also won the Berkshire track’s showpiece race — the Hennessy Gold Cup — twice (2007 and 2009).

Denman now lives in Gloucestershire with Charlotte Alexander.

“Denman does very few parades as he is busy hunting,” Charlotte told H&H.

“He loves parading before his race at Newbury though. He particularly likes hearing all the clapping when walking round the ring and the cheering when galloping back past the stands having led the runners out onto the track.

“Denman knows he is a star and deserves all the praise lavished upon him — is an exceptionally brave horse”.

The winner of the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup has made a remarkable recovery after suffering an illness in 2013. Denman spent five months in equine hospital after contracting a potentially fatal blood and bone infection. But now he’s back to his old self.

This season the 15-year-old has really got to grips with his new sport and is proving a popular sight on the hunting field.

“He has taken ages to build up strength and muscle and he is now progressing in leaps and bounds. He is such a happy horse and it is incredible that he is able to leap across the country as he does. He is like a spitfire, quick, exciting and beautiful,” added Charlotte.

Also due back on the track on Betfair Super Saturday is Champion Chase-winner Sire De Grugy, who hasn’t run since winning the bet365 Celebration Chase in April.

The Gary Moore-trained gelding was due to run earlier this season but suffered a hip injury. However the trainer said the horse is now “fit and well” is due to run in the Grade Two Betfair Price Rush Steeple Chase on Saturday.

The Denman Chase is run at 2.25pm and the Betfair Price Rush Steeple Chase is at 3pm. Both will be shown on Channel 4.

For more information visit: www.newburyracecourse.co.uk

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Happy New Year! Well here we are in 2015 and we are heading at speed towards the new eventing season. It feels like only yesterday I was doing my last event at Aldon. How time flies!

The past few weeks of the Christmas/New Year period have gone by in quite a blur with plenty of hunting, racing and partying to keep us busy.

In my last blog I was just off to watch Rock On Ruby, trained by my brother Harry, run at Cheltenham and, well, what an absolute star he is. He won that day then went back there on New Year’s Day and won again with Noel Fehily on board each time.

The horse is so tough and a real credit to Harry, Ciara and the whole team. It was obviously very fitting and special that Harry and Ciara’s baby, Ruby, was there both times to watch him.

Hunting in Ireland

I also managed to squeeze in a fantastic weekend away in Ireland with my brothers, George and Jamie, just before Christmas.

We went over for a day’s hunting with the Kilkenny Foxhounds, very kindly organised by Neil Walsh. I had a great little cob called George to look after me and thankfully he knew what he was doing…some of the drains we jumped were fairly hairy and large! It wouldn’t be hunting for the faint hearted that’s for sure!

I have been over to Ireland to hunt before, but it was great to go over again and get some more Irish experience.

We were also really spoilt to have a tour round Ballylinch Stud, home to some very well known racing stallions. Most notably, Lope De Vega, a flat stallion and Beat Hollow, a dual-purpose stallion who, the six times Cheltenham festival winner, Quevega, is in foal to.

Continued below…

Read another of Rosie’s blogs

Rosie Fry’s eventing blog: ending the season on a high

Our eventing blogger has a successful last run and looks forward to a busy winter of racing and hunting

Big Buck’s and Denman

The Monday after we returned from Ireland we were back out hunting with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale jumping over what we are used to — hedges!

It was a very special day because we were very privileged to have two legends of National Hunt racing — Big Buck’s and Denman — out with us, As the meet was hosted by their former trainer, Paul Nicholls, it was all very fitting. They looked absolutely magnificent and seem to be really enjoying their new lives, which was just fantastic to see.

My eventers are all well and we will be off to our first competition of 2015 this week: some British Showjumping at West Wilts.

With the next couple of weeks filling up with dressage, showjumping competitions and the usual training regime, I’m really excited to kick things off!

Fingers crossed this year is a good one and I’m really looking forward to sharing the highs and lows with you all once again.

Rosie

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Former stable-mates Denman and Big Buck’s were reunited on the hunting field yesterday (Monday 22 December).

The pair — who were formerly trained in Ditcheat by Paul Nicholls — were back in Somerset having a day with Blackmore and Sparkford Vale.

And the eight-times champion trainer was delighted with the turnout of his two former star charges.

“They are having the time of their lives and looking very well — how top horses should be in retirement,” Paul told H&H.

Charlotte Alexander, who rides Denman, told H&H she had a “fab day”.

“Blackmore Vale is brilliant — there are lovely people and it is terrific fun for hedgaholics like me and Denman,” she said.

Last week H&H reported how Denman was settling in well to his new career in hunting — and that was clear from his latest outing.

This season the 14-year-old has really got to grips with his new sport and is proving a popular sight on the hunting field, flying over hedges and ditches.

“It was wonderful to see everyone. As I unloaded in Paul Barber’s [Denman’s owner’s] drive I went into the yard and the whole of Team Ditcheat came out to see D and give him a cuddle and have their photos taken with him,” she added.

Last year the winner of the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup spent five months in equine hospital after contracting a potentially fatal blood and bone infection. But he has made a remarkable recovery and is now back to his old self.

“Denman was a superstar out hunting and jumped absolutely everything from hedges off the road to water troughs, white tape and a line of hedges with ditches in front,” said a thrilled Charlotte.

“He flew and was as good as any of them. I am so proud of him as he has come a long way. We had a great run straight from the meet over the Barber’s hedges — it was absolutely wonderful!”

Charlotte also praised Big Buck’s, saying he looked “amazing”, crediting new rider Lucy Tucker.

“He stood with hounds impeccably and loved having his photo taken,” said Charlotte.

Lucy told H&H the popular 11-year-old ex-racehorse has settled in well to his new life.

The former hurdling hero — who famously won 18 races in a row — has embarked on a new career tackling different size obstacles this autumn

The gelding — who won the World Hurdle at Cheltenham a record four times — was retired in March.

And Big Buck’s, who was well-known for being a box walker, has settled into life with Lucy very well. She describes him as “very chilled out” and “incredibly sweet”.

“We’re very privileged to have him, he’s an easy horse to do, is extremely well and happy within himself and will be doing lots more hunting all being well in the future,” added Lucy.

H&H hunting editor Polly Portwin was also thrilled by the photos that emerged from the meet.

“It must be such a thrill to ride either of these two horses with their speed, scope and general athleticism, yet alone the pride of riding one of the nation’s favourites,” she said.

“I’m delighted to see these two stars of the National Hunt scene enjoying a happy retirement on the hunting field.”

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Denman is “loving his hunting” and settling in well to his new career, his rider Charlotte Alexander has told H&H.

This season the 14-year-old has really got to grips with his new sport and is proving a popular sight on the hunting field, flying over hedges and ditches.

“He is now beginning to settle and although he does get claustrophobia in a crowd — and can then rear and leap into the air — he is becoming much more relaxed,” Charlotte said.

“He loves jumping, and in particular hedges which he flies over, and the feeling he gives me is second to none.

“I find it humbling how many people come up to me out hunting and ask if it really is Denman. They are utterly delighted to see him and particularly if he gives them a good lead over a hedge. He has a huge amount of fans.”

[Continued below]

Denman’s diary: exercising with hounds for the first time

Open team chase rider Charlotte Alexander takes Denman hunting for the first time

She added that he is getting much more accurate over rails — which she credits her trainers Brian Hutton, Owen Moore and Anne Marie Taylor for.

The winner of the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup has made a remarkable recovery after his illness last year. Denman spent five months in equine hospital after contracting a potentially fatal blood and bone infection. But now he’s back to his old self.

“A year ago I never thought that Denman would be able to do what he is doing now,” added Charlotte.

“He has taken ages to build up strength and muscle and he is now progressing in leaps and bounds. He is such a happy horse and it is incredible that he is able to leap across the country as he does. He is like a spitfire, quick, exciting and beautiful.”

All being well Denman is shortly due to return to Ditcheat in Somerset to have a day’s hunting from his old home. Charlotte is looking forward to Denman’s former trainer Paul Nicholls seeing the horse’s progress in his second career.

“I can’t wait,” she said. “I am such a lucky girl to be able to ride a horse as incredible as Denman. He is exhilarating.”

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From time to time you have that moment when you spot someone completely out of context and can’t put a name to their face. It’s that teacher in the supermarket situation.

In an equestrian context, it may have happened to you on the hunting field — but with a horse rather than a rider. Some of our biggest equine heroes — from a double Badminton winner to a four-time Cheltenham World Hurdle winner — have taken to hunting in their retirement.

Equine superstars who’ve hunted in their retirement

1. Lenamore, eventing

The 21-year-old former eventer has been spotted out autumn hunting with the Warwickshire. “Everyone thought I was completely bonkers, but he was actually very well behaved,” said owner Lexi Jackson. “He loved it!”

2. Denman, racing

The 2008 Gold Cup winner has had a second lease of life hunting and team chasing under Charlotte Alexander. Denman had a life-threatening blood and bone infection in October 2012, but has since found a new career on the hunting field.

3. Supreme Rock, eventing

Pippa Funnell’s double Badminton winner was still seen out with the Grafton at the age of 24. A visitor famously once told his owner Emma Pitt that she should “try eventing him”.

4. Big Buck’s, racing

Andy Stewart’s four-time Cheltenham World Hurdle winner, who retired last season, was out autumn hunting with Lucy Tucker last month.

5. Little Tiger, eventing

Phoebe Buckley’s 14.3hh Little Tiger spent her life after eventing hunting and team chasing, having been retired at the age of 16. The gutsy mare even came third in the Melton Hunt Ride in 2012.

Don’t miss this week’s special hunting issue of Horse & Hound magazine (23 October 2014), featuring our complete hunt directory, a look at modern and traditional hunting gear and the true cost of keeping a hunter

Never been hunting but would love to have a go? Take a look at our guide for beginners

Have you spotted any famous horses out hunting? Let us know below…

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Charlotte Alexander has told H&H she is “so thrilled” after Denman competed in his 1^st team chase at the weekend.

The pair took part in the novice at the Worcester team chase on Sunday (23 March).

“He was marvellous,” Charlotte said of the former National Hunt hero.

“I slotted him in at the back so he could have a lead, and he popped round like an old pro. Even the more tricky combinations he managed very easily. I’m the happiest girl in the world.”

Denman is now back in good health following a life-threatening blood and bone infection, which led him to spend 5 months in equine hospital last year.

“He is having such fun, which is well-deserved after everything he went through,” she added.

Denman recently demonstrated just how “well” he was feeling during parades at Newbury racecourse and at the Cheltenham Festival (pictured below).

“I was worried he was going to hook it [at the team chase] after all his exciting parades, but he was really good,” said Charlotte. “With the help of a combination noseband that stops him crossing his jaw, he was totally under control, although he does like to jump at speed!”

Team chase photos by Mike Freeman

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Denman is back in full training for hunting and team chasing, following his life-threatening infection last year.

Rider Charlotte Alexander has been putting the 14-year-old through his paces and even sent him off for a session with eventer Mike Jackson.

“We did grids and poles and really just got Mike to see what we have got to work with,” she said.

And although you won’t be seeing him at an event any time soon, Mike thought Denman had potential.

“Mike rode him and said if he was a 4-year-old, he would be a Badminton horse,” added Charlotte.

“He thought Denman’s canter was great and there is a lot we can do to help him. I want to be able to jump gates and upright park railings out hunting.”

Denman also took part in a parade of ex-racehorses on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival (11 March) with other former heroes, including his old stablemate Kauto Star.

“He was on fire at Cheltenham and loved galloping up the track ” said Charlotte.

“He is feeling very well at the moment and he knew he was back at Cheltenham. I really did have my hands full!”

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Gold Cup winners Kauto Star and Denman headed a star-studded parade of former racehorses on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival (11 March).

The former stable mates from Paul Nicholls’ yard received a huge reception from the Cheltenham crowd.

Kauto Star is now being trained as a dressage horse by eventer Laura Collett and Denman has been introduced to hunting and team chasing by Charlotte Alexander.

Denman suffered a life-threatening bone and blood infection last year and spent 5 months in an equine hospital, but he has now made a full recovery and Charlotte looked to have her hands full.

The parade was the first of this year’s Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades, which were introduced in 2008 and are now an established part of major jump racing festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, as well as Ascot’s King George Day in July.

“There was a real buzz around the parade ring, with owners and trainers also thrilled to see their horses looking so well and enjoying life after racing,” said RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot.

“We are delighted with the response from racing audiences and the increasing popularity of these parades, they are now very much part of the major festivals’ calendar.”

Other former racehorses who also took part in the parade were:

• BLAZING BAILEY (Hunting) – Sarah Welford
• CRYSTAL D’AINAY (Team Chase/Hunter Trials) – Charlotte Burke
• MONKERHOSTIN (Hunting) – George Beilby
• BARBER’S SHOP (Showing) – Katie Jerram
• MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (Hunting) – Tracey Phillips
• LIGHTENING STRIKE (Hunting) – Sharon Francis
• DEEP REFLECTION (Showing) – Helen Newbold
• ASHKAZAR (Hunting) – Verity Murphy 

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A “fresh” Denman has been out hunting for the first time since his life-threatening illness last year.

Rider Charlotte Alexander took the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner out with the North Cotswold on Saturday (1 March).

“He was so pleased to be out, although he was rather high spirited — as can only be expected in any horse having its first day’s hunting after a break,” Charlotte told H&H.

“He jumped a couple of sets of rails and a wall and thoroughly enjoyed seeing hounds again.”

Denman spent 5 months in equine hospital last year, after contracting a potentially fatal blood and bone infection.

“Who would have thought 6 months ago that this was ever going to happen?” Charlotte added. “I am over the moon.”

Denman will be taking part in a parade of ex-racehorses, alongside his old stablemate Kauto Star, at the Cheltenham Festival (Tuesday 11 March).

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Gold Cup winners Kauto Star and Denman will head a star-studded parade of former racehorses at the Cheltenham Festival next month (11 March).

This is the first of this year’s Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades, which were introduced in 2008 and are now an established part of major jump racing festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, as well as Ascot’s King George Day in July.

RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot said that it is a “fantastic way to showcase in front of racing audiences the versatility of the racehorse”.

“[Parades] provide people with the chance to see their old favourites [and] also show the adaptability of former racehorses, including those who may not have such a distinguished racing career but are now excelling in a new discipline,” she said.

Ms Arbuthnot says the mix of horses is an essential element in the success of the parades.

“Horse of the Year Show winner Deep Reflection will parade alongside festival stalwarts like Monkerhostin and Blazing Bailey, who are now enjoying a more relaxed life hunting and hacking away from the limelight,” she said.

“The parades show how former horses can make the most rewarding animals to retrain for second careers, and offer a snapshot of their new skills, whether competing in showing, showjumping, eventing, polo, endurance, dressage or simply as a hunter or hack.”

Besides the 2 former Paul Nicholls stars, Blazing Bailey, Crystal D’Ainay, Monkerhostin, Barbers Shop (below), Miko De Beauchene, Lightning Strike, Deep Reflection and Ashkazar will line up.

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Denman and Sprinter Sacre received a warm welcome when they paraded for their fans at Newbury on Saturday (8 February).

For Denman it was a first outing since his life-threatening bone and blood infection last year.

Meanwhile Sprinter Sacre was there wearing a heart monitor, as a trial racecourse trip following his heart problems that were diagnosed at Kempton in December.

“Denman was in terrific form,” said rider Charlotte Alexander. “He was very pleased that it was him that was going in the trailer this weekend as he’s always been left behind when I am going hunting.

“The parade went well before the first race although the photographers wanted a photo of Sprinter Sacre and Denman together. Denman is not one for waiting so got slightly impatient and had a bit of a rear.”

Denman was certainly full of life as he lead the runners down to the start before the Betfair Denman Chase — a race he won in 2008.

“He was on his toes for the ridden parade and felt really well,” added Charlotte.

“He did rear and whip round when we were leading the runners in front of the stand and luckily I didn’t fall off!

“We then galloped back in front of the stands and the crowd roared. Denman absolutely loved it. It is so amazing that he was there after everything he has been through.”

The Betfair Denman Chase was won by the Kim Bailey-trained Harry Topper, ridden by Jason Maguire. The horse had earlier in the season benefitted from jumps training from eventer Chris King.

Julian Thick, of The Racecourse Newbury, added: “It was a wonderful experience for our racegoers to see Denman and Sprinter Sacre walk around the parade ring and my thanks go to Charlotte Alexander, who looks after Denman, for bringing the great warrior along.”

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Denman and Sprinter Sacre are to parade at Newbury this Saturday (8 February).

It will be a first public appearance for Denman since his illness. In October it was revealed that the popular ex-racehorse had spent 5 months in equine hospital, battling a “life-threatening” bone and blood infection.

“It is a complete miracle that Denman is able to be at Newbury,” his rider Charlotte Alexander told H&H.

“It will be his first outing since his problems started last April, and I am expecting him to be very much on his toes!

And Sprinter Sacre (pictured below) will also be there — wearing his heart monitor — as he continues his rehabilitation. The Champion Chase winner was pulled up at Kempton in December due to an irregular heartbeat.

“The whole purpose of the exercise is to give him a racecourse outing which doesn’t bring back bad memories of what happened at Kempton,” said trainer Nicky Henderson.

“He’ll be wearing his heart monitor, which he wears constantly anyway, and he will parade around the paddock with Denman. They’ll make a nice double act!

“Hopefully he’ll come back with a bit of a spring in his step.”

Later on, at around 2.15pm, Denman and rider Charlotte Alexander will lead the runners down the track and canter back in front of the stands (pictured top) before the race named in his honour — the Betfair Denman Chase.

“He loved it last year when everyone started clapping and cheering,” added Charlotte.

“This year I hope there will be an enormous cheer for him as he has fought so hard to recover from conditions that most horses would not have come through.

“He is a true legend and there are not many horses as brave and wonderful as he is.”

The 14-year-old retired in 2011 due to a tendon injury and was then introduced to hunting, as documented by Charlotte in her H&H blog.

Denman won the Grade 2 Aon Chase at Newbury in 2008 and the race was named after him in 2012 when Betfair took over sponsorship.

Richard Osgood, clerk of the course at The Racecourse Newbury, added: “It’s going to be a wonderful opportunity for racegoers to see 2 of the finest racehorses of the modern era.”

There will also be a competition on the day for 2 people to meet Denman. It will be in the racecard and entrants will have to answer some quiz questions on Denman.

This year’s Denman Chase will be run at 2.25pm and will be shown on Channel 4.

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Popular ex-racehorse Denman is in “terrific form” and is back being ridden by Charlotte Alexander.

It was revealed in October that the National Hunt hero had “been at death’s door” following a life-threatening blood and bone infection.

He spent 5 months in Newmarket Equine Hospital before returning to Charlotte’s yard in Gloucestershire.

But now Charlotte, who used to write Denman’s Diary for the H&H website, said he’s back on track.

“Following the go ahead from Ian Wright [of Newmarket Equine Hospital] to start ridden work, he felt his old self and was very much on his toes,” she told H&H.

“I hope he will be fit enough to hunt in March before the season finishes — if we don’t have too many freeze ups.”

Denman, who won the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup was retired in 2011 due to a tendon injury. He was enjoying his first season hunting last year, before he became ill.

“This is a true miracle,” added Charlotte.

“Denman is blessed to have the combination of his wonderful owner, Paul Barber, who never gave up on him and the genius of Ian Wright, whose skill saved his life.

“Let us hope he continues to progress and can resume a full and active career competing and hunting in the future.”

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Madison Du Berlais, winner of the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup, has died of colic.

The gelding, by Indian River, was 12 years old. He was trained by David Pipe and was one of the first horses to beat Denman.

Winner of the 2008 Hennessy ahead of Air Force One, Madison Du Berlais went on to defeat Denman in the Levy Board Chase at Kempton in 2009 before winning the Totesport Bowl Chase at Aintree in the same year.

He was retired in 2011 after winning 10 of 51 starts.

Trainer David Pipe posted on his website yesterday (Monday 2 December): “Sadly one old friend of Newbury is no longer with us.

“Madison was a great favourite in the yard and we enjoyed many happy times with him since buying him from a French claimer.

“His 2008/9 season in particular was stellar with memorable victories not only in Newbury’s showpiece, but also at Kempton (where he demolished Denman) and Aintree.

“He was retired from racing after his final run in December 2011 and had been enjoying himself competing in dressage.”

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Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman is recovering from a “life-threatening” infection.

Owner Paul Barber told the BBC the popular chaser spent 5 months in hospital, but is now back home with rider Charlotte Alexander.

The 13-year-old retired in 2011 due to a tendon injury and spent last season being introduced to hunting and team chasing by Charlotte, as documented in her H&H blog.

But after contracting a potentially fatal bone, and then blood, infection, Paul said Denman’s situation had been “touch and go” for a while.

“As you can imagine it has been a real worry. It was an extremely unique case and it is entirely due to Ian Wright and his team of Newmarket Equine Hospital that Denman is on the road to recovery,” Charlotte told H&H.

“It was difficult being so far away, but a friend who works in Nemarket would take him carrots for me every week and reported back on his well-being.”

And she said Denman was feeling well now he’s back home in Gloucestershire.

She added: “He’s being hugely naughty and biting me — he’s very cheeky!”

For more about Denman’s health, and Charlotte’s plans for him this season, see next week’s issue of H&H (31 October).

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It has been a year since Denman came to me from top National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls’ yard. It has been terrific having him: he is such a joy to look after and has learnt so much in such a short time.

Now we have completed a year, I feel it’s time to sign off his H&H diary. I will, of course, keep H&H readers up to date with any exciting news that may happen regarding the racing super star.

Denman is still enjoying his summer holiday and I am looking forward to hunting him again this season. Fingers crossed he should come back to it like a duck to water and will be very well behaved!

We will soon be exercising across the farm, through stinging nettles and over streams getting fit for the season. I will be getting him up shortly, but for the time being I have my other horses to concentrate on, who will be team chasing in a few weeks time.

These include a lovely chestnut with four white stockings and a white face from Alan King’s yard called Kahrayn (Kingy). He is smashing, quite sharp, but jumps like a buck and oozes class. He is a half brother to Kadarann, who was very successful when trained by Paul (Nicholls). Kingy will be hard to miss with all his white.

Kingy and Harlaxton (Harry), who did some pointing, will be team chasing this season. Both horses like it firm and we nearly always have firm ground in the autumn, even if they do aggregate the courses, so you need one that acts on that going. Consequently, I am not willing to risk Denman on firm ground as he is such a big horse; we will wait for the hunting season as he does take time to get fit.

One of the jobs I am about to do is to measure Denman’s summer weight. The Beaufort Christmas Fair (26 November) are running a “guess the summer holiday weight” of their celebrity horse, Denman, to raise money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

The winner will receive a 7-course taster menu cooked by the chef of Sage and Honey cookery school, in their own house (all food included, but mileage applies) and she will even do the tidying up (www.beaufortchristmasfair.com).

Denman is such a wonderful horse: so brave and full of character. It has been lovely to share his re-training with the readers of Horse & Hound this past year. I hope that all riders who have the chance to ride ex-racehorses have as much fun with theirs as I do with mine.

Charlotte

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The spring team chase season was a disaster as far as the weather was concerned and I only managed to run Denman in one before losing our lead rider to London Marathon preparations. Everything was postponed and all the organisers did a fantastic job in rearranging their dates, stewards, fence judges and course-builders to accommodate us at all.

The team chase we did get to was the Berks and Bucks at Kingsclere. The Baldings did an excellent job on the course. It is up a hill, round some trees and then down a steep hill to the finish. Denman was super up the hill, particularly agile jumping through the trees and then got a little strong with me going down the hill. In our excitement we committed the cardinal sin of overtaking our lead rider. However, we got back in to position and finished our first team chase together with a huge grin on both our faces.

To cap the day, Clare and Emma Balding came and said hello to Denman. I have just read Clare’s book My Animals and Other Family — it is a delightful read and much recommended. I am a huge fan of Clare’s and her coverage of the Olympics, after which she deservedly won a BAFTA, was second to none.

After Highclere we had to stand down Andrew Shipley (our lead rider), so he did not injure himself prior to the London Marathon and I decided to rough Denman off. Andrew ran the marathon for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance in memory of Jo Rugman, our former team-mate. He raised in the region of £5,000, which is wonderful. I’m so proud of Andrew — I could never run in the Marathon and think it really is an amazing achievement for anyone who does it.

One to watch in the future is Tom Symonds, who is a talented National Hunt trainer. He ran the marathon in 2hr38min and finished 138th out of about 37,000 runners. His horses are certainly ones to watch if he has been training up the same gallop. What an impressive first run for a non-professional runner.

The horses are now out in their summer quarters, which is a huge field with some lovely horse chestnut trees. It’s just like a Herring picture of the horses standing under the trees. However, they still have their winter rugs on as it is rather cold and the grass took ages to grow, so I have only just got them out at night.

So we are all looking forward to having some time off now. Have a happy summer everyone!

Charlotte

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The hunting season is now over for Denman. Many packs have stopped anyway and because of team chasing I rarely hunt after 1 March, when the Duke of Beaufort’s have their final fling before they go up into the hills.

He came out for his final day and was superb. I am utterly thrilled with how he’s taken to hunting — it shouldn’t take long to get him back into the swing of things next season.

The recent weather has been so temperamental. However, the ground did dry up a bit before the Cheltenham Festival, so we were able to go cross-country schooling round the course at Calmsden Eventing, which is just up the road from me.

Sharon Robbins and Joe Stevenson, who ride in my team (A&E Lycetts; A Class Act), came over with their horses so we could have a practice. Steve Dennis from the Racing Post came to watch Denman in action, schooling for team chasing.

Sharon gave us a lovely lead and we practised our turns jumping an S bend of hedges, some with drops. We also practised jumping into water and over island fences. Denman was great — initially he was a little cautious jumping down steps, but he soon got the hang of it. His turns were so good and he was beautifully balanced. The flat work is paying off!

I had him in a snaffle and he didn’t get too strong, although occasionally he did take hold of the bit and fly into a fence, which was amazing. He is so fluent and careful, yet incredibly economical and was very keen to have a go. I will put my hunting bridle on for our first run team chasing as the tannoys and competition environment will no doubt excite him. Earthmover never showed much schooling, but was a completely different horse at a competition — he pulled like a train!

I was lucky to be at the Cheltenham Festival all four days. Denman and I were asked to parade for RoR on the Tuesday — something I have done numerous times in the past with Earthmover. We parade (ridden) before the first race and give the horses a breeze up in front of the stands.

Denman led the parade and was totally unfazed by what was going on. He was obviously on his toes, but couldn’t quite understand what was going on. He knew he was at Cheltenham, but with me riding him he knew he wasn’t racing! Everyone clapped him as he went past and he knew he was “king” — the roar from the stands when he galloped past was wonderful.

After the parade he was tucked up in his box in the RDA Centre, away from the course, eating his hay while I enjoyed the racing. Cheltenham did ask me to parade him in-hand with Kauto Star before the Gold Cup last Friday, but I slightly lost my nerve as Denman was very feisty in-hand at Newbury and I was terrified I’d lose him on the course and see him charging off behind the runners! He’s a big horse to hold when in-hand and I remember him getting away from Paul’s team when he was paraded at Sandown a couple of years ago.

Cheltenham was wonderful as always — to see the most beautiful horses at their best is such a treat. However, my thoughts go to JT McNamara and his family.

Charlotte

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It’s been snow, snow and more snow in the Cotswolds! There was no hunting for a couple of weeks and the horses enjoyed a well-earned break. They were turned out everyday and played in the snow, but as the road outside my yard was an ice rink for two weeks, I couldn’t get them out on exercise.

It did them all good and I’ve managed to put some extra condition on Denman. He’s now on a higher protein conditioning cube, which Harry Meade recommended. I wanted something that wouldn’t blow his brain, and so far so good — our first day back on the hunting field wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it might be.

I was thrilled that after nearly three weeks without hunting, Denman was incredibly well behaved and hadn’t regressed in his excitability on our return. He queued well and jumped lots of rails and walls. Thanks to the training and pole work we’ve been doing with Harry, I now have so much more confidence in tackling upright fences.

Parading at Newbury

Last Saturday was the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury. Betfair and Newbury asked whether we would parade there, so off we went in the snow. We were one of the first to arrive and parked alongside the smart red boxes from Paul Nicholls’ yard. It was wonderful to see Donna Blake, who used to ride both Earthmover and Denman at Paul’s yard. The girls all loved seeing Denman, who thought he might be going hunting initially!

Newbury photos by Tracy Roberts www.turfpix.com

I had various interviews with BBC Radio Berkshire, Racing UK and in the paddock while my friend Hayley led Denman round before the racing started. Clare Balding also came to interview Denman. I’m reading her book at the moment (My Animals and Other Family) and I’m a huge fan.

I found the interviews seriously nerve-wracking, but after the first one with Racing UK, Richard from Betfair took Mum and I up to their box for a quick glass of bubbly which helped calm the nerves for the rest of the day. Newbury couldn’t have looked after us better.

Then it was time for Denman to parade in front of the stands so I hopped on board. When we were walking round the pre-parade ring lots of people came down to see him. We walked past the stands, the runners went down to the start and then I turned Denman round and breezed back past the crowd.

Denman clearly loved it and was so good. The roar that went up from the stands and the clapping brought a tear to my eye. He showed his fans he’s fit, well and having fun — and I managed to pull up by the exit without any problems. I had put his hunting bridle on as there isn’t much room beyond the winning post!

And as soon as we’d finished he went back to happily munching his hay as if nothing special had happened.

It was lovely to meet Denman’s owners Paul and Marianne Barber, who had not seen him since he left Ditcheat. They were so delighted to see him looking so well and happy in his new life.

Training on TV

The following day I took him for another lesson with Harry Meade. The weather was appalling again, so Harry kindly organised for us to use a friend’s indoor school. BBC Points West came to film for a feature they will be putting on during Cheltenham week, so keep an eye out for that.

I love these sessions with Harry, teaching Denman to jump in a different style that he needs for tackling gates and uprights out hunting.

Denman could do no wrong all weekend and he had his ears pricked the whole time, enjoying every minute. Now I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the snow will disappear so we can get out hunting at Saturday.

Charlotte

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Denman is to parade at Newbury racecourse at the weekend.

The star of H&H blog “Denman’s Diary” is to show off to his fans before racing on Betfair Super Saturday (9 February) at the Berkshire track.

Denman won at Newbury five times during his racing career — including two Hennessy Gold Cups.

It will be the first time he has appeared in public on a racecourse since his retirement. He now spends his time hunting with Charlotte Alexander in Gloucestershire.

“It will be lovely to see Paul Nicholls and [Denman’s owner] Paul Barber at Newbury,” Charlotte told H&H.

“I’m going to be riding him as I think it will be easier as I will have more control then. I think the plan is to parade in ring then go up past the stands.

“Denman is in great form and feeling quite fresh having had a couple of weeks off with the snow. As he has now settled in the crowds out hunting I should think he will be very well behaved doing his parade.”

One of the highlights of the day is the Betfair Denman (Aon) Chase.

“Our racegoers will be delighted to see Denman at Newbury again,” said Newbury’s Stephen Higgins. “He won five of his seven races here and was always so popular. I’m sure he’ll be given a very warm welcome on his return.”

For more information visit: www.racecoursenewbury.co.uk

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It’s been all go over Christmas and into 2013. We’ve had some lovely days hunting including the Duke of Beaufort’s Boxing Day meet and Denman’s first day visiting — with the South and West Wilts.

The meet was on the Fonthill Estate and it was stunning, with lots of little fences to pop over. Denman was amazing as he hasn’t been out first horses much (I tend to take him out at second horses) — I was thrilled with how much calmer he was.

I also managed to fit in a lesson with eventer Harry Meade (pictured right and below), which was brilliant. Harry is a huge fan of “The Tank”, so it was lovely to get them together. We wanted to concentrate on some pole work to help Denman with jumping uprights. Paul Nicholls, Dan Skelton and Clifford Baker have done a wonderful job with his jumping over the years, but a different technique is needed for tackling uprights such as hunt rails and stone walls.

Harry was so pleased with Denman’s attitude towards the exercises. I couldn’t believe how quickly he picked everything up and how clever he was. He really showed how athletic and light across the ground he is.

Harry rode him brilliantly, too, and it was amazing to watch him being schooled by a real pro. He looked like a four-star eventer with Harry in the plate!

There were a few pointers to my riding as well! I was taught old-school — hold on to the neckstrap, grip with the knees and kick. Now it is all about not gripping with your knees, but I hope I am getting there.

Lily Meade (aged one), who’d recently sat on Laura Bechtolsheimer’s Olympic gold medal-winning horse Mistral Hojris, also had a little sit on Denman. Although judging by her reaction I think she prefers dressage! Den just stood there while Lily sat on him and the Meades’ lurchers raced around the arena. I will definitely be back for more lessons as Harry is a brilliant teacher.

On Sunday, Channel 4 Morning Line came to film Den for a feature his former jockey Sam Thomas is presenting. Samantha Sandberg very kindly opened the cross-country course at Lyneham Heath Equestrian and let us use the wonderful facilities for filming.

I was so nervous as Den hadn’t been there before and I wasn’t sure how he would go in cold blood. He was incredible considering he hasn’t seen proper event fences before. With a lead he jumped over a coffin, roll tops and into the water complex. The only thing he wasn’t too keen on were skinnies, but we can work on these. You don’t get many stand-alone narrow fences hunting or team chasing.

Sam had a sit on Den and it was lovely to reunite them as he provided probably the best wins of Sam’s career as a jockey. He was thrilled to see Den looking so happy and enjoying his retirement.

I ended up rather enjoying myself, too, as I had the chance to jump the great hedges at Lyneham and Den showed me just how good he is. He flew the hedges like nothing I have ever sat on before — what a feeling. I kept whooping in sheer pleasure. I had a sound recorder in my jacket pocket, so the poor CH4 soundman must have had his ears blown out with my whoops of joy!

What a horse and this is still early stages in his retraining. I keep imagining what he will be like in a couple of years’ time — wow!

I hope you all have a very happy new year.

Charlotte

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What an amazing day I had on Denman last weekend. The penny’s definitely beginning to drop — he is getting so much more relaxed and settled each time he goes out hunting.

He liked the Dutch gag and I had no braking issues riding him mainly off the snaffle rein. He is still coming out second horses when there are less people, but he is learning to queue more quietly when going through gateways and is standing better when waiting.

We had a lovely run across “The Diddle” and jumped three hedges. The first one, with a ditch in front, he took a little low, but this is a hazard of ex-racehorses. The second hedge had a rail each side, which he soared over and nearly jumped me off! Then we went off to catch a loose horse and on returning jumped the third hedge on our own without a lead. He did an enormous leap, but being a little green I have to expect that from time to time.

Racehorses are used to having orange guard rails at the base of fences on the track, so most have not seen plain natural hedges before and it takes a bit of time for them to get it right. Like a young horse, Denman is proving to be very bold. They were not small hedges — he measured them well and did not rush in.

He didn’t hot up, either. Earthmover was always quite tricky once he’d jumped a few hedges as he raked and yawed for the rest of the day. So far, Denman hasn’t done that and has a lovely mouth. He’s really enjoying himself, and so am I.

I may be able to increase his feed soon as he is currently on pony nuts, Alfa A and Protexin Gut Balancer (my secret weapon), which really helps maintain the condition. After hunting I also give him the Protexin Recover Aid.

I visited Charlie Langton (www.charlielangtonart.com) in his studio the other day, which was a huge treat. He’s currently working on a large bronze of Galileo for Coolmore Stud. It’s fascinating to see how these bronzes are produced and how many measurements he takes.

Charlie is very talented and did the lovely bronze of Yeats, which stands in the paddock at Ascot. He really manages to capture the character of the horses as he spends so much time with them. Newbury racecourse holds the Denman Chase — maybe one day there could be a bronze of Den there?!

Denman wishes you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and hopes to be doing lots of hunting over the Christmas break.

Charlotte

Photos courtesy of TTL Videos

See more pictures of Denman out hunting with the Duke of Beaufort’s

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Denman has been settling into his hunting. We’ve been out with the Duke of Beaufort’s as much as possible — usually once a week, sometimes twice — although the frozen ground stopped any plans we had this week.

I’ve started introducing more jumping now he is calmer and doesn’t find it so exciting. He’s jumped a few more little walls (see photo below, courtesy of TTL videos), and the other day we jumped three hedges in a row and I could pull up with no problems at the end. I was particularly impressed when Denman jumped a single strand of white tape. He popped it like a showjump and I was so excited — little things like that are very encouraging.

He still finds queuing for gateways slightly frustrating and can have the odd rear, but people are so kind, giving him space and letting him through if he gets too hot. He gets treated like royalty!

His mud fever is so much better now, which is a great relief. It has probably been the worst season for introducing a horse to hunting in the mud, as there is so much of it.

I was told about a brilliant cream that my vets (Bourton Vale) supply — it knocked the mud fever on the head. I now just use aloe vera gel. He no longer hunts in boots — except for knee boots in case he hits a wall — as the water and mud went down them and rubbed his legs.

Before hunting I smother his fetlocks and pasterns in zinc and castor oil and his tummy in pig oil. The recent cold snap has also helped, as the fields aren’t muddy when they’re turned out.

In terms of bitting, I’ve been hunting Den in an American gag with two reins and a combination noseband. I think it’s now a little too strong for him, so I’m going to downgrade to a Dutch (three-ring) gag with two reins.

The reason I had him well bitted was so he didn’t learn to get away from me. Once they’ve run through the bridle, they have little or no respect for you and I wanted to make sure we got off to a good start. He had to learn to stop when I asked him to and not to mow down children on their ponies. I can now ride him with a softer contact, but will keep him in the combination noseband because he does cross his jaw.

My mother saw Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton at Taunton racecourse yesterday (13 December). They are always delighted to hear about Den’s progress.

We were pleased to see Roger and Catherine Penny in the winner’s enclosure with their horse Buck’s Bond, who is related to Big Buck’s and trained by Paul. They owned my horse Earthmover, who died earlier this year (see H&H’s review of the year, 6 December issue), and, like Den’s owners the Barbers, were hugely supportive.

I’ve exercised Denman this morning and he is now keeping nice and dry in his stable before hunting again tomorrow.

Charlotte

See more pictures of Denman out hunting with the Duke of Beaufort’s

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It’s been a very busy couple of weeks during which Denman has come on no end.

The weekend before last I met up with some friends and took Denman to the Cotswold Farm Park fun ride. We set off with a couple of other grown-ups and about five little ponies (see picture below) and he was unbelievably good. He jumped absolutely everything and was, as I expected, much better over the slightly bigger fences.

He went in front, behind and in the middle and loved it. He didn’t race off and was quite content to jump logs with all the little ponies in front. We went down tracks, through woods and over rivers. We stopped to have hip flask breaks, for the children to swap ponies and he stood — although he does have a time limit of about 10min before he says ‘lets go’! It was all excellent training for hunting.

I can’t tell you how pleased I was. Denman was bold and honest and wasn’t going to stop or run out at anything — even a very skinny skinny. He’s a clever horse and fiddled anything he wasn’t sure about. Before too long he was looking for the fences and really wanting to jump them.

Towards the end he did a couple of fly leaps when I thought he’d done enough and the children went off to jump a line of fences. But he soon calmed down and walked home on a long rein.

The other highlight for me was when Adam Henson (pictured right), the BBC Countryfile presenter who owns the farm park, came out to met Denman. Adam is a keen racing man (he is the face of Ladies Day at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival) and I was thrilled to meet him as I’m a big fan!

After such a brilliant weekend I took Denman hunting with the Duke of Beaufort’s on Wednesday and Saturday. He was good on Wednesday and behaved even better on Saturday. He tried to tank off once and the steering went a little, but I managed to get him back quickly and all was well.

As you can see from the photo (below, courtesy of TTL videos), he jumped his first hedge on Saturday. He was also very impressive when popping over a deep dug out ditch on to the road. I was slightly nervous he was might slip over, but he was so sensible. He seems to be careful, which is wonderful as often when they come off the track they are not great at where they put their feet — they haven’t had to contend with tussocks etc.

Even though I jumped the hedge and some park railings (once the top rail had been broken), I won’t be introducing too much more jumping until his brain has accepted hunting. I don’t think it’ll be too long — sometimes it’s as if he’s been hunting all his life.

I really am pleased with how good he is to deal with and sort out afterwards. He does not “hunt” round his box once we get home and eats properly. However, I’m conscious that there is often an explosion around day five or six with horses hunting for the first time, once they understand more about what is going on, so time will tell! I am going to take him out again on Saturday.

As with most horses that are new to the country, Denman’s reacted to the Beaufort mud — not helped by the fact that on Wednesday we went through some pretty horrid slurry. However, he’s much better now after some antibiotics and isn’t lame. They have to build up a resistance to the different ground and mud types.

Mum’s keeping a close eye on me to make sure I keep things relatively quiet with him so he learns properly. It’s very easy to get excited as I’m enjoying him so much, but I know that groundwork done now will pay dividends in the future.

Charlotte

See more pictures of Denman out hunting with the Duke of Beaufort’s

Find out how other top horses are enjoying their retirement in Horse & Hound magazine’s exclusive feature, on sale Thursday 22 November

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Last weekend I bit the bullet and took Denman exercising… via hounds. The Duke of Beaufort’s were meeting very close to my friend Peg Livingston-Learmonth, where Denman visited to start his fitness work on her horsewalker.

I told no one (except the Barbers and Paul Nicholls) that I would be taking him out, and we parked well away from second horses and hacked to meet them. There were only about 10 people out, which was perfect.

Considering he hasn’t been out with hounds, he was really very good. There were a few fly leaps here and there, but that’s to be expected as this is so far removed from anything he’s been used to.

He’s a typical hot red head and was slightly feisty, but far better than I had dared to hope. At times, he stood very well and at other times he would have a fidget and dig. But the good thing is he kept his head.

There was nothing on offer to jump, so we didn’t leave the ground. If there’d been anything small that needed jumping we’d have done that, but this season is not going to be about flying over big hedges. We know he can gallop and jump, so my job is to take it very slowly and educate him about standing and settling. I want him to realise that hunting is not too exciting and not just about galloping.

I rode him in a Cheltenham gag, which worked well. I had two reins on it, so I could ride him off the snaffle rein, but had brakes if needed. I very much kept the anchors on and took it steady.

I hacked him all the way home and by the time we got back he was totally chilled. I really like that. I was able to wash him off on my own with no trouble at all. I exercised him this morning and he was pretty laid back — his little expedition hasn’t hotted him up at all.

I don’t want to get him too much fitter now, so am backing off the work a bit. He’s living out by day and in at night, which means he can stretch his legs all day. I’m just doing roadwork during the week now to keep strengthening his legs.

I don’t know how long it will take to make him and it’s still very early days, but he showed good signs. I’m glad to have his first day out under my belt — it was nerve-wracking as there was enormous pressure, but he didn’t let himself down.

Charlotte

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The past couple of weeks have been relatively quiet as we start to build up Denman’s fitness, while the other horses have been out hunting and team chasing.

His saddle is back from Sydney Free Saddlery and Sarah Stafford (pictured below) has checked his back to make sure all is well, so we can now crack on with his work.

We’ve started trotting and Denman is beginning to move really nicely – the power that’s coming from behind is wonderful. He’s learning to go forward off the leg and on the bit. He has a sensitive mouth so I’ve been trying to find a bit in which he is happy to take the contact – a rubber or plastic eggbutt snaffle seems to do the trick at the moment. However, I know I might need something stronger in his mouth once he is fitter and starts cantering!

Denman has much to learn and is doing a good job of taking it all in as we explore the countryside. He does not mind cattle, but is somewhat surprised by sheep. I’ve just started taking him over gaps in walls – the first time we tried this I had to get off and lead him as he was unsure about going through the stinging nettles. I only had to show him once, though, and now he is walking over the gaps and through the ford by the yard without hesitation.

He is great to lead off and Rival (his second best friend after Fred), who has joined them from his summer grazing, keeps him amused both in the field and on exercise. Rival is a little tyke, but is utterly wonderful, talented and the most fantastic jumper. He used to event, but was rather naughty. He is my best hunter and also team chases a bit, but he lacks the speed of a thoroughbred in open classes. Denman, Rival and Fred (pictured above) all get on like a house on fire and very happily graze together. Rival would like to think he is the boss, but Denman coolly tends to ignore him.

Before my next update, I will be introducing Denman to the school, complete with mirrors and the resident peacock (who has the most wonderful tail!), so watch this space to find out how we get on.

Charlotte

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How much do you love your favourite racehorse? We’ve seen Kauto Star tattoos and now H&H has found a child called Denman.

Maria Wynne named her son Theodore Denman after the chaser won the 2008 Gold Cup.

“I’ve always loved Denman – he’s such a big, brave warrior,” she said. “When I found out my son was due in March I was furious I’d miss Cheltenham!”

Maria was also found to have a heart condition, atrial fibrillation – the same syndrome Denman had – so spent the final two months of her pregnancy in hospital. “I was hooked up to machines cheering him on,” she said.

“I had to call my son Denman. And I’d love for him to be a jockey and see him storming up the Cheltenham hill.”

H&H contributer Martha Terry refrained from naming her son after Big Buck’s

when the hurdler won his 17th consecutive race in April.

“Watching racing during the labour helped me zone out from the pain – I was tempted to give my son the middle name Buck’s,” she said.

Will there be a run on children called Frankel next?

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (4 October 2012)

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It’s been an exciting week. I spent last Friday full of anticipation as I had so much to look forward to – autumn hound training, team chasing and, of course, my first ride on Denman.

He has been with my friend Peg Livingston-Learmonth for the past two weeks, going on the horse-walker to start off his fitness. News travels fast when there is a celebrity in town and he has had quite a few visitors drop in to admire him.

After a 4.30am start for autumn hound training with the Cotswold, I arrived at Peg’s yard for my first ride. You never know what to expect with ex-racehorses that have previously only had riders legged up, so it’s best to be prepared for anything.

Denman stood like a rock by the mounting block, before humping his back for a few seconds, which is exactly what Dan Skelton [Paul Nicholls’ assistant] said he would do. He then stood still waiting for the others to get on, and off we went around the lanes.

He was totally unfazed by the alpacas, tractors and people who stopped to ask Peg whether she had Denman in her yard. Considering he has not been ridden for nearly a year he was incredibly good. If anything he was slightly on the lazy side, which is what Paul and Dan told me to expect. I would much rather have them this way as you can always put more petrol in the tank. On the way back he started swinging in his walk and I could feel what a wonderful horse he is.

On our way home from Peg’s, I stopped in at Sydney Free Saddlers in Cirencester. I had a lovely lightweight, forward cut cross-country saddle made for Earthmover years ago and I wanted to have it re-fitted to Denman if possible. We also made a quick trip to see Tash at Bourton Vale Equine Clinic to have his teeth done (pictured left). Let’s hope I see Tash only for these routine veterinary visits!

Since getting Denman home, I’ve ridden him several times and he goes out happily on his own. He stands stock still while I get on and is striding out round the lanes. He is learning to go forward off the leg, to open and shut gates and walk across grass fields – so he accepts he does not have to gallop as soon as his toes touch grass! He is taking this all in his stride and, like a typical intelligent thoroughbred, he’s learning quickly.

He has settled in well with No More Prisoners (Fred), his new best friend. Fred is my main team chaser for our team Lycetts; A Class Act. The season is now underway and on Sunday Fred and I had a wonderful run round the Belvoir’s course at Garthorpe (pictured below).

It’s a cracking venue with lovely manicured hedges and the ground was perfect. Our lead rider Andrew Shipley, who has ridden with me for many years, was riding another ex-racehorse called Culpeppers Dish. He is the most experienced horse on the circuit and gave us all a great lead to finish second.

Fred is relatively inexperienced and I was thrilled with him. Each horse is different and his confidence has taken some time to build. Earthmover was a totally different ride and took to it immediately – all I needed to do was find suitable brakes as he was so bold. My first jump on Denman will also be hugely exciting – this will not happen for some time yet, but what an event to look forward to!

Charlotte

Read the full report from the Belvoir team chase in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, on sale 20 September 2012

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The summer holidays are over at Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard and 2008 Gold Cup winner Denman is off to begin his new career as a hunter and team chaser in the Cotswolds.

Denman travelled to his new home, at Charlotte Alexander’s yard in Gloucestershire, last week (27 August).

His best pal Kauto Star is back on the yard, while it is decided whether he’ll run again or not, but he’ll have a new neighbour for the first time in eight years – Pacha Du Polder fills Denman’s empty box.

“Denman’s already out in the field with his new best friend, my ex-racehorse Fred [NoMore Prisoners],” Charlotte told H&H. “Then he’s going to be using the horse-walker for a couple of weeks, as he hasn’t been ridden in almost a year [he was retired in December after sustaining a small tendon injury].

“He looks amazing, he travelled brilliantly – he’s a total pro and charming to deal with. And he’s already settled in, he’s so relaxed.”

Charlotte added that she intends to take things slowly with him, focusing on roadwork before taking him out hunting.

“If he takes to that, we’ll try team chasing – I’m sure he will, though coming out of racing everything’s a huge learning curve,” she said. “I think he’ll make a fabulous hunter as he’s so athletic. My plan is to run him in the open teamLycetts; A Class Act in the future.”

H&H will be following Denman’s new career with an exclusive blog by Charlotte.

• Read the first instalment of Denman’s Diary

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Hello, I’m Charlotte Alexander and I am very much looking forward to sharing the thrills, spills and excitement of Denman’s (pictured right) retraining from racehorse to hunter/team chaser.

I was absolutely bowled over when I was asked to have one of the greatest National Hunt horses of all time. I feel so honoured. Denman’s trainer Paul Nicholls also trained my wonderful horse [dual Cheltenham Foxhunter winner] Earthmover (Denis). I rode him from 2005 until he died earlier this year at the age of 21. He enjoyed an active second career team chasing and was a much-envied hunter with the Duke of Beaufort’s.

The phone call came back in March. Paul knew that Denis had died and offered me Denman to do exactly what he had done. I had always kept in touch with Paul’s office, sending them pictures and news of what Denis had achieved, so they knew exactly what an active and happy life he had enjoyed here.

I am hoping that Denman will take to hunting and team chasing. The long-term aim for this season is to run him in my open team, Lycetts; A Class Act. He will need to learn the ropes slowly and we will see how it goes on a day-to-day basis. There is no need to rush him as his new best friend, the ex-hurdler No More Prisoners (Fred), stepped up to open level at the end of last season.

Denman is currently at Peg Livingston-Learmonth’s yard near Sherston and will be spending two weeks on her horse walker to start his fitness work. She is a friend who also hunts with the Duke of Beaufort’s. When he has done this he will come back to me to begin his ridden work. He has had nearly a year off [after sustaining a small tendon injury], so it is important to get him fit properly.

I work full-time for insurance brokers Lycetts in their Marlborough office, specialising in the bloodstock insurance side of the business, and have three horses in over the winter, but keeping everything fit while I’m working is actually surprisingly easy. I just have to be organised with each horse’s exercise schedule, knowing who is being ridden on each day and what type of work it needs.

At the moment I am getting up at 5.30am and riding out before work – sometimes I ride and lead, other times I do grid work, schooling or fast work. I can ride before/after work in the spring and summer, so I normally get the horses team chase fit by the end of August before the light goes. Once they are competing/hunting regularly they do not need so much work as they all get turned out daily unless the weather is appalling. At weekends I ride them all individually and that is when I go cross-country schooling – usually to Lyneham Heath Equestrian Centre.

Denman will be doing a lot of flatwork, grids and cross-country schooling once he has done his initial fitness work, before he goes hunting. He will also have to learn little things like being tied up to the trailer to be washed off and getting used to me hopping on from the ground (there’s no-one to give me a leg up).

He really is the most beautiful horse with a lovely eye and fantastic conformation – wonderful shoulder, length of neck, jumping bum and a great big chest. I am so looking forward to taking “The Tank” out hunting and flying over some hedges. I expect he will be utterly amazing and what an adrenalin trip that will be!

Charlotte

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Groom Lucinda Gould tells H&H about the Gold Cup winner known by fans as ‘The Tank’.

Fact file

Name: Denman

Stable name: Den or Big D

Age: 12

Height: 17.2hh

Breed: thoroughbred

Sire: Presenting

Dam: Polly Puttens

Discipline: National Hunt racing

Owner: Paul Barber

Trainer: Paul Nicholls

Groom: Lucinda Gould

Best ever result: winner of the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Five things you didn’t know

1 He was successful on the Irish point-to-pointing scene before coming over to Britain.

2 Ruby Walsh has won on him the most – six races – but he was ridden to victory in the 2008 Gold Cup by Sam Thomas.

3 He had surgery for an irregular heartbeat in September 2008 and was back in winning form the next season, when he took the 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup carrying 11st 12lb.

4 Boxer David Haye once said of the horse: “I looked into Denman’s

eyes and saw the steely determination of a champion, and he reminded me of me.”

5 In March 2008 two million people tuned in to Channel 4 to see the Cheltenham showdown between Denman and Kauto Star – more than double the number who watched Kauto win in 2007.

To read the full interview with Lucinda Gould see the 31 May issue of H&H