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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Long Run, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and two King George VI Chases, has been retired from racing aged 11.

The gelding is owned by Robert Waley-Cohen and was ridden in the majority of his races by the owner’s son Sam Waley-Cohen. He ran to Gold Cup victory in 2011 under the amateur jockey — fending off the former Paul Nicholls-trained duo Denman and Kauto Star.

The decision was made to retire the son of Cadoudal after he finished fifth in a hunter chase at Carlise on Sunday (20 March). It was his comeback run after sustaining an injury on his way back from racing in France in May 2014.

“That’s it for Long Run now. We’ll find something else for him to do. He’s been a wonderful horse, I’ve had him since was a three-year-old and he’s given us some fantastic moments,” said Robert.

Long Run was initially aimed at this year’s Cheltenham Foxhunter before a setback in January saw hopes divert towards the Grand National at Aintree. Sunday’s race was considered a trial run ahead of the Liverpool showcase — but his disappointing run prompted connections to call it a day on his illustrious racing career.

Under Sam, the French-bred gelding triumphed in two King George VI Chases at Kempton in 2011 and 2012.

He amassed 15 victories since starting his career in France in 2008 — including six Grade One contests. His total earnings were in excess of £1.5 million.

It has not yet been confirmed what Long Run will be doing during his retirement.

Continued below…

Sam Waley-Cohen wins the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Long Run wins second King George VI Chase

Former Grand National runner to go eventing

Meanwhile, following the Carlisle race, Long Run’s jockey Sam received a controversial seven-day suspension for easing up on the gelding during the run-in. He has announced he will appeal against the ban which rules him out of the Aintree Fox Hunters in April — a race the jockey has won three times.

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Long Run and Sam Waley-Cohen have regained their Kempton crown, claiming their second King George VI Chase win.

The pair pipped the Philip Hobbs-trained Captain Chris to the post, taking the race by just a neck in a thrilling finish this afternoon (Wednesday 26 December).

Long Run, trained by Nicky Henderson, set off the 15-8 favourite of the Grade 1 race.

Despite a couple of jumping mistakes on the way round, the seven-year-old dug deep in stamina sapping conditions to win.

The heavy ground made for a testing battle in the closing stages of the race and a mighty leap by Captain Chris at the last landed the 16-1 shot temporarily in front under Richard Johnson, before he was caught on the line by the favourite.

Seven-year-old grey Grands Crus, trained by David Pipe, finished 14 lengths back in third with Tom Scudamore. Martin Keighley’s Champion Court, who travelled well throughout the race before tiring on the way home, finished fourth.

“He was so brave,” said Sam Waley-Cohen. “I had to keep asking him and I asked him early and perhaps too much as he was so tired and so brave. It means so much to us, this is why we do it. I can’t put it into words — it’s so special. It’s an honour and a pleasure.”

Sam’s father, and Long Run’s owner, Robert Waley-Cohen, added: “We’ve had such fun with him, he’s been wonderful to us. I wasn’t absolutely sure he’d got up to start with, but it’s fantastic.”

It was the second win of the day for amateur jockey Sam, who also won aboard the Nicky Henderson-trained Rajdhani Express.

Long Run, who won the rescheduled 2010 race [held in January 2011 due to bad weather], finished second to Kauto Star in the race last year, being held off by just one and a quarter lengths.

And popular five-times King George winner Kauto Star was also at Kempton today looking in good health parading before racing alongside new rider Laura Collett.

Kauto moved to event rider Laura’s Wiltshire yard earlier this month to embark on his second career in the world of dressage, with the help of top trainer Yogi Breisner.

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Long Run’s owner Robert Waley-Cohen has hit out at those who have previously criticised his superstar’s jumping, and has insisted that the 2011 Gold Cup champion is in the “prime of his life” ahead of the new campaign.

The unusual jumping technique used by the Nicky Henderson-trained horse to tackle his fences has raised questions — even the Seven Barrows master has labelled the seven-year-old as “froggy”.

However, Waley-Cohen believes there has been nothing wrong with Long Run’s performances, and feels he is fully prepared for the new season.

“We are very pleased with him,” he said. “He looks to be in very good form and is a very healthy horse. He is seven years old now and is in the prime of his life.

“A lot of people have discussed Long Run’s jumping, but he has been round Cheltenham three times, he has been round Kempton, he has been round Newbury, and he has been round Auteuil — a premier racetrack in France.

“Long Run has matured, physically and mentally, following his summer break, and we believe he is fit and ready for the season ahead.”

Long Run was second to Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase and King George last year, before finishing third in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

Those results have helped to maintain his impressive record of never finishing outside the top three in a race throughout his career. The son of Cadoudal, who also sired Paul Nicholls’ hurdling star Big Buck’s, has registered five Grade One victories.

Waley-Cohen is hoping that Long Run can add to his achievements, starting with the Betfair Chase at Haydock next month (24 November).

He said: “There are only three Grade Ones over his trip, so we will definitely go to the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, King George and Gold Cup.

“Then it is whether we do the AON (Denman Chase) at Newbury again or go to Cheltenham at the end of January.

“Whatever we do, we are confident of having a good season with him, but it will depend on the conditions at the time. It is all about contingencies.”

Waley-Cohen has also confirmed that Long Run’s inclusion in the Grand National is only a “back-up plan” if he is unable to make the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The 50-1 shot for National glory with Stan James has been ruled out of racing in both events next year.

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When Sam Waley-Cohen became the first amateur rider in 30 years to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Long Run last year, it was a fairy tale triumph that delighted racing fans around the world.

All eyes will be on Sam at 3.20 this afternoon to see if he can repeat this incredible feat and become the first amateur to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice.

This cinematic video by luxury men’s fashion brand, Alfred Dunhill, tells the story of this dedicated amateur’s historic win last year through to his final preparations for this year’s big race and features interviews with Sir Peter O’Sullevan, Sam Waley Cohen and Robert Waley-Cohen.

• Who will you be backing in this afternoon’s race? Let us know via the comments box below…

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The 11-year-old Kauto Star thrilled a huge Boxing Day crowd at Kempton with a magnificent display of jumping to break Desert Orchid’s record and win a fifth William Hill King George VI Chase under Ruby Walsh.

Trained by Paul Nicholls, the French-bred dual Gold Cup winner lost his Christmas crown to Long Run last year. But, despite being five years older than Long Run, Kauto Star held him off by a length this time.

Walsh had Kauto Star positioned on the outside well up with the early leaders, Golan Way and Nacarat, and Sam Waley-Cohen tracked them on Long Run. But Kauto Star’s jumping was so extravagant that, with a circuit to go, he was in front and travelling beautifully. By the fourth fence from home, Kauto Star was four lengths clear and Waley-Cohen was having to ask Long Run for an effort.

Kauto Star, who started at 3-1, jumped the final fences perfectly and just tired a touch on the run-in, allowing the staying-on Long Run to get to his tail.

The crowd erupted as Kauto Star passed the post in front – he may not be grey, but he is just as popular as Desert Orchid in his hey-day.

“He’s amazing,” said Paul Nicholls. “I knew we had him in serious order. He’s just the best.”

Ruby Walsh joked: “He’s got the hang of it now, hasn’t he?”

Owner Clive Smith’s other runner in the race, the dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded, pulled up lame and was taken off for treatment.

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“That’s a very special feeling and he’s a very special horse,” said Sam Waley-Cohen after winning the 2011 Gold Cup on Long Run.

Now would-be amateur jockeys can enjoy riding a finish – of sorts – astride their own version of the exciting young chaser.

The limited edition Long Run hobbyhorse has been produced by the Cheltenham Collection for the 2011-12 season.

“I can’t say there’s a sort of immediate likeness,” Sam told H&H. “But they’re great fun.”

And for added authenticity, Long Run fans might also like to don a scarf in owner Robert Waley-Cohen’s chocolate and orange colours. Big Buck’s, Denman and Kauto Star memorabilia is also on sale.

Cheltenham’s commercial manager, Rebecca Morgan, said there was “plenty of interest” in Long Run – although Big Buck’s was leading the field with sales.

“You’d expect that,” she told H&H, “because he’s a proven and long-established hero.”

But with Sam’s father and Cheltenham racecourse chairman Robert Waley-Cohen rumoured to have bought four hobbyhorses already, Long Run might just pip another old favourite to the post…

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (22 September, 2011)

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Sam Waley-Cohen became the first amateur rider to win the Totesport Gold Cup for 30 years on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, taking an epic renewal of the season’s most important jump race on his father Robert’s Long Run.

It was a thrilling race and, despite a couple of jumping mistakes on the first circuit, 28-year-old Waley-Cohen powered home to win by seven lengths from previous champions Denman and Kauto Star.

It was a first victory in the race for trainer Nicky Henderson, and will go some way to make up for the disappointment of having to withdraw his Champion Hurdle winner Binocular from this year’s race because of a positive test for a banned substance.

Long Run was sent off the 7-2 favourite for the Gold Cup on the back of his defeat of Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase at Kempton. But two previous outings at Cheltenham had proved fruitless, and there was doubt about the quality of his jumping under pressure.

Midnight Chase and Tom Scudamore led the field for the first circuit. Long Run gave his jockey a couple of frights early on, but his jumping got better as Kauto Star and Ruby Walsh took up pole position and upped the pace on the second circuit. From the top of the hill it was all about Kauto Star, Denman, Long Run and last year’s victor Imperial Commander, but the latter dropped away quickly and Paddy Brennan pulled him up. Sam Waley-Cohen had to push Long Run a touch to get him to the leading pair, but he responded and came back on the bridle.

Kauto Star kicked off from round the final bend, but Denman matched him. A superb jump at the last pushed Long Run’s head in front and from there he motored up the hill to deafening cheers from the crowd. Denman passed Kauto Star for second, while What A Friend, owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and, like the two ahead of him, trained by Paul Nicholls, got to within a short-head of Kauto Star for fourth.

“This is a very emotional moment,” said Waley-Cohen. “The horse jumped awesomely and was very brave. I didn’t know whether I was coming or going at some of the fences. You go into them and throw everything at them – your heart, your soul and your guts.

“It’s a surreal moment – sometimes achieving your dreams is difficult to comprehend.”

Paul Nicholls emphasised that he was “mighty proud” of Denman and Kauto Star – at 11, the pair are five years older than Long Run.

“I wasn’t expecting very much today but you have to hand it to them, that was an awesome horse race,” he said.