Latest from Horse & Hound in Retrained-racehorses

One-eyed former racehorse goes from strength to strength in his third career

Bethan Simons — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:06:28 +0000

One-eyed former racehorse An Cathoir continues to break ground for his owner-rider Victoria Bertorelli, most recently topping the lightweight hunter division at the Royal Welsh and going on to stand reserve hunter champion.

“He’s won the retrained racehorse class twice before,” said Victoria. “We entered the hunters at the last minute as I’ve been nagged for years to give it a whirl.”

Remarkably, this is the thoroughbred 17-year-old’s third career.

“Angus” began working life on the track, but retired after just six runs, and found a second career as a huntsman’s horse.

Victoria bought him in 2020, and began the process of transforming the Turtle Island gelding into the show horse he is today.

It’s not been an easy journey.

“We only managed a total of two outings before he was diagnosed with uveitis, and two months later we made the sad decision to remove his eye,” said Victoria. “In hindsight it was the best decision we ever made.”

Angus “bounced back” only to incur further injury and need a long stint of rehab.

Since these initial setbacks, the pair have gone from strength to strength.

Last term, they won the Retraining of Racehorses amateur series championship at Hickstead, and have already booked their 2027 return pass. They are also set to compete for the first time at Horse of the Year Show in October having qualified at the Royal Three Counties.

“It’s my first ever ticket,” said Victoria, who is currently fitting Angus’ production in around setting up her new bespoke clothing line, ViBe Equestrian. “We’ve been trying for three years and had never been out of the line-up in all our previous attempts.

“But I 100% never thought it would happen. We’ve been pulled top too many times to mention and I always assumed we were dropped due to his eye, so when we were finally brought up to win I ignored the stewards the first time they called me as I didn’t believe they were pointing at me.”

To stay up to date with the latest equestrian news, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘I love every inch of him’: meet the 50p former Flat racehorse jumping internationally – after four-year passport battle

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 30 May 2026 11:53:01 +0000

The owner of a 50p former Flat racehorse who is now an international showjumper – after a four-year registration battle – said she hopes this shows exactly what thoroughbreds can do.

Jessie Welch and The Iron Factor contested their first CSI event at Wellington last weekend, jumping clear in a small tour and a big tour class and contesting the 1.25m big tour final, a few weeks after the FEI agreed to accept his Jockey Club US passport.

“It’s taken a few years but this has really been the biggest achievement of my time with him,” Jessie told H&H. “It was an incredible show, I’m very happy. He’s been a godsend to me.”

Jessie used to work in racing and heard through a friend that “Sexy” was looking for a new home.

“He only ran three times – bless him, he wasn’t very good!” she said. “I worked for a pre-trainer who was best friends with his owner, and they wanted a home for him.

“I was unfortunate enough that my horse had an injury, and Alan just said ‘Look, there’s a field of old horses there, four- and five-year-olds; pick one and take it home’. I thought ‘That one looks sweet’.

“I didn’t know his name, I knew nothing about him, I just picked him out of the field, thank you very much, and took him home. I paid 50p to have him and he’s been mine ever since. I didn’t have a clue what I had.”

Giving it a go

Jessie said she had enjoyed team chasing and following bloodhounds, and had no thought of showjumping.

“I think I just saw an advert somewhere, and thought, ‘I could have a go at this showjumping malarkey’,” she said. “I hadn’t jumped much at all but thought ‘We’ll give it a crack’.

“I took him to one his first lesson in a racing saddle and exercise sheet, and my trainer looked at me and said ‘Wow, this is a racehorse’, and I said yes; he’d never seen a fence in his life.

“I took him to his first show, a 30cm cross-pole class, and he took nine of the 12 fences down but I thought ‘We’ll keep trying’ and he got better and better, and he loved it.”

Jessie said she found a good trainer, and took the view of starting him in showjumping as she would any horse.

“I just thought ‘Treat him like a warmblood, working him like a warmblood as he’s no different’,” she said. “And it’s paid off.

“My first trainer said he was a thoroughbred and they’re not designed to jump and that was that. It wasn’t plain sailing – he had kissing spines surgery as a five-year-old – but when I brought him back I was training with Ben Bick, who didn’t ask what he was.

“He didn’t care that he was a thoroughbred, he just trained us like we were showjumpers and he said ‘You’ve got a really smart horse here, and you’ll have a lot of fun with him’.”

Huge support

Ben then moved away and Jessie came south to be based with showjumper Joe Clayton at Hascombe Equestrian.

“I ended up working full-time for Joe; I have my horses there, and he’s really put us through our paces,” she said. “It’s only really the last six months, but he’s had me jumping big tracks with him. He’s been a massive mentor and supporter to me.”

Four years ago, Sexy was jumping so well, Jessie tried to register him with the FEI to jump internationally, along with another horse she had. But Sexy’s passport didn’t arrive.

“They said his US passport wasn’t deemed legitimate by the FEI so he couldn’t be registered,” she said. “I thought it would be simple but there wasn’t a way round it. I couldn’t re-passport him as he was chipped and had a passport, and effectively he was one of the most traceable horses in the country as a racehorse. But no one would overstamp it.”

Jessie added that a major issue was the lack of a page in Sexy’s passport on which he could be signed out of the human food chain.

“Not a single passport company was happy to add the page,” she said. “I didn’t know what an issue it would be. I fought but never got anywhere.”

Sexy was then out for a few months with an injury, but when he came back into work, Jessie tried again.

“I thought ‘I’m going to fight for this now, this is ridiculous’,” she said. “‘I’m with a trainer who’s travelling around Europe at internationals, and I’ve got a horse who if I’m away two in every four weeks, I’m having to leave at home. This is stupid’.

Fighting the case

“My vet got in contact with a top vet at the FEI, and they had a woman called Jen Ancliff call me from British Equestrian, and she has fought my case for the last six months.”

Thanks to Ms Ancliff’s work, and after meetings with Defra, the FEI accepted Sexy in April.

“I was straight on the case, I think I cried when they emailed to say it was ok!” Jessie said. “They wanted a scanned copy of every page of his passport – I think I had 64 pages scanned within about three minutes. You could say it’s four years too late but to be able to go to his first international and jump what he’s jumped and how he’s jumped it, means more than anything to me.”

Jessie had not had as much time as would have been ideal to get Sexy fit so at Wellington she started with the 1.10m small tour class.

“He flew round and Joe said ‘Try him in the big tour’, then he flew that 1.20m on day two,” she said. “Then Joe said to try him in the 1.25m and we had two poles; rider error that I can improve on. To me, it was a big track, and he took me round with his ears pricked the whole way; ‘I’ve got this’.”

Jessie said that there are not many thoroughbreds jumping internationally and it is nice that Sexy can “fly the flag a bit” for his breed.

“A lot of people wouldn’t realise that a thoroughbred or ex-racehorse is capable of that,” she said. “I think there is a bit of ‘That’s an ex-racehorse, it’s not capable’ but unless you told someone he was a thoroughbred, they wouldn’t know.

Picture by Charlotte Bury Photography (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“He’s in these classes, and he’s competitive; we’re not bottom of the pack, or trying to push him to a level he’s struggling with, he’s getting better and better, and up there with the best of them. To me that means everything, because it’s shown what they can do.”

Jessie added that sometimes people do not have the right attitude to former racehorses.

“People might think they’re just a cheap thoroughbred and just do happy hacking without thinking they’ve got the ability,” she said. “This has taken us a while and we’ve had ups and downs but ultimately he’s gone from a horse who took every fence in a 30cm class to being competitive in a 1.25m.

“I’ve entered him for Bolesworth and that’s bigger again but my goal has always been to jump a 1.30m, and now I’d like to think maybe it’ll be a 1.30m international, there. That’s the ultimate goal.”

She added that Sexy loves his jumping, and plays up to a big atmosphere.

“He goes in there and properly struts his stuff,” she said. “He’s just a happy horse, always has his ears pricked and he’s the easiest animal to do anything with.

“He sleeps all day, he loves life, he’s spoilt rotten; does what he wants, when he wants, how he wants, and he pays me back every minute of the day. He’s an absolute darling. I adore every inch of him.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Kindness, education and positive role models key to thoroughbreds’ life-long wellbeing

Lucy Elder — Fri, 22 May 2026 15:51:17 +0000

Staff education, role models and trustworthy research were the three key themes in a cross-industry discussion on how to ensure thoroughbreds’ wellbeing is the best it can be throughout their lives.

Researchers, trainers, educators and other leading industry figures debated ideas and discussed existing practices around horse wellbeing in the thoroughbred industry, from birth through their racing careers and life after racing.

“The mentoring, formal and informal, and then the environment that you’re in influences a lot of what you learn and what you come to think of as normal,” said Andrew Braithwaite, chief executive of the British Racing School (BRS), during the event at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse on 15 May.

He gave the example of the way wellbeing was a focus for last year’s refurbishment of the main BRS yard, which included “friendship grilles”, which allow horses contact with each other, and dual-aspect windows in stables, and also spoke about the school’s kindness ethos.

“When we speak to the trainees, we make absolutely clear that we’re not just talking about kindness to each other and to the humans at school. But that it’s absolutely paramount when they’re with us – and throughout the whole of their careers in racing – that you have to be kind to the horses,” he said.

Trainer Richard Phillips said “the best leaders are the best examples”, adding that thinking about how his own mentors would behave in situations has “never left” him.

“Those days, a long time ago, we had more time,” he said. “I’ve always used the analogy that I’m the headmaster of school. The people who ride the horses are the teachers. The owners are the parents and the horses are pupils. Being the teacher in the school is the most important role.”

He echoed others’ points about the important role being physically fit plays in good wellbeing for horses and said the industry “shouldn’t shy away” from that.

Mr Phillips also raised the question about how to support staff with continued learning from experts – in work time – through their careers.

“There are lots of courses out, but it’s often in their own time,” he said. “I think training staff within racing is within our compass, we can do it, we’ve got to think of a way of how we do it better.”

Anna Kerr, chief executive of The National Stud, shared how good foundations are “laid from day dot”.

“At the core it’s a partnership and we’re laying the foundation of trust; that [horses] can trust us,” she said.

She gave the example of how certain staff come in early during the season to make sure young horses get extra scratches on morning feed rounds and are used to being handled all the way through.

Many nodded to how lucky the industry is to have many great horse people “across the board” and the value of good staff, but noted that yards are under increasing time and financial pressures.

The point was also raised that changes – for example, to yard design – come at a time and financial cost, too, and that trainers want certainty, through solid research, that these will not lead to unintended negative consequences.

The panel also came up with many positive ideas. These include promoting how much British racing and the wider equestrian industry does know and is already doing well, plus a system whereby new owners are given “full disclosure” of a horse’s veterinary history and reason for retiring when he leaves racing.

“It would certainly give people that transparency of what they’re taking on,” said Therese Murphy, founder of education provider Equi-Ed.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Do you ride a retrained racehorse? Check out the competition series and championships exclusive to you

Martha Terry — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:34:17 +0000

One of the many things that’s great about riding ex-racehorses is the glut of competitions and series that are not only available, but exclusive to thoroughbreds in their second career.

Whatever your discipline of choice, there are dozens of classes, predominantly at grassroots level, to kickstart your retrained racehorse’s new competitive calling, culminating in prizes and championships if your journey takes you there.

An added incentive is the prestigious shows and venues hosting the championships, such as Aintree, London International, Hickstead and Horse of the Year Show. Plus, some of these competitions for ex-racehorses have enticing prize-money to boot.

The major championships for retrained racehorses in the UK – the Jockey Club’s Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) National Championships – is a six-day competition featuring classes in showing, dressage and jumping, plus two evening performances. In 2026, this will take place at Aintree International Equestrian Centre on 18–23 August. As befits a national championships, there are qualification criteria, which we will go on to explain.

Competitions and series for ex-racehorses often have finals at prestigious venues, such as Hickstead. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Competitions for ex-racehorses: All disciplines

RoR competition league

League runs from 1 September to 31 May (dressage, showjumping and arena eventing) or until 31 August (unaffiliated eventing, cross-country and showing), with combinations accumulating points at shows (not online) throughout this period.

At the end of the League, rosettes will be awarded to the top 10 at each level based on points submitted.

To take part, visit the RoR site for a registration form.

RoR competition league championship

In addition to the league placings, RoR competition league championships for dressage, showjumping and arena eventing will be held at the RoR National Championships at Aintree in August and are open to qualified combinations only.

The Showing League Final will take place at the Winter Championships at Pickering Grange on 19 April.

To qualify for the League Championship classes at Aintree, members must submit a minimum of four scores showing a completion result or percentage in the relevant discipline.

Many owners of ex-racehorses find their horses adapt well to eventing. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Eventing competitions for ex-racehorses

Thoroughbreds have many attributes that can make them ideally suited to eventing as a new direction. They are often bold, forward-going, athletic and full of stamina. There are several options for those with competitive aspirations throughout the year, both organised by the RoR organisation and others.

RoR Winter Championships (Arena Eventing)

Pickering Grange EC, Leics
17–19 April 2026

Qualification: Two completion results at the level at which you wish to compete in the championships, at any venue, affiliated or unaffiliated. You may qualify for two championship classes as long as the heights are consecutive.

Email your results to aparkinson@ror.org.uk to ensure you meet the required level.

For more information, visit ror.org.uk

Connolly’s Red Mills RoR Eventing Championships

Aspen Cooling Osberton International Horse Trials (1)
22–24 May 2026

Levels: BE90, BE100 and novice

Qualification: Combinations need to achieve a minimum of two MERs, or two double clears, at BE classes at the level between 1 March–26 April 2026.

Arc Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup

Cornbury House Horse Trials
10–12 September 2026

Level: open novice

Qualification: Via regular novice classes in the 2026 season. Combinations must achieve two minimum eligibility requirements at the level. Horses must not have competed at Advanced or CCI4* level or above. Horses must either have raced or have been in training at a registered trainers’ yard.

Tom McEwen eventing former racehorse Dream Big. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

RoR BE Points Series

Levels: BE80, 90, 100, novice

Series runs from 1 February to 15 October 2026, with combinations accumulating points at any of these levels at BE events during the season.

To take part, email loneill@ror.org.uk for a registration form.

RoR Competition League Eventing Series

Levels: four heights from 70cm–100cm

A series for RoR members competing at unaffiliated events. Points are awarded according to finishing position (from first down to 11th or lower), with the combination accumulating the most points within the period (1 September 2025–31 August 2026) being crowned the series winner.

Points can be won at any venue during the qualifying period. BE registration is not required.

To take part, download the registration form from the RoR website and return to aparkinson@ror.org.uk

Foran Equine Series and Awards

Highest-placed RoR awards at all BEDE events. These will be formatted through the season into a league with end-of-season prizes. Further details on eligibility, registration and prize structures will be released in due course.

Showing series for ex-racehorses

It’s wonderful to see racehorses showing off once again in front of a crowd – plus it’s great for those spectators to see some of the stars excelling in a new career. There are plenty of opportunities for competitions for retrained racehorses, in prestigious venues, whatever your level.

Tattersalls RoR Scottish Series Championship

Royal Highland Show
18 June

Qualification: Horses must have raced in Great Britain. Qualifiers are held throughout the season (prior to 1 April qualifies for 2026, afterwards for 2027). Top three qualify for championship. Prize for highest placed veteran.

For more information, visit ror.org.uk

Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Show Series Finals

Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting
22 June

Qualification: Qualifiers are held throughout the season (prior to 2 June qualifies for 2026, afterwards for 2027). Previous champions cannot compete in final.

Depending on the class, there are restrictions on where the horse has raced, whether it was in training and unraced, and so on. The final is split into horses whose last race was on the Flat or under National Hunt rules (including point-to-point and bumpers). Top three go forward to international arena for final judging. Prize for highest placed veteran.

For more information, visit ror.org.uk

The Jockey Club RoR National Championships

Aintree International EC, Merseyside
22 August

Qualification: Winner of each Tattersalls RoR show series qualifier (open, amateur, novice, in-hand, Scottish) from 1 August 2025–31 July 2026, plus the highest-placed horse aged 15-plus qualifies for veteran final.

For the Tattersalls RorR challenge, there is a course of eight fences (80cm in qualifiers, 85cm in final) and an individual show/conformation phase – series champion and top three in any qualifier go through to final.

For more information, visit ror.org.uk

Retrained racehorse showing classes can take you all the way to Horse of the Year Show. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship

Horse of the Year Show
8–11 October 2026

Qualification: For thoroughbreds that have raced under Rules. Via the SEIB Search For A Star qualifiers and selected other shows including Hartpury Horse Trials, Burghley Horse Trials, Equifest, National Hunter Supreme Championship Show.

For more information, visit seib.co.uk

BSHA Rising Star Racehorse to Show Horse Championship

London International Horse Show
18–22 December 2026

Qualification: Via BSHA ridden qualifiers held throughout the year, or at BSHA championships.

For more information, visit britishshowhorse.org

Dressage competitions for retrained racehorses

Just because thoroughbreds are built for speed doesn’t mean they can’t point their toes! Many racehorses have fantastic paces, and can be retrained to excel between the white boards especially at grassroots level.

The Jockey Club RoR National Championships

Aintree International EC, Merseyside
18–23 August

Levels: intro, prelim, novice, elementary, medium, special

Qualification: RoR members can qualify from 1 February for regional championships, at which they can qualify for the nationals, by submitting two scoresheets at or above the required minimum percentage (varying from 60 to 65%, class-dependent) from affiliated or unaffiliated dressage competitions.

At regionals, you must again score the minimum percentage or higher to qualify for the nationals.

Regional championships

West Midlands: Allens Hill, Worcs (2 May)
Midlands: Field House Equestrian, Staffs (23 May)
South Wales: Beacons EC, Carms (24 May)
East: Fenning Farm EC, Cambs (7 June)
South-west: Chard Equestrian, Som (13 June)
North-west: Myerscough College, Lancs (14 June)
North-east: Highfield House, Tyne and Wear (20 June)
South-east: Felbridge Equestrian, Surrey (21 June)
Northern: Greenlands EC, Cumbria (27 June)
Scottish: Netherton Equestrian, Perths (28 June)
East Midlands: Vale View Equestrian, Leics (5 July)
Yorkshire: Manor Grange, E Yorks (12 July)
Welsh: David Broome Event Centre, Mons (15 July)
Southern: West Wilts EC, Wilts (17 October, qualifies for 2027)

For more information, visit ror.org.uk

Showjumping competitions for ex-racehorses

Showjumping competitions are arguably the option taken by the least retrained racehorses, but if you need any inspiration, look no further than John Whitaker’s Philco, a full thoroughbred who won European silver and numerous grand prix trophies.

Who said thoroughbreds can’t jump! David Broome’s Philco is a prime example. (Image credit: Eamonn McCabe/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

The Jockey Club RoR National Championships

Aintree International EC, Merseyside
18–23 August 2026

Levels: 70cm, 80cm, 90cm and 1m

Qualification: These are all open classes for RoR competition registered horses, with no qualification criteria. They are run in accordance with British Showjumping rules.

For more information, visit ror.org.uk

Equiyd British Showjumping National Amateur and Veteran Championships

Aintree International EC, Merseyside
10–15 November

Levels: 85cm–1.10m

The RoR will be awarding prizes to the highest placed RoR-registered combinations in all championship classes. Horses must hold current RoR competition membership, and will need to state eligibility on entry.

For more information, visit aintreeequestriancentre.co.uk

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Did you find this article useful? You may also like to read…

(Image credit: CHHT/Peter Nixon)

Who says thoroughbreds can’t do dressage? Top tips and 4 exercises to make the most of your retrained racehorse’s highlights

(Image credit: CHHT/Peter Nixon)

Time, patience and 8 more vital assets you need to retrain a racehorse to excel in the show ring

(Image credit: CHHT/Peter Nixon)

Inspired by star thoroughbred Artist at Maryland? Discover more horses bred to race who reached the top in other disciplines

(Image credit: CHHT/Peter Nixon)

‘This horse is my best friend – I owe him everything’: retrained racehorse who ran 26 times is heading to London International

(Image credit: CHHT/Peter Nixon)

‘Experiencing the magic’: retired racehorses mark Chinese year of the horse in city centre

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:01:36 +0000

Two thoroughbreds visited the oldest Chinatown in Europe to mark the official start of the year of the horse today (17 February).

Former racehorses Kemboy and Nora The Xplorer met passers-by and posed for pictures under the Chinese arch on Nelson Street, Liverpool, which at 44ft tall is the largest of its type outside mainland China.

A spokesperson for Great British Racing, which was behind today’s visit, said the organisation was proud to celebrate the horse.

“In Chinese tradition, the horse symbolises strength, speed, freedom and success, all of which are qualities that resonate powerfully with the British thoroughbred, one of the most admired and accomplished equine athletes in the world,” she said.

“Elegant yet powerful, spirited yet disciplined, these horses embody the very characteristics honoured during this special year, which is celebrated every 12 years in the Chinese zodiac’s 12-year cycle.”

In celebration of the year, Great British Racing has pledged to ensure 8,000 young people have the chance to get close to a thoroughbred in 2026. As well as National Racehorse Week (22-31 August), during which young people can visit studs, training yards and rehoming centres for free, some 100 events will be held across the country.

Picture by James Speakman/PA Media Assignments (Image credit: PA)

“The free events will give people the chance to get close to the horses, meet trainers, jockeys, farriers, physiotherapists and the dedicated yard staff, and experience the magic of the thoroughbred for themselves,” the spokesperson said, adding that racehorses will also be taken into cities to meet children at community events.

“In the year of the horse, these remarkable animals stand as ideal ambassadors for British sport. They unite heritage and modern excellence, inspire national pride and provide a shared sense of excitement and optimism. As symbols of beauty, strength and perseverance, British thoroughbreds perfectly reflect the spirit of the horse, reminding us why these extraordinary animals continue to captivate audiences around the world, and help to make horseracing Britain’s second biggest spectator sport.”

Amy Bannister-Bell, who owns Nora The Xplorer, said it was “fantastic” to be able to share the horses with the public.

“Thoroughbreds are incredible athletes and they’re also very empathetic and gentle animals,” she said. “It’s brilliant so many young people will have the chance to meet them this year.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking equestrian news throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

The unbreakable bond between rider who sustained life-changing injuries and her ex-racehorse ‘best friend’

Becky Murray — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 15:33:25 +0000

An equestrian who sustained life-changing injuries in an accident has received an award in honour of her partnership with her much-loved former racehorse – as vital fundraising efforts continue to fund her rehab.

Gemma Potts and Optimal Spirit (Charlie) won the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR partnership of the year, at the 2026 Jockey Club RoR Awards on 24 January. Gemma was unable to attend the ceremony at Cheltenham Racecourse and the award was collected on her behalf by friend Victoria Baker.

Watch Gemma’s RoR video:

“I still don’t believe it, I’m so shocked,” Gemma told H&H.

Gemma previously worked for eventer Emma Hawskby and bought Charlie in 2015 when he had come to the yard to be sold.

“I never wanted an ex-racehorse – but I went on to own two more as well as Charlie,” said Gemma.

“They’re just so intelligent and quick to learn. When I worked with horses, I worked with a lot of different types, younger, older, and always found the thoroughbreds were much more switched on.”

Gemma planned to do some prelim dressage and a little bit of showjumping, but they went on to compete at medium level between the white boards and evented at BE100. They also enjoyed hunting and went to the RoR Championships twice.

Gemma and Charlie competed in dressage and eventing. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

In 2021 Gemma was injured when a friend’s horse panicked and knocked her into the lorry steps at a show. Gemma broke her neck and damaged her spinal cord, resulting in paralysis from the shoulders down. She spent seven weeks in intensive care, six months in spinal high dependency and almost two and a half years in residential care.

When Gemma was able to see Charlie for the first time after her accident eight to nine months later she said he “took it all in his stride”.

“It was as if nothing had changed for him. I was there spending time with him, and he was just happy for me to be there. He wasn’t bothered by the chair,” she said.

“I kept him where I worked for quite a lot of the time so I was around him for probably 10 hours a day, and he was never far from my line of sight. Then obviously I went from seeing him every day to not. Not only was there a big change in my life anyway, I wasn’t able to see who I would say is my best friend.

“Now it’s very different, it’s him just nudging at my feet or my knees or playing with my blanket. I have with assistance groomed him, and he’s just quite happy to be there for me.”

Gemma’s mum Linda now cares for Charlie, and Gemma sees him as much as she is able to.

“He can be a bit of a monkey. He likes to wind my mam up, because he knows he can and always has done, but I trust him completely,” said Gemma.

“I’ve spent the last 11 years with him, I know him so well.”

Fundraising efforts are continuing through the “Gemma Potts Community” – started by Victoria Baker with support from others in the equestrian community – to allow Gemma to continue with specialised private rehabilitation. Gemma receives no rehab or support through the NHS.

Visit the Gemma Potts Community and fundraising page

“Victoria has been brilliant, and other people I didn’t really know, organised an auction and things like that. It has given me the chance to continue with my private therapy,” said Gemma.

“My injury is incomplete, which means there is a small possibility for improvement, but I need specialised equipment and physio to be able to possibly unlock that. It’s not guaranteed that I will, but there is always a small chance, but getting the specialised therapy is extremely expensive.

“At the minute I go for rehab fortnightly, and last summer I spent four weeks in residential rehab in Sheffield. I’m looking to do more residential, because it’s quite intense.”

Gemma said knowing there is a small chance of improvement “gives me hope”.

“I’m not expecting a miracle. I understand my situation, but any little chance is always something to look forward to,” she said.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

(Image credit: Gemma Potts)

‘He’s my world’: fans’ favourite racehorse Sprinter Sacre is recovering at home after surgery

(Image credit: Gemma Potts)

‘We’ll miss him terribly’: farewell to home-bred eventer with big white face who conquered the biggest tracks in the world

(Image credit: Gemma Potts)

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

‘He absolutely loves it’: Flat racing stallion who won over £1m takes to new bloodhounding life ‘like a duck to water’

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:04:53 +0000

A former Flat racing stallion who won over £1m and came second in the Melbourne Cup – and was not ridden for five years – has taken to his new life bloodhounding and draghunting “like a duck to water”.

Top stayer Marmelo, who was trained to Group success at home and abroad by Hughie Morrison, moved to Bruce Langley-McKim of Thorpeley Irish Draught & Rare Breed Stud last year aged 12, after years standing at stud – and is now having the time of his life.

Bruce told H&H Marmelo “didn’t get many mares” during his time at different studs, and someone suggested Bruce take him on.

“He’s having the time of his life,” Bruce said.

“We got him fit and jumped a few poles with him, then Cos Me Is Black lost a shoe and I needed to whip in for the Readyfield Bloodhounds. I thought ‘I’m going to have to take the thoroughbred’! And he absolutely loved it. He’s like an old man’s hunter who has been doing it all his life.”

Marmelo had seven wins for Hughie, including the Group Two Prix Maurice de Nieuil, and the Darley Prix Kergolay twice, and the Group Three Dubai Duty Free John Porter Finest Surprise Stakes. He broke course records at home and abroad, and was narrowly beaten by Cross Counter in the 2018 Melbourne Cup. But he had never jumped.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 06: Hugh Bowman riding Marmelo after finishing runner up in Race 7, Lexus Melbourne Cup during Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 6, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images) (Image credit: Vince Caligiuri)

Bruce said he initially took Marmelo out thinking that if the horse wasn’t enjoying himself, “I knew where the lorry was”.

“I took him out to the Cambridgeshire Draghounds’ team-chase course and thought if it didn’t go well, I could take him to the end and pretend we’d been there all along!” he said. “But in the end, we were beside the field master all day, and he’s never looked back.

“He’s fantastic with hounds and jumps anything you put in front of him.”

Bruce said Marmelo is a gentleman in the stable.

“My wife’s pregnant and I wouldn’t trust some of the stallions with her but he just wants love and attention,” he said.

Hughie told H&H he and his team always take a great deal of trouble to find horses good homes and lives after racing.

“I’m biased but there aren’t many horses who achieve what he did on the Flat and go on to hunting, taking it like a duck to water,” he said.

Hughie added that Marmelo deserved to win a Group One but as he was always being prepared for the Melbourne Cup when appropriate races were run, he did not contest them. Marmelo held track records at Chantilly and York racecourses.

“He was a very good Flat horse who broke two significant track records; what we never knew is how good he could have been over jumps,” Hughie said. “He had the speed to win the Champion Hurdle, and from his hunting exploits, he seems to have the aptitude to have no trouble jumping. He’s got many talents that should mean success as a sire of sport horses and the like. Bruce has done a fantastic job with him.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Inspired by star thoroughbred Artist at Maryland? Discover more horses bred to race who reached the top in other disciplines

Lucy Elder — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 11:08:39 +0000

“Chased leaders, weakened halfway, tailed off before three out and pulled up before next. 100/1”. So reads the final entry on the late eventing superstar Arctic Soul’s racing record following his short-lived career on the track.

That uninspiring performance in a maiden hurdle by the 67-rated Luso son on a cold Leopardstown December day would close the chapter on his time in racing.

Beaten by a combined total of 318-plus lengths on the three occasions he finished, he pulled up on his hurdling swansong. But as the shimmer of the New Year sparked with promise on the horizon, so too did the dawn of Arctic Soul’s bright future.

The gelding, who passed away in 2022, would become one of the world’s top event horses, with 2018 world team gold as well as ninth place individually at the 2015 European Championships on his senior championship record.

“He’s the most amazing athlete,” says rider Gemma Tattersall (now Stevens), speaking in 2021. “He’s a super jumper and he can gallop as the day is long. He just keeps going. He’s obviously very fast, courageous and brave across country, and he also has the ability to be careful and clever, which for a big horse is really amazing.”

Gemma adds that he finds the dressage and showjumping difficult, explaining it took her a while to build the trust he needed to feel confident in high-atmosphere arenas.

“Once we had that, he really started to understand that he could still perform in those stressful situations,” she says.

The pair’s five-star record cements them among the most consistent sporting greats. They have been in the top seven at Badminton and Burghley on five occasions, including two thirds. Yet it is “Spike’s” versatility to cross any sort of country that sets him apart.

“There’s not a course in the world that doesn’t suit him,” she adds, likening him to her Bicton CCI5* winner Chilli Knight in that way.

“I prefer going around the big tracks like Badminton and Burghley with him, but you could take him around a twisty, woody track and he’d still make the time. Twisty, big, galloping – there is no track too big or difficult or tricky for him.”

The tough Presenting son Glenfly won hearts across the world with his gutsy Tokyo Olympic cross-country performance with Brazil’s Marcelo Tosi.

The gelding, formerly trained by Philip Hobbs and Christopher Kellett, didn’t trouble the judge on any of his nine starts under Rules. “Soon lost good place, ridden and labouring in rear sixth, tailed off and pulled up 11th,” observe his final race notes from Towcester.

Brazil’s Marcelo Tosi riding Glenfly at the Tokyo Olympics. (Image credit: YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)

In the years since, the now-eventer has won the Brazilian national championships three times, represented his country at the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG) and the Tokyo Olympics. A lost shoe across country, resulting in a sore foot, prevented the pair’s completion. But that cross-country round will live long in the memory and franks his name among the most recent additions to the illustrious role-call of former racehorses to have competed under those iconic five rings.

This is a list that includes the likes of the late Over To You, the most capped British event horse of all time, who showed little promise in training with Tom Tate, so was sent to Doncaster Sales, where he failed the vet. “Jack” helped Britain to seven team podium places, including two Olympic silvers, and also secured individual world silver at WEG 2002.

Olympic and double WEG gold medallist Ready Teddy, ridden by Blyth Tait, is another in that club. The Brilliant Invader son was registered as Striking Back, but never made it to the racecourse.

Stunning, Moonfleet and Ensign are among a handful of other eventing household names of their time to progress from track to championships.

Thoroughbreds – the first choice for Ian Stark

Thoroughbreds will always be the pick for eventing legend Ian Stark, who has feet in both the eventing and racing worlds.

“I’m very much a thoroughbred man. Out of choice, I would always go for them,” he says. “They are tough, they have a conscience, they are fairly careful and self-preserving and they have amazing temperaments – they don’t all jump well, but if they move and they jump, they are so quick and so sharp in their reactions.”

His 1999 Badminton and European team champion ride Jaybee ran on the Flat as a young horse, before switching. The racecourse was also Plan A for multiple medal-winners Arakai (pictured, below) and Glenburnie.

Ian Stark and Arakai at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. (Image credit: Getty Images/Al Bello/Allsport)

Arakai fell off a lorry ramp arriving at the sales as a young horse and went through the ring with his legs bandaged. Racing folk “didn’t want him” and he eventually found his way to Ian, bought for him by Lord and Lady Vestey.

“He was one of the nicest and easiest to ride across country I ever had,” Ian recalls.

Glenburnie, bred with Cheltenham in mind, was hunted by owner Rosi Maitland-Carew, who sent the “quite naughty” Precipice Wood son to Ian for some education.

“He came to me to be schooled and hunted. They never got him back when I realised how good he was!” adds Ian, recalling jumping five-bar metal gates on him as a four-year-old.

Ian was allowed to use Nicky Henderson’s precious grass gallops, and remembers Nicky driving alongside the horse in the car, clocking his speed.

“Nicky said, ‘Why are you eventing him?’” Ian says. “I think he would have been a Gold Cup horse. He was fantastic, I’ve never ridden anything that could recover like he could at a three-day.”

A thoroughbred who “made a lot of dreams come true”

“For me, the thoroughbred is the king of all breeds,” says US eventer Boyd Martin. “The heart, the athleticism and the stamina the thoroughbred has is something that is hard to find in other breeds.”

The tale of Boyd’s 2010 WEG ride, Neville Bardos, is well documented. The Australian-bred gelding raced as a three-year-old under the name of Hurtle and was bought by Boyd for $800 AUS. Boyd formed a strong bond with the tough gelding, climbing up through the levels. Then in 2011, a devastating barn fire hit. Neville was one of five horses to survive, recovering from burns and smoke inhalation to compete at Burghley three months later. The pair were one of only 10 combinations to finish inside the time.

“Neville is medium-talented, in all fairness,” says Boyd. “The part that makes him unbelievable is his heart.”

Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos at Burghley 2011. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Blackfoot Mystery, Boyd’s Rio 2016 Olympic ride, also started life on the track, running three times before finding his way to the Thoroughbred Rehab Center in California. Lisa Peecock adopted him, starting his eventing career, before he moved to Kelly Prather and later Boyd.

Boyd remembers Rio as a “real fairytale”.

“‘Big Red’ just went beyond himself – he gave me everything he had to give,” he says. “The horse made a lot of dreams come true.”

A thoroughbred who “found friends everywhere”

Heelan Tompkins’ extraordinary journey with pint-sized eventer Glengarrick – from Pony Club to top-10 at the Olympics – tells like the plot to a novel.

The 15.2hh black horse raced in New Zealand, but was retired owing to epistaxis (nosebleeds). Carla Jimmerson took him to Pony Club, riding on the same team as Heelan. When the chance arose for Heelan to buy Glengarrick, she snapped him up – despite the fact that he was recovering from a tendon injury.

The pair were shortlisted for the Sydney Olympics and travelled the world, finishing 17th at Badminton 2003 and seventh on their senior championship debut at the 2004 Athens Games.

“Even though he’d done a tendon and bled when I got him, he never bled again nor took an unsound step. He was a really solid little horse,” she remembers.

“I guess among what made him unique was he had this amazing quiet temperament. He just found friends everywhere.”

Heelan Tompkins and Glengarrick, pictured at Aachen in 2006. (Image credit: JOCHEN LUEBKE/DDP/AFP via Getty Images)

In 2006, when “Nugget” was 20, Heelan received a call asking if they would like to compete at Aachen WEG. They finished seventh individually and were joint winners of the “best cross-country horse in the world” prize.

But their rollercoaster journey was not over. The federation would not pay to fly Nugget home, so Heelan had to return without him.

“I got a phone call in 2007, just before Christmas, from someone who had just loved Glengarrick,” she says, explaining the horse was in the UK until she could raise enough for his flight. “He said, ‘I can’t have this – I’m sending him home, he’ll be back by Christmas.’”

Sure enough, Nugget returned home to an emotional reunion. And the little horse who had taken her across the world came full circle, enjoying Pony Club once again with her niece, Kirsty Parsons, and living to the grand age of 29.

A former point-to-pointer with “an aptitude for piaffe”

Elite eventing undoubtedly has the strongest link to the track. But it cannot claim all the glory.

It was a former point-to-pointer – advertised in Horse & Hound as “bold cross-country, no dressage” – who gave Britain its first-ever top-10 Olympic dressage result at the 1984 Games.

That horse was Wily Trout, a seven-eighths thoroughbred ridden by Chris Bartle. Chris had recently finished his stint as an amateur jockey, returning to his mother’s riding school to make a go of eventing and spotted the advert in the magazine.

Chris Bartle and Wily Trout, pictured in 1986. (Image credit: Toronto Star via Getty Images)

“He was within my price range and I didn’t have much money to spend at all. I think I paid £700 altogether, for two instalments,” Chris recalls, adding that Wily Trout had been alternating between pointing and eventing when he found him.

“It was October and he was a shaggy dog when I picked him up. The moment I clipped him and saw what an intelligent, bold, lovely eye and head he had I fell for him there and then.”

The pair competed up to advanced and were preparing for Burghley when Wily Trout sustained a leg injury. It was in the process of bringing him back into work, following the horse’s recovery, that Chris discovered Wily Trout’s other talents.

“I had an amazing trainer at the time, Hans von Blixen-Finecke, who won the gold medal at the Helsinki Olympics in eventing,” he says. “We started teaching Wily Trout flying changes, and he seemed to have an aptitude for piaffe. It was just interesting and fun, with Hans’ experience and help, to train a horse towards grand prix.”

The rest is history. The pair would compete at three championships in all, adding the 1985 Europeans, where they finished fourth, and 1986 worlds to their record.

“The key to that horse is that he was so bold – he was a workaholic,” said Chris, adding that the horse’s “runaway” nature when he first arrived was never owing to stupidity or panic, but a pure desire to go forwards.

“That’s why eventually he found piaffe and one-time changes fun. He used to squeal at the beginning of the one-time changes and he would skip across the diagonal,” he recalls.

“Back in Los Angeles in 1984, sometimes he would make a mistake at the end of the 15 one-times [in training] because he ran out of room. So I actually took him down the back straight in Santa Anita [racetrack] the days before the grand prix and did 101 one-time changes just for fun. Then I had confidence that we could do 15 in the arena.”

The cream rises to the top, so the saying goes. For these horses, fate would have it that the cream turned out to be in a different jug. How lucky we are to witness what they can achieve.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Read more about Monica Spencer and Artist’s performance at Maryland 5 Star:

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Do you ride a retrained racehorse? Check out the competition series and championships exclusive to you

(Image credit: Getty Images)

‘I’m keeping it real and I’m happy to be here’ – top rider and thoroughbred lose lead but secure first podium finish at five-star

(Image credit: Getty Images)

‘He’s a machine’ – super thoroughbred retains his lead on dramatic Maryland 5 Star cross-country day

(Image credit: Getty Images)

New Zealand rider and star thoroughbred take control of Maryland 5 Star dressage with personal best score: ‘He was offering so much’

(Image credit: Getty Images)

‘We’re delighted to bring loyal readers this benefit’: H&H magazine subscribers get free website access

How to manage former racehorses: ‘living out has been a game-changer’ and other top tips

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 07:19:05 +0000

We asked some proud owners of former racehorses for their top tips on how to manage ex-racehorses after rehoming and into their second careers.

As anyone who has owned and ridden a former racehorse will testify, nothing beats a thoroughbred. They’re intelligent, versatile, quick learners who love to please and, combining speed, elegance and a huge engine, they are never boring to ride. All the patience and trust you place in them will be richly rewarded. Ex-racehorses don’t arrive with a glossy instruction manual, however, so what are the best ways to help manage, nurture and help these former athletes to adapt as they embark on the next chapter of their lives in new surroundings?

Ask for background information

Our first top tip when rehoming an ex-racehorse to help them settle is to ask his former trainer, groom or stable staff for as much information as possible – what was his routine, likes and dislikes, and so on.

Sophie Kington took on the former Dan Skelton-trained Amroth Bay (Fats) after he retired from racing.

“You can gauge their personalities – a lot of them change an awful lot but it’s useful just to know their quirks so nothing comes as a shock,” she says. “I now help [Middleham trainer] Liam Bailey rehome a lot of his horses and the first thing people ask is what they’re like to ride on the gallop, but you need an open mind in that sense because they could be very good on the road but totally different the minute they touch the gallop. Once you get them out of racing and into a routine, they can be completely different again.”

Emilie Hardy was gifted her beloved winning chaser Cloud Creeper by his syndicate of owners, the Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club, having ridden him out every day for trainer Philip Hobbs. She says: “A few trainers, like Jane Williams, half-retrain their horses while they’re still in training and that can make such a difference about what you have in front of you.

“People sometimes forget that racehorses have done a lot by the time they’re five or six years old – they’ve travelled, heard tannoys and so on, so they’re actually in a really good position to cope with things.”

Settling an ex-racehorse into a new home and routine

Chloe Humphries took on two of her former charges during her time working at 14-time champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls. Twelve years ago, winning chaser Mr Hudson came home with her after his final race and was joined this year by Grade Two-winning “yard favourite” Solo, whom she had looked after since he arrived at Ditcheat as a three-year-old. Her first step with Solo, known at home as “Bill”, was to allow him six weeks rest and relaxation in the field – only to find she couldn’t catch him.

“I think that was him saying, ‘Yes, I like this, so I’m not coming in!’” she reveals. “I spent the next few weeks just feeding, rugging and brushing him, letting him relax and adjust. He came to me in mid-April, he was turned out for six weeks and around May I had his shoes put on and he’s been happy hacking, just getting used to his new life, and he loves it.

“The main thing with former racehorses is to take your time, because being in training is quite intense and they just need time to relax and be horses again. Don’t expect them to be the perfect riding horse straight away.”

Managing box rest and injuries in ex-racehorses

A career-ending injury may mean racehorses start the transitional process under veterinary care and it’s important to be aware of any previous history of former racehorses’ past ailments. Emilie Hardy nursed nine-year-old Cloud Creeper through a tendon injury after he retired from the track.

“I was essentially taking on a broken horse with no guarantees, so we started with six weeks of box rest, bandage and cold hosing. But he’s never been sick or sorry and he’s barely cost me anything,” she says.

Managing turnout

Many racehorses will have experienced limited turnout during their racing careers and the nature of their daily exercise means few will have been ridden away solo from the string. So can napping be an issue? How do ex-racehorses cope with being turned out in a field for the first time?

Sophie Kington describes Fats as “an outdoor lad” and his new routine reflects that.

“He lives out 24/7 now although he’ll come in at night more often than not during the winter,” she says. “You also can’t leave him on his own in the field – that’s the only problematic thing about him. You can’t leave him anywhere where he can’t see other horses. You can ride him away from horses, but you can’t take horses away from him. You’d think at 21 he would have learned by now!”

Emilie Hardy used the insight she gained with the now 18-year-old Cloud Creeper to help him settle into a new routine.

“He was a bit of a lone ranger at Philip Hobbs’s yard, happy in his own company, and I think he was a bit claustrophobic, so I knew he would want to live out by himself,” she explains. “It’s been a game-changer for Cloudy.

“He’s almost like a cow – he has a big shelter he can go in and out of but he chooses 99% of the time to be out in the field.”

Chloe Humphries says that Solo “is totally unfussed” by other horses at the livery yard he now lives at.

“He’ll come in by himself, he’ll go out by himself, he’s really casual about the whole friends thing, which is really helpful actually,” she says. “He gets turned out more now and I didn’t realise how much he loves to roll! I thought he was going to be quite a clean horse but any bit of mud, he loves it.”

Leanne White and former racehorse Side Glance with nephew Joshua King. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Feeding and managing ulcers in ex-racehorses

Knowing about how to feed horses with ulcers and the best suitable feeds for horses prone to ulcers is an important part of owning and managing an ex-racehorse as approximately 90% of racehorses suffer with gastric ulcers.

Dietary change requires careful management as racehorses come off high-energy racing feed, but some thoroughbreds will never become “good doers”.

Beth Crozier, has owned racehorses since the age of 15, including two from a decade spent working for Herefordshire jumps trainer Venetia Williams. The now 23-year-old Quickbeam (Beamish) came to Beth after he suffered a tendon injury and was a “model patient and retrainee”, the pair going on to compete at advanced medium dressage. The three years younger Sustainability (Vic) required “much more patience”, however.

“Beamish was always well covered so didn’t need much management and when I got him, all Venetia’s who were out of work were on D&H cubes, so that was easy,” she explains. “Vic was a bit trickier – we treated him for ulcers when I had him as a pointer, but he’s been a very slow process of putting the weight on. He’s 17.2hh and very angular. It’s been years rather than months.”

Libby Taylor, stable lass at Kim Bailey and Matt Nicholls’ Andoversford yard, embarked on her first experience of owning a former racehorse with 10-year-old chaser Le Cameleon. “George” retired from racing with a leg injury last November and owner/breeder Hugh Davies agreed that Libby should give him “the quiet life he needed”.

“George went out in the field quite a lot while he was racing, but now he’s on 24/7 turnout,” she says. “He suffered from ulcers as a racehorse, so TopSpec have done me well – I’ve put him on Ulsakind Cubes, which has kept him calm without the fizziness and his ulcers have pretty much gone, so he’s not angry.

“We’re learning together and trying to figure it out as we go along.”

How to manage ex-racehorses on the yard and hacking out

It’s important to be attuned to what these former racehorses have and haven’t experienced during their time in a busy racing yard – for example, few will have travelled in a trailer or been tied up outside their stables.

Leanne White was travelling head groom for Andrew Balding where she got to know Group One-winning superstar Side Glance as they jetted around the world together. On retirement, her adored “Sidey” was nursed through a leg injury by a friend of Leanne’s, with whom he began RoR showing and dressage, before Leanne took him on a year later.

“The early days were spent hacking through the local village so he could see lots of things – it’s all about achieving a consistency,” she says. “Sidey was always keen so it took a lot of going through different bits to find out what suited him.”

Flatwork and a new riding style

Emilie Hardy’s best piece of advice for anyone rehoming a former racehorses is to “put a lot of time and effort into schooling them because, for the most part, they’ve been worked in a straight line,” she explains. “They have to use new muscles and learn to balance themselves.

“Luckily I still worked in the racing yard, so if I needed any help there were a lot of hugely experienced horse people there. The only thing Cloudy wasn’t 100% sure of was trakehners so my eventing friends offered support for training him through that. He’s always been a dream hack though– he gives you about three working days notice if he’s going to spook at something!”

Sophie Kington spent three weeks lungeing Fats at the start of the their new journey together, before progressing to flatwork, showjumping and cross-country schooling.

“He was so easy, even from the way he carries himself, so it was less about retraining and more about him learning to slow down,” she explains. “The only sticking point was that he was much better on one rein and looking at his form, he only ever really ran left-handed.”

Chloe Humphries describes Solo as “still like a cardboard box to ride” as they navigate the early days of reschooling.

“The plan is to get him going over the winter and maybe do some dressage, take him cross-country schooling and I’d love to go to the beach – just whatever he enjoys,” she says.

Finding an ex-racehorse a new job

Sophie Kington says former racehorses “need a job”.

“They’re like gun dogs – they’re so used to a routine and if you take them out of that routine you can’t just expect them to be plods,” she emphasises.

Beth Crozier underlines the need for flexibility in finding each horse’s niche in their second careers, but the result is hugely rewarding.

“I took on Beamish thinking he would be my eventer but it quickly became clear that dressage was his thing,” she says. “We’ve recently started Trec, which is the last thing you’d expect a racehorse to do, but he loves it.

“Vic has a leg in every county and is so uncoordinated, but somehow he’s brilliant over a showjump – even if he does it in his own style.

“I’m all for letting them pick whatever plays to their strengths and I just roll with it. Play to their strengths – if they go naturally in an outline, try dressage. If they don’t, try and work on it, but they’re probably not going to be a dressage superstar. RoR is brilliant though – we go to the championships at Aintree every year and it’s our holiday. We try to qualify for as many things as we can – we’ll try anything and everything. Every horse is going to be good at something.”

Emilie Hardy took a similarly flexible approach with Cloud Creeper.

“The only thing that didn’t suit him was hunting – the stop-start fried his brain a bit,” she says.

Sophie Kington originally didn’t think Amroth Bay would be good enough to show, so started out eventing.

“He’d do a nice dressage test and he was insanely good across country but he couldn’t care less whether he hit a showjump – he was a three/four-mile chaser, he knew a pole wouldn’t hurt him!” she says. “He’s got better and better at showing though. He’s 21 now and was unbeaten all last year unbeaten all year.”

Keep owners and former trainers updated

Owners and the racing industry as a whole are taking more responsibility for thoroughbreds after their racing careers draw to a close so make sure you let former trainers and owners know how you’re getting on – it’s important to shout loudly and proudly about how versatile these beautiful animals are and how fulfilling their second careers can be.

As Emilie Hardy sums up: “They’re the bravest, most intelligent, kindest horses I know.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘Everything we’ve worked on for this past year paid off’: meet the Racehorse to Riding Horse champion at HOYS 2025

Bethan Simons — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 08:33:28 +0000

A farrier and her own former racehorse were crowned SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse champion at the 2025 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), pipping a fresh face to the title.

Loti Innes-Parry, from Oxfordshire, was elated to lift the title astride her own As I See It. The 13-year-old gelding by Kings Theatre was in training with Harry Fry during his racing days. Loti has owned him for the past four years, having acquired him via Sally Taylor’s racehorse rehabilitation yard.

“He went in and I felt like he was saying ‘I’ve got this,’ and he took me round. He’s an incredible ride. He was amazing today and it felt like everything we’ve worked on for this past year had paid off,” said Loti.

As I See It has been produced by Jo Bates for the past year.

“He’s such a special boy,” said Jo, who produced another Kings Theatre gelding, Minella Rebellion, to win the same title with his owner Katie Dashwood. “They’ve got very similar attitudes – they’re winners and they want to win.”

Also a finalist last year, the pair booked their ticket to this year’s final at the Sport Horse Breeding (SHB (GB)) National Hunter championships.

“This is the absolute pinnacle” said Loti of his career, which also counts standing reserve novice champion at the Jockey Club’s Retraining of Racehorses Championships in Aintree in 2024, and reserve open this summer, among other highlights.

In reserve was Diane Wilson’s lightly shown grey, Scots Gold, ridden by Jacqueline Willliamson. Watching the class, it was difficult to believe this was the seven-year-old’s fifth show. He was previously trained by Dan Skelton and Lizzie Quinlan and he’s been out of training for a year.

“He had a meltdown in the arena familiarisation,” said Jacqueline, who has produced him for just four months. “But he went back in, and was a total pro.”

This pair also took the in-hand championship at the Burgham International Thoroughbred and Ex-Racehorse show earlier this season, and qualified for HOYS at Greenlands Arena.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

New scheme to help connect the dots when horses leave racing as ‘this moment is a crucial point’

Lucy Elder — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 17:21:42 +0000

A new initiative is in place to help connect the dots in real time as horses take their first step out of racing.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) launched a data-sharing agreement over the summer, as part of the wider aim of closing gaps on traceability and building understanding of thoroughbreds’ lives once they leave racing.

It enables RoR to contact owners once a non-racing agreement is signed on the BHA’s database and the data is passed to RoR.

Owners are then invited by RoR to complete a short survey to confirm each horse’s current status, outline future plans and, where applicable, to register the horse with RoR. This allows RoR to gather data on horses’ whereabouts and next steps. In turn, it offers owners access to free support and resources, including retraining advice, education and information about RoR activities.

“The moment a horse retires is a crucial transition point, and this agreement ensures we can connect with the new keeper without delay,” said RoR managing director David Catlow.

“It enables us to build a fuller picture of life after racing, promote responsible ownership and offer early access to the support RoR provides. Together with the BHA, this marks an important step forward in strengthening the traceability framework for retired racehorses.

“In the first five weeks since launch,18.45% of owners contacted completed the survey, providing valuable insight and helping shape future support for former racehorses. This represents a strong initial response, and we are encouraged by the level of engagement so far.”

The joint initiative was commissioned by the racing industry’s Horse Welfare Board (HWB), which has been “a central driver” in the agreement and securing funding from The Racing Foundation.

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers told H&H effective traceability “is a vital requirement for protecting all our horses”.

“Racing has made great strides in this whole area, including the development of their own digital ID system, 30-day foal notifications and having the power of regulation,” he said.

“However, we know that horses in transition, including those leaving racing, are often at most risk of falling through the cracks so it’s essential that racing perseveres on this road and shows the rest of the horse world – and governments – that full traceability is not only critically important, but entirely possible.”

BHA director of equine regulation, safety and welfare James Given said the agreement is “a practical and positive step towards strengthening post-racing outcomes for thoroughbreds”.

“By enabling RoR to engage directly with owners at the point of retirement, we’re helping bridge a long-standing data gap and support more informed, evidence-based welfare decisions,” he said.

Helena Flynn, programme director at the Horse Welfare Board added: “The ambition remains to achieve 100% traceability at the point horses step out of racing – a goal that the HWB and its partners continue to champion.

“While this data-sharing agreement does not provide all the answers, it is a critical building block in a long-term solution that will evolve over time.”

A separate collaboration, between RoR and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme (TAP), was also announced recently.

The aim is to combine RoR’s expertise in aftercare with TAP’s network of training and coaching opportunities. It comprises a data-sharing agreement for horses registered with TAP, and both organisations will highlight each other’s initiatives.

TAP programme director Justine Parker said: “Our unfaltering mission is to support the successful transition of racehorses into fulfilling second careers as riding horses. By working together, we are able to offer an even stronger network of support to encourage more riders to consider a thoroughbred as their horse of choice.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘He was happy all day, with his ears pricked throughout.’: Grand National runner takes showing win at Scone Palace

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 16:36:37 +0000

A former Grand National runner and Cheltenham Festival winner is excelling in his new showing career – picking up a win at the first Scone Palace International Horse Trials.

Ronnie Bartlett’s Stattler and Beth Clark won the Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) amateur ridden show horse qualifier, which was only their sixth showing class.

The 10-year-old was formerly trained by Willie Mullins; his biggest win was the National Hunt Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival in 2022, and he ran in the 2024 Grand National.

“He was a very good racehorse during his time,” said Beth, who works for Mr Bartlett, a former owner of event horses and major sponsor of racing and equestrian sport through his company Albert Bartlett.

“I was so honoured when Ronnie gave me the opportunity to produce him, though this is also my first season in showing.”

Beth said Stattler went on loan after he retired in 2024, then had some time off in the field.

“He makes it easy for me,” she said. “He’s really taken to showing. He’s an absolute gem and a pleasure to produce.

“He didn’t get himself wound up at all and he was happy all day, performing with his ears pricked throughout.

“We hope he could go all the way and while he’s still learning I’d love to qualify him for one of the big RoR finals in the future.”

Hazel McArthur won the open RoR class with her own Wardaddy, who ran once on the Flat and has had showing success ever since.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘I owe it all to her’: racehorse turned dressage star bows out in emotional ceremony

Lucy Elder — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:08:26 +0000

A former racehorse who was bought for just a few hundred pounds and went on to excel in the dressage arena has retired in style aged 16.

Tapaidh Frankie, owned and ridden by Tracy Thirlwall, bowed out in a special ceremony at The Jockey Club Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) National Championships at Aintree on Wednesday (21 August).

The pair entered the arena to their signature freestyle music I’ve Had the Time of My Life, “Frankie” wearing a blanket laden with their winning sashes. After one final salute, Tracy dismounted and led the mare out in front of an emotional crowd.

“She’s my first thoroughbred, and I’m totally hooked,” said Tracy. “Frankie has changed my life in so many ways, I really do owe it all to her. I’d be incredibly lucky to ever find another like her.”

Frankie had a brief racing career with trainer Simon West, running five times without success. She then spent six months getting “fat and feral” and was bought by Tracy from a dealer’s field as a project to sell on in November 2015.

They had a rocky start; Tracy said she went through more air jacket canisters than she cares to count, but her perseverance was rewarded. Frankie has risen through the dressage ranks, with wins up to inter I level.

In 2024, Tracy and Frankie were crowned champions at The Jockey Club RoR National Dressage Championships, claiming the Hamilton Tarmac RoR elite performance award.

Their record also includes victories at the RoR Scottish Regional Dressage Championships, nine British Dressage (BD) Area Festival wins at advanced medium, prix st Georges and inter I, two advanced medium titles at the BD Associate Championships for Thoroughbreds, plus multiple BD regional leagues and RoR Winter Championships.

Tracy also twice reached the final in the amateur rider of the year category at the Horse & Hound Awards.

“I already feel like I am living a fairy tale riding at the levels this horse has taken me to. I never even dreamed that one day I’d be competing in a tailcoat, let alone being nominated for an H&H Award,” said Tracy, on learning of her nomination for the 2023 awards.

Frankie will continue to enjoy lighter work and take part in RoR demonstrations, keeping her supple and happy.

“I want to thank the Retraining of Racehorses team for their incredible support, and Aintree’s dedicated crew for giving us so many magical memories. But the biggest thanks goes to the fabulous Frankie – my best friend, and the horse of a lifetime,” Tracy said.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Rider size limits enforced as part of new welfare rules

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:13:25 +0000

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has launched a “refreshed welfare framework” for competitions and events including its championships this week – including more active enforcement of rider size limits.

The charity for former racehorses published its new welfare rules and guidance on 1 August, ahead of The Jockey Club RoR National Championships (19-24 August). The document was “designed to ensure the wellbeing of retired racehorses and support their successful transition into new careers”.

“These rules are grounded in the principle that horse welfare is paramount, addressing both the physical and psychological needs of each animal,” the guide states.

A few days later, RoR announced that it had updated its horse-to-rider weight ratio rules, now in place for all RoR competitions, clinics, camps and parades. These state that the weight of rider and tack combined should “ideally not exceed 17% of the horse’s bodyweight”, and that the “absolute maximum permitted is 20%”.

“Too much weight can cause fatigue, lameness and behaviour changes,” an RoR spokesperson said.

“At the RoR National Championships 2025, our welfare stewarding team will be present, have access to a weighbridge and will award suitably mounted certificates to those meeting the guidelines.

“These rules aren’t about judgement, they’re about giving our ex-racehorses the best possible life after racing.”

This means that for a 500kg thoroughbred, the recommended maximum combined rider and tack weight is 85kg (13st 5lb), the absolute maximum is 100kg (15st 10lb).

Some riders said the move had a “body-shaming” element, but others were supportive.

Thoughtful comments

“Although much of the feedback was positive, there were also some valid questions and thoughtful comments,” an RoR spokesperson told H&H.

“In response to some of the points made, we’ve updated the certificate so it’s clear that recording the weight fields is now optional. The rider and horse will still need to be weighed to calculate the percentage, but the figures don’t need to be written on the certificate if the rider prefers, just the percentage.”

The spokesperson added that the refreshed welfare framework includes clearer guidance on raising concerns and formalisation of RoR’s partnership with the Welfare Stewarding group.

“This initiative is designed to support responsible ownership and celebrate good horsemanship, with welfare stewards now present at major RoR competitions following successful trials,” she said.

“The weight ratio has been part of RoR competition rules since 2016 but hasn’t been actively enforced this qualifying season. As a result, we’re taking a measured and flexible approach this year. This includes raising awareness of the rule – as we know many members may not have previously been aware of it – and introducing certificates to support and encourage good practice.

“Weighing is entirely optional. The Welfare stewarding team may invite combinations to be weighed; riders can decline, but this may result in elimination if the judge believes the horse’s way of going is compromised.

“We fully understand that this is a sensitive subject, weight can be a difficult or even triggering topic for many people but as a charity focused on the welfare of ex-racehorses, it’s essential we talk about this openly, fairly, and with compassion.”

Not “can I?” but “should I?”

Vet Malcolm Morley, world Horse Welfare director of UK, told H&H the charity rehomes those ridden horses and ponies who have potential to be ridden with a rider weight limit, determined thanks to thorough assessment by specialists and taking into account age, conformation and fitness.

“Ultimately this is about seeing it from the horse’s perspective – the horse doesn’t get to choose, but we do. So let’s make it normal to ask, ‘Is this still the right partnership?’” he said. “The question isn’t ‘Can I?’ but ‘Should I, be on this horse, right now?’”

Welfare group founder Amanda Stoddart-West told H&H the team is delighted to be working with RoR again at the championships.

“Our first attendance at the event came last year, and it’s wonderful RoR has embraced involving us again,” she said. “We hope this marks the beginning of a long-standing relationship where ‘putting the horse first’ truly means just that.

“Welfare is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to play our part in encouraging the highest standards while promoting good horsemanship and offering support to members. This is a shared journey; one where we all come together for the greater good of the horse.

“RoR has worked incredibly hard to push this ethos forward, introducing initiatives such as the suitably mounted certificates; a fantastic way to recognise and reward members.

“One of the highlights of our role is presenting the good horsemanship awards at this and other events. Seeing the joy and pride on competitors’ faces is priceless – it makes everything we do feel so worthwhile.

“Above all, we see ourselves as ambassadors for the horse, offering support, guidance, and education wherever we can.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘One in a million’: Cheltenham Gold Cup star wins fabulous showing double

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 06:08:18 +0000

The 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard is continuing to excel in his second life, pulling off a fabulous showing double this year – and beating a fellow former winner en route.

H&H reported last year that “APT”, who won for Henry de Bromhead with Rachael Blackmore, had been excelling in dressage with Emily Kate Robinson in Ireland. This year, aged 11, he is continuing to impress between the white boards as well as in the show ring. He won the racehorse to riding horse title at Balmoral – and then at Dublin Horse Show.

“That was one off the bucket list!” Emily Kate told H&H. “And it’s such a hard class to win.

“Dublin was really hot; Native River came over from England and he’d won at Hickstead; there were some big names in it.

“We didn’t expect it; I just thought I would go in and enjoy it. There was a huge crowd but he’s used to that, and in his lap of honour, when everyone was cheering for him – he loves it.”

APT enjoys hacking and the odd jumping session at home, and is aiming for the Dressage Ireland national championships at the end of August.

“It’s nice for people to see him too, he’s still in the public eye,” Emily Kate said. “And at Dublin, Rachel did a demonstration on him, so she was back on him too. She’s an ambassador for the charity Festina Lente, and the kids were doing vaulting and had miniature ponies, and she rode round with them. It was really nice.”

Emily Kate said the plan is to carry on moving up the dressage levels, and maybe to try side-saddle as something new for APT to enjoy.

“He’s a very special horse for a lot of people, and he’s brought a lot of people a lot of happiness through the years,” she said. “He’s just very special, one in a million, really.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Who says thoroughbreds can’t do dressage? Top tips and 4 exercises to make the most of your retrained racehorse’s highlights

Oscar Williams — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:28:35 +0000

Top trainers and judges share with H&H subscribers their practical strategies to harness a thoroughbred’s athleticism, manage tension, and build a competitive partnership to excel in the dressage arena

Thoroughbreds – especially former racehorses – arrive in the dressage arena carrying baggage. Too hot. Too tense. Too flat. But Louise Robson specialises in dressage training for thoroughbreds and sees it differently.

Louise is founder of Thoroughbred Dressage and trainer of advanced-level ex-racers – including The late Queen’s homebred Quadrille who went from intro to inter II.

“Thoroughbreds have got the heart of a lion,” she says. “Their sensitivity is their superpower – if you ride it right.”

That sensitivity, approached with patience, becomes a fast-track to learning.

“They never want to make mistakes,” she says. “They learn fast – sometimes too fast – so you’ve got to keep their brain interested while their body catches up.”

Why thoroughbreds can excel in dressage

There’s plenty to like about training thoroughbreds for the dressage ring – especially their walk and canter.

“In racing, you don’t see trot or canter in the sales ring. You buy them off a walk,” Louise explains. “That’s why so many have natural swing and huge overtrack – and in tests, the walk is often double-marked.”

BDCC Level 3 coach and list 2 judge Alice Oppenheimer agrees: “If you can show relaxation as well, you’ll pick up serious marks.”

For FEI judge and trainer Isobel Wessels, it’s straightforward: “It’s not about what the horse is – it’s about what it learns to do. That’s what we should be marking.”

Work with the build

Thoroughbreds are often long through their body, croup-high and built to pull – that’s not a flaw, just a different starting point.

“They’re not wrong,” Louise says. “They’re built for something else. Our job is to show them a new way to use their bodies.”

Isobel agrees: “When you ask for go, they want to take the nose down and pull forward – because that’s how they win a race.

“So the horse learns to pull against the bit. They’re not so easy to collect because of that, but don’t try to squash the horse into what you think it should be. Start with what you’ve got and develop from there.

“You’re not just riding what the horse already does – you ride the solution to the problem.”

Dressage training for thoroughbreds

4 progressive exercises to try

1. Turn the shoulders (leg-yield and squares)

Thoroughbreds often move as one piece. The first job? Separate front end from back end.

“Leg-yield, squares, shoulder turns – all brilliant,” says Louise. “They teach the horse to move its shoulders independently.”

Try visualising, or marking out a square, and then on each corner the horse should bring the outside shoulder around for the turn.

“These movements help expand their chest and take their front legs out in front of them,” Louise adds. “Long-term that’ll lead to the lift and reach we’re looking for.”

2. Spiral-in to leg-yield out (on a circle)

The goal with this one is to engage the inside hind and, again, free the shoulders.

“Track straight on the circle, and you’ll feel the hindlegs come under – the circle does it for you,” Isobel explains.

From a 20m circle, spiral in to around 10-12m, then leg-yield back out to the track. Keep a slight, consistent inside bend and the tempo steady – don’t let the horse fall in or rush out.

3. Transitions and gear changes

You’ve heard it before, but every trainer we spoke to emphasised it again: transitions, transitions, transitions.

Use simple transition ladders like walk–trot–walk, walk–halt–walk or trot–halt–trot on a 20m circle to build balance. Mix in transitions within the pace, too – on a circle, ask for slightly bigger, then smaller steps, focusing on stride length while maintaining the same tempo.

“Play with the size of trot – not the speed,” says Isobel.

4. Medium canter without galloping

Practising this in canter, especially on a circle, will prep your horse to show a proper medium or extended canter in the test – without risking an accidental exit at A.

“Lengthen the stride, don’t change the rhythm,” says Alice. “We want a three-beat canter – not a four-time gallop.”

Top tips for improving your thoroughbred’s way of going

Build strength

Long-reining, raised poles, and hill work help build the right kind of muscle.

Racehorse retrainer Darrell Scaife long-reins a thoroughbred over poles – a great exercise for building strength and encouraging swing. (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

“I’m a big advocate for long-reining, and spending as much time working off horse as on horse,” Louise says.

“Thoroughbred’s backs aren’t built to carry us – not that they can’t, but their backs drop down naturally away from us so they’ve got to be stronger to keep engaged and lift up to us – and that takes a long time.”

Polework exercises also encourage swing and a true connection.

“If the back is supple, the energy can pass through the neck to the bridle and back to the rider – it’s like a big rubber band,” says Isobel.

Try fan-shaped poles in a corner – the tighter the arc, the more lift and roundness you create.

Ringcraft and managing warm-ups

Competition day can be a sensory overload for former racers in particular, so knowing how to manage your ex-racehorse is key if you’re heading to a competition for retrained racehorses.

“You can’t sit them down and explain they’ve finished racing,” says Louise. “You often won’t know their triggers until you hit them – and when things go sideways, it’s not their fault. It’s just part of the learning process.”

To help them cope, Louise recommends mimicking the structure they’re familiar with. For example:

Walking the horse in hand on arrival
Bringing a familiar voice to call the test
Having someone lead them from warm-up to the arena

As Louise puts it, they’re used to going everywhere in a string, not leaving the group and working alone. Above all, go at the horse’s pace: “It’s a process, not an overnight fix.”

Racehorses are used to going everywhere in a string – dressage exerts very different demands in terms of training and competition environments. (Image credit: Alamy)

Both Louise and Alice add that using freestyle tests can be incredibly helpful – especially for horses that get tense in set tests. You remove the rigid “do it now” structure and instead get to ride patterns that suit your horse and how you train at home.

If your horse settles better by cantering before trotting, you can do that. If you know they need a 10m circle to set up for a better medium trot, you can build it in.

Freestyle allows you to ride the horse in their best balance – using familiar routines that create comfort and reduce tension.

Mindset: no shortcuts

There’s no fast track in dressage training for thoroughbreds – but the results are worth it.

“It’s like getting a six-pack,” says Louise. “You don’t do 30 days of sit-ups and call it done. It’s slow, it’s layered, and it pays off.

“If you school twice a week, that’s 100 sessions a year. You’ve got to love the process – and be proud of it.”

Did you find this article helpful? You may also enjoy reading…

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Do you ride a retrained racehorse? Check out the competition series and championships exclusive to you

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Thoroughbreds are just as good as other breeds in five-star eventing, research has shown

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Fancy trying affiliated dressage, but not quite sure where to start? You need to read this…

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

The history of hyperflexion in dressage training – and how the sport can move away from it

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

‘Don’t overlook them’: amateur owner of multi-talented thoroughbred sings ex-racehorses’ praises

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

It’s OK not to want an ex-racehorse – and others should respect that, says successful thoroughbred retrainer

Thoroughbreds are just as good as other breeds in five-star eventing, research has shown

Becky Murray — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 12:33:52 +0000

Thoroughbreds competing in five-star eventing are not at a disadvantage compared to other breeds – but there has been a drop in the number competing at top level from the UK.

Researchers from Colorado State University and the University of Rhode Island have published a paper in Animals, analysing FEI data from 2014–2024 to understand the impact of breed on performance at CCI5* eventing.

All top-level events during the time were included; the researchers evaluated the 71 breeds represented against penalties, in the different phases and overall.

It was found that thoroughbreds accrued more dressage penalties than non-thoroughbreds; Hanoverians had the lowest on average between 2014 and 2017, Holsteiners between 2018 and 2024.

Across country, thoroughbreds were “significantly more likely” to jump clear inside the time compared to non-thoroughbreds – almost 14% of all thoroughbred entries from the data had no cross-country penalties – but non-thoroughbreds were twice as likely to showjump clear than thoroughbreds.

No impact of breed was noted in likelihood to complete, and breed had no effect on overall penalties, “indicating a level playing field within competition”.

“Therefore, breed bias against thoroughbreds should be negated when selecting for CCI5* eventing prospects,” the researchers concluded.

Lead author Carleigh Fedorka, who events and trains thoroughbreds, told H&H the team wanted to apply data to the “negative perceptions we hear about”.

“Many people who compete thoroughbreds have dealt with negative feedback where people might say, ‘Your horse is nice, but will never stack up compared to warmbloods,’” Dr Fedorka said.

“It was fascinating to see that a lot of public perception is correct; thoroughbreds do not score as well in dressage and as someone who’s always ridden thoroughbreds, I understand that to be true.

“I think we could further disseminate it to look at whether that’s truly because thoroughbreds are not as good at dressage, or because there is a judging bias, or because Olympians tend to have a lot of funding and are probably not on thoroughbreds.

“But in the cross-country phase, thoroughbreds are more likely to go clear than any other breed and when you look at the impact of those cross-country results on overall penalties, we don’t see any other difference among breeds. That just shows how influential cross-country results are to the overall success of your horse at this level.”

Dr Fedorka added that a notable finding was a “significant reduction” in the number of thoroughbreds competing at five-star in the last five years – particularly by British, German and Irish riders.

Although the researchers do not have data as to why this is, Dr Fedorka surmises that as the US, Australia and New Zealand riders face high costs, particularly travel, to reach five-stars, more riders are likely to look at buying and training former racehorses, who are usually cheaper.

“When we published the paper, we instantly had more questions, and one we want to answer is the influence of rider, and rider experience,” said Dr Fedorka, adding that further analysis could also look at the thoroughbred blood percentage of warmbloods, breed objectives and rider funding.

“Overall, I think the main takeaway is that if we’re going to be breed-biased, let’s have some data to back it up. I’m a huge believer in nurture versus nature, and I think that how horses are raised, produced and who is producing them is as, if not more, influential than their pedigree.”

Read the full study

Oscar Fitzgerald, the new British junior national eventing champion and son to Grand National-winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald, told H&H he enjoys competing on thoroughbreds. Among his string is former racehorse Our Old Fella, a former ride of Piggy March and owned by Jayne McGivern, and he has the ride on Fiona Laing’s six-year-old Pointillism, by thoroughbred sire Pointilliste.

“For me, it’s their willingness and their enjoyment of it; they love galloping and the cross-country. Their brains are so forward-thinking,” he said.

“I think some people like a flashier horse on the flat, and there can be a stereotype that thoroughbreds aren’t always the best showjumpers. But if you get a really nice one, they can be good in both those phases, like Our Old Fella. He’s been an unbelievable horse for the start of my career and stepped me up from ponies.”

Thoroughbreds are being celebrated at Cornbury Horse Trials (10-14 September), where the winner of the new Cornbury Racehorses Eventing Challenge, “designed to raise the profile of thoroughbreds and their versatility beyond raising”, will win £45,000. The class, sponsored by Cornbury president David Howden and Jayne McGivern of Dash Grange Stud, will run at British Eventing open novice level and use a CCI2*-S dressage test.

Oscar plans to compete Our Old Fella in the Cornbury class.

“I think it’s an unbelievable opportunity, the backing is brilliant from Jayne McGivern to really give an incentive to have thoroughbreds and keep them in the sport,” said Oscar.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘He’s loving life’: quirky former racehorse who faced being put to sleep excels in his second-chance home

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 30 May 2025 12:28:33 +0000

An 18-year-old former racehorse who was too quirky to be rehomed or retrained, and who was facing being put down to ensure he did not suffer, has found his vocation – in a riding school.

National Hunt horse Harley came off the track seven or eight years ago, and had spent most of that time retired in a field. He is now thriving at Jess’s Horse Haven, which offers lessons and therapy for children and adults with additional needs.

Jess Ingle, who runs the centre, told H&H she wanted to share his story, to show what former racehorses can do, and “in hopes it inspires others to give these horses a second chance”.

“He was going to be put to sleep, because they couldn’t find him a home,” she said. “His previous owner was deeply concerned about his quirks and didn’t want him passed around or ending up in the wrong hands. Then she heard about us, reached out to me and said would I take a chance with him. And I said yes. And he hasn’t put a foot wrong.”

Jess has retrained former racehorses and has two of her own. She explained that Harley could not be stabled, but as her horses live in herds on her 350-acre premises, it seemed his perfect environment.

She gave him some time off to settle, then started work with him.

“Nothing’s bothered him,” she said. “The first time I rode him, there was nothing I could fault him on. We gave him more time to get his confidence, and I rode him every day, doing everything, and there was never an inch of him that tensed or threatened anything.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“We started involving him in the therapy sessions, and he’d stand there being groomed and cuddled, absolutely loving life.”

Harley was then signed off by the vet to be ridden in the riding school. He now has his regulars, who take him out in hand or under saddle.

“He enjoys it; he has his ears forward all the time,” Jess said. “I think at his age, most people would have given up on him, and I understand that, but he’s still got so much to give.

“I think the message is not to give up, and that this shows these ex-racehorses can do anything other horses can do; you just need to have the right set-up, like you do for any horse. I also think it also helps disprove the ‘nutty ex-racehorse’ thing that so many people think.

“Every time I see him, tack him up, see him being ridden, it makes me smile. Because he was going to be put to sleep and now he’s doing this, and loving it.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Time, patience and 8 more vital assets you need to retrain a racehorse to excel in the show ring

Alex Robinson — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:28:13 +0000

Learn how to tell if a former racehorse is right for the show ring, how to approach training and why you simply cannot rush with expert advice on retraining racehorses for showing in this exclusive series for Horse & Hound subscribers on training for different types of show horse

Retraining racehorses for showing takes time, patience and repetition. Not all former racehorses are suitable to go on to succeed in the show ring as their second career as only a horse of a certain quality can reach the highest levels in showing. There are, though, many retired racing stars who have gone onto excel in both specific showing classes for former racehorses and in open show horse ranks.

An ex-racehorse can be a popular choice for many riders as they are often readily available and, in lots of instances, can be bought for considerably less money than their unraced counterparts. Buying an ex-racehorse with the intention of it becoming a show horse is a gamble as even though the animal might look the part, their temperament must be right for the job.

There are many opportunities in the showing world for former racehorses and their owners. Most local and county shows schedule retrained racehorse classes, either unaffiliated or affiliated to Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) or SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse (R2R).

The main showing finals for ex-racehorses are held at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in October, and at the Hickstead Derby meeting in July. The RoR national championships is also a major occasion for former racehorses with the overall supreme being one of the most coveted titles on the circuit. There are also specific classes for amateur and home-produced riders who own racehorses, including at the London International Horse Show. H&H created this extensive guide on showing ex-racehorses.

How long it takes a former racehorse to adapt to showing will depend on the horse’s temperament, breeding and racing history, but sympathetic and well-thought-out training can also go a long way in ensuring they enjoy success in another sphere.

Retraining racehorses for showing: 9 key areas

H&H speaks to two of the circuit’s most established show horse specialists who have won titles with former racehorses in recent years to find out how they approach retraining racehorses for showing.

Jo Bates is a show horse specialist with many championships to her name. She is one of the circuit’s most consistent retrained racehorse producers, having guided several of these horses to the top of their game in the show ring. Jo was HOYS R2R champion aboard Grandeur in 2019, and she is the producer of Katie Dashwood’s history-making ex-racer Minella Rebellion, who was R2R champion at HOYS in his first season before he was crowned riding horse of the year in 2023, becoming the only former racehorse to achieve wins in both open and R2R divisions at HOYS. He is also a multi-RIHS winner. Other stars Jo has ridden include Slightly Trendy and Simbad.

Jo Bates produced Katie Dashwood’s versatile champion, the retrained racehorse Minella Rebellion. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Kirstine Douglas is a leading show horse producer who is based in Dumfries. Her current top middleweight hunter contender, Rich Man Poor Man, was formerly in training with Philip Kirby. He is a dual weight and RoR champion, having stood supreme hunter and supreme RoR at the Royal Highland, and having been to HOYS under both guises.

Kirstine Douglas with Rich Man Poor Man, who took to his new career fantastically well, excelling as a top-class middleweight hunter. (Image credit: Grossick Racing)

1. Time and patience

Jo maintains that the two main ingredients that go into re-training are time and patience.

“Give yourself the smallest of goals to begin with,” Jo starts. “They can grow into big dreams but if you get too ambitious too soon, you’ll likely fry an ex-racehorse’s brain. You need to give them confidence and trust in you, so they know you’re going to hold their hand and guide them through any situation. Thoroughbreds are such people pleasers, and they need to know that you’re there for them.”

Kirstine agrees that rushing a horse rarely produces the intended results.

“I never rush any show horse to get them out into the ring and just because the shows have started doesn’t mean you have to rush to get out,” she confirms. “I might spend time on the ground before dropping a horse down for time to mature, then I’ll pick them back up again. If they’re still not ready, I’ll give them even more time to develop. For racehorses, this implies to mental maturity as much as physical maturity. If you’re patient, a horse will pay you dividends in the long run.”

2. Is my former racehorse right for the show ring?

“The moment I first sit on the horse I must think ‘yes, I can do something with this’ – it’s an innate feeling,” Jo says. “The horse must let you ride them, and they must feel comfy and manoeuvrable.”

One of Jo’s most loved former racehorses was Yvonne Jacques’ grey gelding Grandeur. During his racing career he won almost £600,000 in prize money. As well as being one of the biggest winners on the RoR circuit, he was also a top large hack, finishing second and third on his visits to HOYS.

“I knew he had a certain something special”: Jo Bates on Grandeur, a winner of 10 races before turning his hoof to success in the show ring. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“I first rode him at his most raw stage and as soon as I sat on him, I knew he had a certain something special, the makings of a top show horse with the right training,” Jo recalls.

Roan Prince was bought by Jo’s mother at a sale for £500 before he went onto become a successful eventer and dressage horse. He was later sold to Holland.

“He was another incredible horse who tried so hard and threw himself into anything asked,” Jo says. “Thoroughbreds have unique brains, and I love their attitude to life. They are so keen to learn and can soak so much up.”

3. A full MOT

When a former racehorse lands at her yard, Jo will ensure the horse is given a full health check-up prior to beginning their re-training to ensure they have no physical issues or ailments.

“Producing any show horse, but especially a racehorse, takes a village,” Jo says. “It’s not just down to me as a rider; I couldn’t do it without the peripheral team around me.”

Kirstine confirms just how important it is to let the horse readjust to their new routine once they leave training.

“When I get the horse home I give them a month or two to settle in,” Kirstine says. “We find out their preferred routines, especially when it comes to turnout. One of our current ex-racehorses, Richard Strauss, must be first out in the field in the morning – he’ll stand shouting over his stable door – but he likes to come in the moment he’s ready!

“We scope all the ex-racers, too, as so many have ulcers, even though times have changed on racing yards and most of the horses do have turnout during the racing season. Rich Man Poor Man never showed signs of having ulcers but I knew something was niggling him. Scoping revealed he had grade-four ulcers, which we treated accordingly. Always speak to your vet before any changes to treatment.”

Scoping former racehorses for ulcers is good practice. (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Kirstine adds: “Alongside this, we do teeth and back checks and get each horse on a new worming schedule.”

4. Perfecting the mount

Jo says that the focus from the beginning of your racehorse’s retraining is teaching them how to stand when being mounted. As an ex-racer will be ridden by a judge in the ring, it’s paramount that they can stand patiently while someone is being legged into the saddle.

She says: “You cannot overlook this part of retraining. The horses will eventually need to stand still in an atmosphere and the last thing you want is for them to move off before the judge has got on.

The ability to stand still in a busy atmosphere is an important skill to train, as exemplified by the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River, who has transferred to the show ring with aplomb. (Image credit: Hamish Mitchell)

“They’re so used to jockeys just jumping on them on the run,” Jo says. “I spend lots of time with my horses, leaning across them and generally boring them with it. I have steps both inside and outside the stables and I’ll repeat the mounting process so many times until it becomes natural for them. This can take months.

“Initially, I might ask someone to stand in front of the horse, though you can still practise if you’re on your own by standing on a block, putting some pressure in the stirrup and leaning across the saddle. As soon as they move, I ask them to wait. I do it until they get it right; I’m quite fanatical with it.

“I also use treats at the beginning of this process. It’s not something they’ll be used to in a racing yard, but when they’re good or we finish the session, they will get a treat. They then associate being mounted with having a nice time. You don’t want to hold the horse down, either – they need to learn to switch off.

“Be sensible when you first begin,” Jo adds. “Choose the right situation; don’t try on a windy day or when you’re in a rush. It takes hours and hours of repetition, so you need to make sure you’re going to be patient.”

5. Muscling up

When it comes to training in the saddle, Jo strips things back to basics for good reason.

“I ride so many transitions, so the horse becomes more manoeuvrable through their body,” she confirms. “I also ride lateral work exercises such as leg-yielding and shoulder in. The horse learns to use every part of the body while sitting on their bottom and coming up in front. This all takes time and it’s not an instant change you can expect in a couple of months. It takes months and months to re-educate the muscles.

“You don’t have to do loads at one time; 20-minute sessions are great. Achieve your purpose, then move on. Note, though, that you should never end a session on a bad transition. If it doesn’t feel right, I make sure I get it right before I finish, though it can take four or five attempts after riding a bad one.”

Kirstine also takes things back to basics.

“You’re essentially re-backing an ex-racer,” she says. “I’ll do weeks of long-rein and lungeing work before we get on board, and then it’s all about correct, basic flat work done at the horse’s own pace.”

Many racehorses will effectively be re-backed for their their new job, with plenty of lungeing and long-reining before carrying a rider again. (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

6. Getting out and about

Prior to a first competitive outing, Jo will take her horses to shows to ride around.

“Grandeur used to come to lots of shows with me the season before he came out,” Jo says. “It got him used to standing on the lorry, riding around with others and seeing what a show is all about. He was a worrier and was quite nervous, so this repetition was essential for him. Minella Rebellion and his owner Katie also came to a few outings with us non-competitively.”

7. The right environment

Jo says that finding out what makes the horse tick can take some time.

“It took us a long time to find Grandeur the right stable on the yard,” Jo says. “He didn’t like being on one side of the barn, he hated having his window shut and it also took time us to find him the right equine neighbour. Once we’d found the right space for him, he thrived.

“We also encourage them to eat in their own ways. Some will have a haynet with adlib hay on the floor, others will have a haynet outside of their stable.

“We turnout as much as we can, too. You have to fiddle and faff around to find out what they like and you need to tailor their schedule to what works best.”

Be observant to find out how the horse likes to eat, whether from the floor or a haynet, and what kind of stable he prefers – all these details will help to make him tick. (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

8. Plenty of variety

“People can ride in the school too much and don’t necessarily realise you can do schooling exercises, such as leg-yield and shoulder-in, while out hacking,” Kirstine says. “It’s so important for horses to have variety in their work, but for ex-racers it’s essential so they learn to cope in different atmospheres and are able to adjust to new atmospheres and settings.”

Jo adds: “I make sure every horse has a lot of variety. We do poles, field work, clinics and even work on the gallops. This helps them be able to work in different environments.”

9. Correct tack for the job

“When the horse starts work, always get the saddle checked and fitted; you can do so much damage with a poorly-fitting saddle,” Kirstine says. “Then, I’d get it checked mid-season again – as little as six weeks later – as the horse will likely have changed shape and put on muscle and body mass as the year goes on.”

The saddle should be checked frequently – and changed if necessary – as the horse changes shape for his new career. (Image credit: H&H Archives)

“Not everyone will agree with me on this, but using an old saddle on every single horse on the yard is quite an old-fashioned way to do things, and horse’s type and build has changed a lot since back in the day. Horses are athletes, so I treat them like they are, so regular physio sessions are important, too.”

Kirstine also advises around bitting an ex-racehorse: “Thoroughbreds can be difficult to mouth and I would never over-bit one. Some will go in a double, whereas others won’t take to it and will require a smaller, simpler bit. I always start mine in a loose ring snaffle and would even go back to the breaking bit with keys in the early stages if required.”

Thank you for subscribing to the H&H website. We will be bringing you showing news from major dates on the circuit including Royal Windsor, Royal Welsh, Royal International, HOYS and more, as well as important news that the showing world cares about throughout the year. Stick with us for all you need to know.

You may also be interested to read…

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Do you ride a retrained racehorse? Check out the competition series and championships exclusive to you

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

29 amazing retrained racehorse transformations you need to see

To celebrate the time and effort a huge number of people put into their former racehorses, here is a selection

How the lives of these three retrained racehorses were turned around

Have you ever considered retraining a racehorse? Not sure what’s involved? Well read on…

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

‘The hardest class to master’: how to achieve the calm perfection judges want to see in a sparkling show hack

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Be ready to win with expert tips on last-minute planning and polish to ensure a successful show ring debut

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Look at me, judges! Expert tips on preparing your show horse to stand out in the ring for all the right reasons this season

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Catch the judges’ eye – when to clip, trim and hot-oil to create a great first impression in the show ring

Paisley Park, Native River and other retired racing stars prepare to return to Cheltenham

Lucy Elder — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:45:28 +0000

Fan favourite Paisley Park is set to delight crowds at the Cheltenham Festival once again as he returns in retirement to take part in the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parade.

The four-time Grade One winner, trained by Emma Lavelle, retired at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, after his final run in the Grade One Stayers’ Hurdle – a race he contested on six occasions and won in 2019. He has since found a new home with Emma’s secretary Katrina Stanhope-White, and Katrina’s daughter, Jazz.

The 13-year-old gelding is now enjoying days out following hounds and is set to take part in the Tattersalls RoR show series qualifiers this year.

Paisley Park will be joined by 13 other former racehorses, including 2014 Grand National winner Pineau De Re and 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Native River.

“This parade showcases a variety of horses, many of whom excelled on the racecourse, while others have found success in their second careers,” said RoR managing director David Catlow.

“Regardless of size, shape, or ability, all are thriving and enjoying active retirements. These parades offer racegoers a firsthand look at the many post-racing opportunities available.

“While they highlight the care and commitment to retired racehorses in Great Britain, they also emphasise the need for continued support, as outlined in the RoR Strategy 2024-2026, to ensure every former racehorse has the opportunity for a well-supported life beyond racing, whatever path they take.”

The RoR parade will take place at 12.25pm on Tuesday (11 March), the opening day of the 2025 Festival (11 to 14 March).

The full line up includes:

Balthazar King – ridden by Michael Andrews

Bristol De Mai – ridden by Clare Lawes

Coneygree – ridden by Sara Bradstock

Elegant Escape – ridden by Lily Clothier

Kemboy – ridden by Rachel Sharp

Melon – ridden by Sophie Candy

Minella Rebellion – ridden by Katie Dashwood

Native River – ridden by Jazmin Hosgood

Paisley Park – ridden by Gabby Jones

Pineau De Re – ridden by Lizzie Brunt

Polydamos – ridden by Katy Llewellyn

Saphir Du Rheu – ridden by Charlotte Alexander

Sharjah – ridden by Abbie Hawkins

Wonga Swinger – ridden by Tori Thomas

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

How a former racehorse changed the life of a young woman facing homelessness

Lucy Elder — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:38:09 +0000

The way horses helped a young woman endure homelessness and go on to help others facing adversity was among the stories celebrated at the 2025 Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) awards.

Samantha Ivy Barton and Up For An Oscar were finalists in the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Community Impact Award, which was won by Grace Muir of HEROS Charity.

Samantha and “Ozzy”, an 18-year-old narcoleptic former chaser, play a major role in helping people build confidence with horses at Redberth Croft CIC. The Pembrokeshire community impact farm supports adults with additional learning needs, veterans, people experiencing mental health challenges, and those at risk of social exclusion.

Samantha’s first involvement with horses came when she was a teenager, and that love has been a constant ever since.

“About five years ago, I was taken out of school from around year nine, and I kind of just lost all will to do anything with my life,” she said.

“A post came up about this little Shetland pony, who needed playing with, some attention and just a bit of love. I’ve never been a horse person, my family aren’t really that horsey – they said, ‘well, you can try it’. So I did. I fell in love and slowly became more confident with horses.”

Watch Samantha’s story in the video below

In early 2024, Samantha became homeless – but found renewed purpose in her work with Ozzy and the work they do at Redberth Croft.

“He is just the most amazing animal in the world. We basically proved to everyone else that no matter where you are, who you are, you could do anything,” she said.

“Ozzy has done a lot for me, more than I think I’d like to admit sometimes, but this horse has done everything. I never thought I had confidence, but he’s given me confidence that’s proven to me, and him, that I can do what I put my mind to.

“At the start of last year, my whole life turned upside down. I was lost. I had nothing. I lost my house, my car, my job. I thought, ‘what have I got left?’ And I realised I have this ex-racer with narcolepsy and a very special brain, and then I realised that I have to keep going – that I’ve got to do something with my life.”

Samantha has a new job in the agricultural industry, a home, and embarked on a “rollercoaster of adventures” with Ozzy last year, which “went amazingly”.

“You’ll have downfalls, but everyone has to at some point in their life – and that’s what the start of the year has really shown me: you can be chucked in the deep end, but by the end of the year, sitting here as a finalist with your horse,” she said.

Louise Robson, of Thoroughbred Dressage, and Forth Bridge, who is owned by The King and bred by The late Queen, were also finalists for their community outreach work.

Louise supports equestrians on their journey with former racehorses, and works with non-horsey groups – such as visiting schools.

Her aim is to better help people understand thoroughbreds “so we can create the best life possible for them”.

“National racehorse week is one of my favorite weeks of the entire year. This year we had an open day at our base, and 60 people came along,” she said.

“We have people from all walks of life – some local, some who have never met a horse before, and some that do have former racehorses. They got to see the life of these horses post-racing, which I think is so lovely for the public to be able to see what happens to these horses.”

Watch Louise Robson’s story in the video below

Louise was asked to be part of Godolphin Lifetime Care’s open day with several horses, and Forth Bridge also went to his former trainer, Charlie Longsdon, for his yard’s open day.

“It was really nice to be able to see and speak to syndicate owners and again, highlight what happens to these horses post-racing,” she said.

“One of my favorite parts of the week was when we took ’William’ to Denby High School in Milton Keynes.

“It was so interesting to watch William interact with the children, but also how the children themselves interacted.”

She added that some children came running up to him, while others were more nervous – as time went on, the kids worked together as a team to all come closer to the horse. She said that William too, would adjust himself to respond to those children who were less sure of the situation.

“It was so fantastic that the power of a horse – a former racehorse – could do that for these kids,” she said.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Former racehorse who makes dreams come true honoured with prestigious award

Lucy Elder — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 13:33:27 +0000

A former racehorse turned grade A showjumper who was given to his retrainer was crowned The Jockey Club Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) horse of the year.

Master Wickham joined Claire Lewis in 2015, after retiring from racing, and has gone from strength to strength in his second career. The pair have enjoyed success in the Olympic disciplines, showing and the now 16-year-old gelding even kept his cool during a tack mishap in a musical fancy dress ride.

“When we got him, we didn’t really have any expectations,” said Claire, in a video shown during the awards, held on Cheltenham’s Festival Trials day (25 January).

“But since he’s learned to enjoy the outside world, he’s gone on to such incredible things and taken me to all these places you dream about.”

“Darsi” has competed at the grassroots championships at Badminton multiple times, and also shown what former racehorses can go on to achieve in a variety of classes at major shows, including at Bramham, Blenheim and Hickstead.

“He loves competing. He absolutely thrives on the attention. The bigger the show, the better,” said Claire, adding that Darsi’s ability to learn is what makes him so special.

“He’s so quick. I show him something once – an exercise or a grid – and then he’s read the textbook, written the textbook, and flown up it.”

They have been to numerous showjumping finals, including winning the 2021 RoR Bronze League at the British Showjumping National Championships and scoring placings at the Blue Chip Winter Showjumping Championships.

Claire recalled the “crazy” moment of hearing Lucinda Green commentating on Master Wickham’s round at the CCI*-intro class at Aston-le-Walls last year – and hearing the voice she remembers from playing the eventing computer game Equestriad as a child, but this time commenting on her own round in real life.

She also shared the fond memory of parading him “among all these lovely horses” during the Grand National meeting at Aintree in 2024.

“He’s opened up opportunities I’ve never dreamt of ever having,” said Claire, going on to share a musical performance she did with him.

“We dressed him up as a teddy bear for the teddy bears’ picnic, and my stirrup snapped in the first 10 seconds. I did the entire routine one-handed with a flag [in the other], going over picnic blankets and all sorts, in front of an evening crowd who were all cheering and clapping – with one stirrup!

“Ok, it’s not Mark Todd jumping around Badminton, but for a racehorse to be able to do that… on my dressage sheet it said ‘I think he could have been a police horse’ – that just sums him up. Anything is possible with this guy.”

The three other finalists were Amroth Bay and Sophie Kington, Evron and Stella Bunn, and Second Brook and Lesley Sayers.

A judging panel selected the horse of the year finalists, with the winner decided by public vote.

The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Community Impact Award went to HEROS founder Grace Muir.

The winners of the RoR elite awards were:

RoR elite dressage champion – Tapaidh Frankie, owned and ridden by Tracy Thirlwall
RoR elite polo champion – Dark Hedges, owned and ridden by Matt Perry
RoR elite endurance champion – Art Mauresque, owned and ridden by Hayley Gilmore
Tattersalls RoR elite showing champion – Minella Rebellion, owned and ridden by Katie Dashwood
RoR Tattersalls supreme champion (showing) – Gentleman at Arms, owned and ridden by Harriet Edmunds
RoR elite eventing champion – Bayaanaatt, part-owned and ridden by Izzy Taylor
RoR elite showjumping champion – The Iron Factor, owned and ridden by Jessie Welch
To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Are horses any more traceable since the shocking ‘Horses – Making a Killing’ TV documentary… and what else needs to be done?

Lucy Elder — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:10:43 +0000

Our lives are tracked more closely than ever before. When technology is able to monitor our every moment, our clicks are harvested and fed back to us in individually personalised content or shopping suggestions, how is traceability for our horses still so fragmented?

In many ways, the thoroughbred industry is ahead of the rest of the wider equine world when it comes to traceability. Racehorses must be registered within 30 days of being born, and Weatherbys has been issuing e-passports, alongside the paper document, for thoroughbreds.

There is no doubting the care and dedication most thoroughbreds receive across their lives. People work in the industry because they love and care for horses.

That is why when the RTÉ Investigates documentary, Horses – Making a Killing, was released in June 2024 – showing the failures of fragmented traceability systems that allow vulnerable horses to fall through the gaps – it was met with condemnation from within and outside the industry. It is important to clarify that horses involved were from a range of breeds and backgrounds, not just thoroughbreds. Among the documentary’s findings were cases of horses’ identities’ being laundered.

Six months since its release, how are the promises made then by those in power to improve traceability holding up? And what work is ongoing in Ireland and in Britain today?

Where are we now?

A spokesperson for the government of Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) told H&H the department has been “improving equine traceability incrementally over recent years”.

“New initiatives have included an annual equine census, an equine microchip checker and funding to develop e-passports,” said the DAFM spokesperson.

“Following the RTÉ Investigates programme, the department commissioned Patrick Wall, professor of public health at University College Dublin, to undertake a root and branch review of the equine traceability system.

“The scope of the review includes all aspects relating to identification, registration and traceability of equines in Ireland, with a view to enhancing the integrity and security of the overall system, and also to propose appropriate mechanisms to assess applicants for approval of certain food premises as being fit and proper to be so approved. Professor Wall has been consulting with stakeholders across the whole equine sector.”

The spokesperson added that the department has already invested in technological solutions in some of its recent improvements to equine traceability.

“Our equine chip-checker portal provides public access to the [DAFM] central equine database and is key to the verification of an equine’s food chain status prior to export,” he said.

“The funding for passport-issuing organisations to invest in e-passports will help simplify the updating of information on equine movements, and we are looking forward to seeing how this technology evolves. As part of his review, Professor Wall is examining how digital solutions might further improve our equine traceability system.”

Until that work is completed, gaps remain – as highlighted by a recent case.

In October 2024, a seven-year-old former racehorse was discovered tied to a fence at Ballinasloe Fair. He was in an emaciated condition and covered in sores. The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) took him in.

Through his microchip, it was established that “Dash” last raced in July 2024 and had since passed through a number of hands.

The ISPCA said that as his ownership record was not updated, efforts to establish who was responsible for his lack of care prior to rescue had proved unsuccessful. The organisation is calling on the Irish government to review equine identification regulations and the process around transfer of ownership, noting that the responsibility is currently with the buyer – not the seller.

Pushing for change

Racehorse trainer Debby Ewing is pushing for change. She has been lobbying the authorities in the UK, Ireland and the European Commission to implement a robust, tamper-proof identity system for all equines and a lifetime traceability scheme.

“The digital capability to implement this is available. There is no excuse for not facilitating lifetime traceability,” she said.

She told H&H that her interest in lifetime traceability was sparked after discovering, through her research, there was a “strong trade” in former racehorses and broodmares from Ireland to the Netherlands.

“That could have been harmless enough, but I found that the horses were being issued with new Netherlands passports soon after they arrived, having ‘lost’ their Weatherbys passports,” she said.

“The new passports often recorded them as being younger than they were and stated their breeding was not known, so their whole history was lost. They retained their original microchips, but were issued with new universal equine life numbers – a contradiction in terms. Some were finding good homes, but others were arriving or being sold injured and/or in very poor condition.”

She reported her findings to authorities.

She added: “Then the RTÉ documentary came out and it was obvious that nothing had changed and, in fact, things were worse than even we had imagined.”

Mrs Ewing has suggestions to improve traceability, while work on a lifetime system continues. She said the thoroughbred industry is highly regulated and has the capacity to create its own traceability system, to include an enhanced “signing out” protocol for thoroughbreds leaving racing, including photo evidence of wellbeing, purpose sold for, name/address of the new owner, plus getting all sales venues (including sport horse sales) to ensure change of ownership is enacted at time of sale.

Mrs Ewing also suggested an annual audit of all thoroughbred premises, to allow wastage (horses leaving the industry permanently) to be monitored, evaluated and acted upon; plus a central system for logging thoroughbreds, at all life stages, out of the industry and into the next stage of life.

Traceability: a key objective

John Osborne, director of equine welfare and bloodstock at Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), told H&H traceability is one of HRI’s key objectives, on which it is “working on it constantly”.

“The identification systems are robust, innovative and improving each year, with the thoroughbred register having pedigree/markings/DNA/microchip and e-passport as elements in a comprehensive identification system,” he said.

“The e-passport is a digital version of the paper passport – it does not replace it as the paper version has some legal status, but what it brings is enhanced functionality. In theory, this is game changing – making it happen is where we are working and progress is slow but steady.”

He added that many agencies are required to work together, and the industry is seeing the gradual introduction of new processes in record keeping in the movement of horses.

“DAFM is best placed and ultimately responsible for this,” he added.

“[There are] two principle objectives: that there is always a responsible person identifiable in the life of every horse, and that this record is kept correct through the major touchpoints in the life of the horse – birth, registration, transport, sales, competition, export, death. If we get that right, we will have taken a very important step towards protecting the wellbeing of our horses.

“The procedures in place, on retirement from racing, in the past were designed from a governance of racing perspective, not a whole-of-life traceability perspective. To shift the emphasis requires a multi-agency approach.

“The system as has been in place, if adhered to, would go a long way but the compliance needs to be improved for it to be effective. For some time now it has been ‘the law’ (aka mandatory), with severe financial penalties in statute – but enforcement has not been a high priority. That too is changing.”

Digital setback

Traceability is one of the key focuses of British racing’s strategic plan, which has the aim of ensuring a good life for horses bred for racing from birth to death.

There is a push in Britain, as in Ireland, for all equine passports to become digital, to improve compliance and reduce the opportunity for fraud, and for a central equine database.

Weatherbys launched e-passports in 2021 and more than 208,000 horses from its general studbook are now included – which shows it can be done.

This year, new platform Racing Digital is set to launch in Britain, to modernise the central administration of the sport. The hope is that this will enable more sophisticated data collection and management while a thoroughbred is in training.

But Defra’s pausing of work on digital-first equine IDs has been met with frustration.

“As part of our continued efforts to improve equine welfare standards across British racing, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is committed to working with stakeholders to improve the traceability of all thoroughbreds,” a BHA spokesperson told H&H.

“This is a key part of racing’s welfare strategy and through the work of its Horse Welfare Board, we have set a goal to achieve a better body of knowledge about the horse population and ultimately to achieve 100% traceability at a horse’s first step on from racing.

“While this work is in progress, the Horse Welfare Board partnered with research experts Hartpury University to launch Britain’s first thoroughbred census. This six-month project took place in 2023 and resulted in the former racehorse population being formally sized at around 33,600. The census also established that 80% of these horses are currently identifiable and active across a range of new careers.”

The spokesperson added: “Given the importance of this work, we were disappointed therefore that, following the budget, Defra has paused work on the implementation of digital equine ID – on which the industry had been working with the department for a number of years – and wider improvements to the Central Equine Database (CED).

“While there is considerable good work ongoing, the decision to not implement digital equine ID risks inhibiting our ability to make the further strides required to achieve full traceability, and we would urge the Government to reconsider this decision.”

When H&H asked Defra why the work had paused and when it may restart, a spokesperson replied: “Equine identification and traceability are necessary to support biosecurity, public health, equine welfare and trade, and that is why we are working to improve the current system.”

H&H understands that cost estimates to deliver the digital enhancements to the CED have “significantly increased”. H&H also understands that as an interim measure, Defra is considering other options to improve the current regime, until digitisation work can progress.

Lobbying for equine digital IDs

World Horse Welfare has long been lobbying for fully digitalised equine identification systems across Europe, including Britain.

“World Horse Welfare shares the bitter disappointment of the whole equine sector, following the news that Defra will not be moving ahead with a digitised equine ID system, particularly when we are so close to the finishing line,” World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers told H&H.

“It is fundamental to enforcing most of the legislation around equine health and welfare, and makes last year’s joy of achieving the ban on live exports to slaughter very hollow indeed.”

Mr Owers added: “Thoroughbreds in racing and breeding are more traceable than the majority of equines, particularly in Ireland and the UK, due to their digital system and high standards of identification, and we applaud the work the industry has done on this to date.

“But even in the sport world there is more to do, particularly on real-time traceability of individual sport horse movements, and especially the traceability of sport horses pre- and post-career when they can be most at risk of falling through the cracks into an uncertain future.”

He said World Horse Welfare continues to collate and share information, which it believes “clearly shows” that horses are frequently moved into and out of the UK for slaughter, on fraudulent paperwork and without proper health checks.

“It simply beggars belief that over a decade after the horse meat scandal, our Government has not implemented an effective equine identification system, which would do so much to protect equine health and welfare as well as human health,” he said.

Second careers

It is a complex picture of bureaucratic knots. But the majority of people are doing the right thing by their horses.

Last January, Britain’s Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) set out its 2024 to 2026 strategy. One of its main aims is to “establish a robust system of traceability of former racehorses”.

“As set out in the strategy, we aim to register 20,000 former racehorses on our database by the end of 2026,” an RoR spokesperson told H&H.

“As of 30 November 2024, we have 14,005 active horses recorded. Our ultimate goal is full traceability of all thoroughbreds bred for racing.

“To achieve this, we are collaborating closely with the BHA, Weatherbys, equestrian organisations and key partners such as Racing Digital. Together, we are developing enhanced tools and systems to track thoroughbreds after their racing careers, enabling a streamlined process for monitoring their ongoing welfare.”

In Ireland, Treo Eile connects racehorse owners with retrainers, which has helped hundreds of horses find second careers.

The not-for-profit organisation, which launched during the pandemic, is funded by the industry, with backers including Godolphin, the European Breeders Fund, HRI and the Foal Levy Committee. It has three pillars – connect, support and promote.

“The whole idea came from [the sense that] ‘we need to exclude the excuse’,” said co-founder Caoimhe Doherty.

“No one in Ireland should have any excuse as to what they should do with their horse when either it hasn’t made it to the track, it’s finished at the track or if they breed an animal that isn’t commercial. There should never be an excuse for a horse to end up in a really difficult situation.”

The website has a directory of retrainers, to help link racing owners looking for a retrainer and those wishing to take on a former racehorse.

“When we launched, we hoped we would have somewhere near 500 horses in five years. Those would be horses registered with us that are in retraining or competing,” said Ms Doherty. “We passed the 800 mark at the end of last year.”

Horses registered do not need to have raced or been in training. They just need a Weatherbys or equivalent passport – and don’t even have to yet be named, which can be done for a reduced cost for horses going into non-racing careers.

Ms Doherty added that they encourage people to register in the hope that at some stage, they will be able to extend traceability of racehorses by linking with other bodies.

“Exclusions would defeat the purpose of what we are doing,” she said. “Our reach is huge, it’s just grown. I think that’s in response to the changing mentality about ex-racehorses and the popularity of it.

“People want to have these horses. They care for them. I’m not entirely sure that what we see in the papers and social media is an accurate representation of our industry. I think the good far outweighs the bad.”

She said their experience so far has been very positive and they have had a lot of support from the industry.

“There’s a lot of positivity now around second careers. There’s so many people doing excellent work,” she said.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship [between horse and human], but what some of the riders and people we have in our Treo Eile family – what they’ve achieved with the horses, and their patience and care – is incredible. They do so much for the industry.”

What do you think is the way forward for ensuring traceability of all horses, from birth to death? Let us know by writing to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

Thousands of new training opportunities to benefit riders and former racehorses

Lucy Elder — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 19:26:53 +0000

A new initiative with thousands of subsidised training opportunities and designed to support riders from the very first step of taking on a former racehorse is powering into action.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, set up by eventing and racing owner and investor David Howden, offers free online content with leading coaches across equestrian disciplines, and subsidised in-person training. Its aim is to enable more horses to live a rewarding life after retiring from racing.

At the launch at Ascot racecourse (20 December), Mr Howden said the programme’s aim is to give “really practical” advice on how and where to start with retraining a racehorse for a second career.

“As someone who is involved both in racing and eventing, I’m passionate about equine sport,” said Mr Howden, adding that the programme is designed to complement and fit with other initiatives, such as those by Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and the British Horseracing Authority.

“By creating a nationwide, freely accessible support programme that also includes 2,000 subsidised training sessions a year, I hope we will see more horses leave racing safe in the knowledge that their pathway to becoming a riding horse will be as smooth and stress-free as possible.”

He added that this is a Howden family initiative, rather than the Howden Group. It draws on Mr Howden’s own experiences and a desire to deliver practical help for those looking for advice on taking on former racehorses.

“I’ve kick-started this, but I’m a big believer in collaboration and we would really love to open this up to others to be involved,” he said.

“This is of real scale, and if we can get more people to collaborate, we can really make it big and make a difference – and I think it is important for our industry. More people from the outside are looking in and seeing if what we’re doing in the industry is right or wrong, and I think we need to prove that we’ve got a positive message.”

The nationwide framework is designed to support people taking on former racehorses to enjoy any discipline, whether they are competitive or non-competitive riders. Its aim is to help riders better understand their horse – from the basics, such as feeding – and to help them through transitioning their former racehorses into riding horses.

It is led by director Justine Parker, with Lucy Jackson, Izzy Taylor and Laura Collett among top eventing names involved.

“I think if we can be interpreters for the thoroughbred – and in my role as a coach, I hope to be able to interpret to other people why they think the way they think, why they react the way they react – we can make them more accessible and dispel a few myths,” said Lucy.

Izzy added: “I’m incredibly lucky that I was brought up in a horsey family, so I didn’t have to pick up the phone; [support] was there for me and I’m very privileged in that respect. But there are people, in any sport, that are coming into it and need to learn – you don’t jump in a car and just drive it – it’s no different.”

H&H columnist Kim Bailey was among the racehorse trainers at the launch and welcomed the programme.

“I know from my own experience that the second most looked at page on my website is, ‘Where are they now?’ And [a good life after racing] is something we treasure and we work very hard to make sure it happens. But we need support, and this is going to be a huge bonus to us,” said Mr Bailey.

RoR managing director David Catlow said that the programme “is a fantastic addition” to the aftercare landscape and “complements RoR’s established initiatives”.

Helena Flynn, programme director of the British racing industry’s Horse Welfare Board, added: “This programme represents a significant step forward in ensuring that ex-racehorses transition successfully into fulfilling and rewarding lives with their new owners and riders. It’s inspiring to see the industry unite for the welfare and future of these incredible animals.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘I was smiling from ear to ear’: racing fans’ favourite lights up London horse show

Alex Robinson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:06:15 +0000

Jayne and the late Keith Sivills’ home-bred racing star Lady Buttons, who won £292,471 when in training with Phil Kirby, cemented her status as “The Queen of the North” when she triumphed in the Agria racehorse to show horse final at the London International Horse Show.

In the 14-year-old’s saddle was her former work rider Jennie Durrans. Jennie and her partner Adam Nicol, who rode Buttons for the majority of her career on the track, took Buttons on in February 2023.

She was lightly shown last season with success before stepping up this term.

“She retired from racing in 2020 after a minor injury and unfortunately, she wasn’t able to be put in foal as it was discovered that she had under-developed ovaries,” Jennie explained. “When she came to me, she already had most of the basics in place as I’d ridden her for so long and it didn’t take long to get her back into the game.”

On her show ring debut in 2023, she won all three classes at Burgham Horse Trials.

“We had a bit of a stop-start year as we were so busy with racing, but we kept her ticking over with jump training at home,” Jennie said.

“At the beginning of this season, I went to get her out of the lorry at her first show and she hit her head having a bit of a dance about. It took a long time for her to heal and before taking her back out showing again we did some dressage.”

Buttons qualified for London on her second attempt, and Jennie headed into the final with “zero expectations”.

“She’s never done an indoor show before. She’s very much a mare; one day she comes out chilled and up for it, the next she’s excitable and doesn’t want to play ball. I said to my friend that I’d be delighted if she behaves and we don’t get asked to leave the ring! During the warm-up, though, Buttons gave me the most amazing feeling. She was showing herself so well and this continued into the class; I was smiling from ear to ear from start to finish.”

“Initially, I really wanted to event Buttons as she jumps for fun, but showing fits in with working full-time on our small yard and being so busy with racing. With showing, I can lightly work her on the flat and pick a show to aim for; it fits in around everything.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen. I know she’s beautiful, she moves well and has lots of presence, but for other people to notice that in her too is so nice. She’s definitely an overachiever.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘This horse is my best friend – I owe him everything’: retrained racehorse who ran 26 times is heading to London International

Alex Robinson — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:00:39 +0000

A former racehorse is set to make his debut at the London International Horse Show (LIHS) next month. Sonnetist and Emma Rhymer have qualified for the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) Rising Stars racehorse to show horse final.

Sonnestic, a 10-year-old bay gelding known as Theo at home, was in training with David Evans for his owners, Mr and Mrs Clifford. He ran 26 times under Rules with five top-three placings, earning £13,000 in prize money. He last ran five days before Emma brought him home in 2019 to her family’s farm in Somerset.

“He’d been such an honest horse for his owners, and he didn’t owe them anything when he retired,” explains racehorse enthusiast Emma, who formerly worked as a racing groom and now juggles work on the farm and in a local pub alongside raising her children.

Emma has retrained thoroughbreds for several years, and while most of her horses move onto new homes, Theo has a home for life with her.

“He was so easy to retrain, a real dream,” Emma says. “He has been a true asset to our small team of horses and ponies, turning his hoof to every discipline.”

The day Theo landed with Emma, her then seven-year-old daughter Holley – who is now 11 – was the first person to sit on him. Recently, Holley competed at her first unaffiliated show with Theo, winning and standing section champion.

“That very first day I knew I’d lost my ride to Holley; not long ago she was cross-country schooling him over 1m jumps,” Emma says. “When he first arrived, he was no jumper. He didn’t know what to do with his own body, but after a year of hacking and working in the school, we taught him to jump on the lunge. Now his jump is phenomenal and we’ve started doing workers.”

Theo is still low mileage, with 2023 being his first season in the show ring. Emma juggles showing Theo with taking Holley’s ponies around the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifying circuit as she also vies for her dream. Earlier this year, Theo and Emma won the Retraining of Racehorses amateur championship at Hickstead.

“I will never forget that day,” Emma recalls. “I didn’t even recognise my number when the commentator called it out as I had so little faith in myself! It was a mad moment, proving that you don’t have to have £100s to live out your dreams and that you’re only as good as you believe you are, so believe it!”

Theo and Emma qualified for London at Dunster Show.

“London is a show I never thought we’d get to,” Emma says. “This horse is a true best friend, and I owe him everything. He’s giving my daughter and I opportunities and memories we will cherish for a lifetime. He’s our everything and my children look up to him. He’s true gold with the heart of a lion – he always gives everything 100%.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘With him till the very end’: sad farewell to 17.2hh Grand National runner who became a ‘lead-rein pony’ and ‘worth his weight in gold’

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 19:51:19 +0000

A beloved former Grand National runner – and Kerry National winner – who went on to excel in everything he turned his hoof to including being a 17.2hh “lead-rein pony” has died aged 25.

Bóthar Na, who was trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by jockeys including Ruby Walsh and Paul Carberry, had spent the last nine years of his life with Sarah McClelland, enjoying showing, dressage, jumping and being part of the family.

Sarah told H&H “Bo” suffered a heart episode and had to be put down on Tuesday (29 October).

“You always know the day is coming, with an older horse, but at the same time you never think it really will come,” she said. “The vet said he was comfortable at that moment but it could happen again at any time, maybe at night or when he was on his own, so it was the right thing.

“I took him out to graze for a bit and then he went peacefully. I sat with him, in the cold, wet sand, with his head in my lap, until he was collected for cremation. It was dignified, and I was with him till the very end.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Bo won about £150,000 in racing, including the Kerry National in 2006. He ran in the Grand National the following year and was retired in 2011, aged 12.

Sarah took him on four years later; Bo was living at a riding school, which closed down.

“He wasn’t the sort of horse I was looking for but I said I’d take him,” she said. “Little did I know, he would take me to all the biggest shows in the country. My background was showing and showjumping so I was used to Irish Sport Horses, warmbloods, Irish Draughts; I had no idea how versatile thoroughbreds were. I thought he could be a happy hacker and I’d get another horse too – but I had no need.”

Sarah and Bo competed in racehorse to riding horse and large riding horse classes, at shows including Balmoral and Dublin Horse Show.

“He also did dressage to medium/elementary, then I found out I was pregnant,” Sarah said. “I rode till just before I had my daughter, then hopped on him six weeks after my caesarean – and then he became an oversized lead-rein pony for my daughter. She’d be trotting him round on the lunge, egging him on to go faster, and god love him, he always behaved so well.

“He never put a foot wrong, except once I took him hunting and he ran off with me past the master! I think the master saw the funny side, but whatever I asked of him; dressage, jumping, working hunter, showing – if not so much hunting – he was always so keen, he wanted to please and he loved it. He was a pleasure in every way, a true gentleman, and worth his weight – and more – in gold.”

Sarah said she has been touched by the number of people who have messaged her since Bo’s death.

“I had no idea how many people knew him,” she said. “I bumped into Ruby Walsh at Dublin last year and he remembered every race he rode him in – including when he broke his nose, overjumping! – he touched many people’s lives and I feel very empty without him.

“One of the girls texted me yesterday to say the stables were silent; the horses all standing with their heads down like they knew he’d gone. He had such presence; the bigger the crowd and the atmosphere, the better he was and the more he loved it.

“When I was sitting there with him at the end, it was a grey, cloudy day, then the clouds parted and the sun rays came through. I thought ‘If there is a heaven, that’s it’.

“His ashes are coming back on Monday and it will be good to have him home – and he will live on.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Cheltenham hero Annacotty loving life aged 16: ‘I want people to see that racehorses can be beautifully trained and cope with technical courses’

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 17:28:31 +0000

Popular racehorse and Cheltenham Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Annacotty is absolutely excelling in his second career after racing.

The 16-year-old gelding and Hannah Bishop are having the time of their lives, enjoying hunting, side saddle, RoR showing classes, beach rides and plenty of hacking, proving the true versatility of retrained racehorses. But it is in showjumping that this “naturally careful” thoroughbred excels and he became the first Cheltenham winning-racehorse to go on to win a showjumping class at Hickstead.

Buckinghamshire-based rider Hannah is rightfully proud of all that the much-loved “Gerry” has achieved.

“I think because I haven’t overdone things with him, he’s still going strong and in the best form of his life,” she says. “He feels even better now than he did two years ago. He’s more advanced in his schooling now, but he’s just a joy to ride; it’s an absolute privilege to have him.”

Annacotty: “The best racehorse they ever owned”

Hannah has been racing manager for National Hunt owner Liz Prowting for the past 20 years and she picked out the four-year-old point-to-point winner Annacotty (Beneficial x Ardross) at the sales for Mrs Prowting to buy. The youngster was nicknamed Gerry after bloodstock agent Gerry Hogan, who helped with the purchase.

“We bought the first horse that I saw – which you’re not supposed to do! But he came in under budget and he’s been the best racehorse that they’ve ever owned,” says Hannah.

Annacotty was trained by Martin Keighley in his early years, winning the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase under jockey Ian Popham before going on to triumph in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham – a first Grade One success for his owner – on his first run for trainer Alan King in 2015. His love for Cheltenham was cemented when he went on to become a dual winner of the Grade Three freebets.com Trophy Chase at the same track.

“He loved racing there and they only really ran him at Cheltenham in the end,” says Hannah.

The hugely popular racehorse Annacotty and jockey Ian Popham lead all the way to win at Kempton. Photo by Bill Selwyn. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“He retired sound and at the top of his game”

Annacotty was retired from racing after running in the 2017 Cheltenham Festival and Hannah says “I certainly wasn’t letting anyone else get their hands on him when he finished racing!” So she set about retraining her beloved and quirky Gerry for a life beyond the track.

“He retired sound from racing and that’s probably one of the strongest points – we took him out of racing when he was at the very top of his game,” she explains. “A lot of people would have kept racing him, but we didn’t want to keep pushing him.

“He’s very much a sulky character – he has to be looked after and he’s quite high maintenance in terms of the amount of attention and TLC he needs, and in terms of the person who’s looking after him. So he needs to be at home and requires cuddles, time, attention and effort, but it’s absolutely worth it.”

While he was racing, Annacotty used to enjoy some hunting “to keep him sweet” although Hannah says, “I can’t hold one side of him hunting now!”

Annacotty enjoying a day’s hunting in 2017. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

They’ve taken part in everything from RoR (Retraining of Racehorses) racecourse parades to some side saddle, but finding his forte in showjumping has come as something of a surprise.

“He’s always had that X-factor about him and if we’d taken him out of racing at the age of five, I can say with complete confidence that he’d have gone to Badminton – he could have been anything or done anything,” says Hannah. “We were really torn at the time – did we want a world class competition horse or did we want to see how far he’d go racing? But he was bought and bred to be a racehorse – you can have pipe dreams along the way, though!

“So we thought he’d be much happier going cross-country after he retired, but it’s not often he has a pole down showjumping – he gets upset if he does, he’s just naturally very careful. I don’t know what it is, but he just loves it – it’s like he can read the numbers on the fences.

“But I try to ride respectfully rather than turn up horribly tight. I’m competitive, but his welfare comes above any turn.”

Retrained racehorse Annacotty: “We don’t ask too much of him”

Hannah and Annacotty have racked up some good showjumping wins in recent years, also competing in the RoR final at the British Showjumping National Championships, but Hannah’s stand-out success was winning at Hickstead’s All England Jumping Championships in 2021.

“He’s the only racehorse who has won at Cheltenham and gone on to win a showjumping class at Hickstead – he’s phenomenal,” says Hannah. “He’s like riding a pony.

“But we don’t go out and jump six classes across two days, we just jump one class and come home. He’s well looked after and kept sweet and managed nicely. We don’t go to the well too often.

Hannah Bishop and retrained racehorse Annacotty enjoying the showjumping at Hickstead. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“He could do a lot more, but the beauty of the fact is he’s still fit, competing and doing things because we haven’t stretched him beyond his limits and don’t ask for too much,” she continues. “He very rarely comes home without having paid for the outing. He’s very consistent.

“He’s the same in his racing mannerisms when he goes to shows, but he’s better at some venues than others – he has places that are in his comfort zone and he’s a complete poppet, then there are other places that if he doesn’t particularly like the venue or the atmosphere he’s quite tricky. But on the whole, he’s really good. He’s always been supremely talented but quite quirky!”

“I want people to see that racehorses can cope with a technical course”

In a full circle moment, the pair will next month (25 October) be competing in the Sportjumping Final at Bury Farm, an annual showjumping competition that combines a racing-style handicap format with the chance to have a flutter on the runners and riders. A field of 15 will line up for each of the three height classes and this is the first time that former racehorses will be taking part.

As well as Hannah Bishop with Annacotty, Rachel Vicary will be in action on the former Gary Moore-trained Shantou Master, and Clair Lewis riding Master Wickham will be bidding for glory during the gala evening.

“I just want people to see that racehorses can be beautifully well trained and cope with a technical course,” says Hannah.

“I don’t really know what to expect on the evening, but I’m looking forward to it. I know it will be a different type of showjumping track to what we’re used to, but I think he’s at that point in his life that he should be able to cope with being asked a different question.

“I can’t really afford to think about people betting on us though! I’ve done enough charity races over the years and that’s part of going racing. I’m more nervous about how he’s going to cope with the evening atmosphere – he can get a bit lit up by rowdy crowds, but hopefully he’ll just enjoy it.”

Hannah Bishop and beloved retrained racehorse Annacotty at the beach. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Singing the praises of the versatility of retrained racehorses, Hannah describes Annacotty as “a very smart horse to ride”.

“There’s nothing he doesn’t like, he doesn’t turn a hair and he’s just a joy to be around,” she says.

“Liz Prowting is a big National Hunt owner, she’s 85 now and we have never sold on a horse – every single racehorse stays with us for life – so there are loads out there with other people competing, doing Pony Club activities, hunting, eventing and still actively in work. They come home when they’re field-retired or they go down to Devon where friends keep them for us.

“So they’re all over the place – but you have to try to match them with the right people, and we don’t always get it right, but you try your best.

“A lot of people might have taken Gerry a lot higher, but equally you have to remember that he’s done his job and it’s now about enjoying his life which is why we keep it fun and easy,” she says of her true family horse.

“He’s such a gem, a gentleman, he’s just really, really lovely.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘He’s a happy boy’: Cheltenham Gold Cup hero excelling in and enjoying second career

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 18:51:10 +0000

Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard has been placed at the Irish national dressage championships, within six months of his retirement from racing.

“APT”, who won in 2022 with Rachael Blackmore in the saddle for Henry de Bromhead, is living with Emily Kate Robinson in Ireland, turning his hoof to dressage and showing in style and, Emily told H&H, enjoying his new life.

H&H reported in January that the 10-year-old was to retire from racing, and Emily Kate took him on in March.

“I ride flatwork for Henry, and had been doing flatwork with him, and when he retired, I was lucky enough to be able to take him on,” Emily Kate said. “He was still sound, fit and healthy, and isn’t a horse who would have liked to completely retire. He’s always enjoyed the flatwork so this was the best option.”

Picture by Louise O’Brien (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Emily Kate is an international dressage rider who represented Ireland at the pony Europeans.

“So the rest of them here are warmbloods,” she said. “I ride racehorses in the mornings and dressage horses in the afternoons; it’s very different but I like it.”

Emily said APT, who is still owned by Cheveley Park Stud, is very clever and quick to learn, and has been enjoying doing something a bit different; having won at preliminary level, he qualified for the preliminary final at the Dressage Ireland championships and came fifth, this month.

“His category is the equivalent of British Dressage gold, and he was in with all warmbloods,” Emily Kate said. “He’s so clever, in every way; he’s so quick to learn, you only have to teach him something once, and he’s a great character. A little bit cheeky, but he’s a pet, an angel.”

Emily Kate and APT have also been showing; they competed in the racehorse to riding horse class at Balmoral Show in May, and came second, Emily Kate said APT shows perfectly the versatility of former racehorses.

“They’re so adaptable,” she said. “It’s nice for him to have a second job, and for me to have a nice fun horse, no pressure. It’s about enjoying him and seeing how far he’ll go. I don’t want to put pressure on him but we’ll definitely look to the nationals again next year.

“I wouldn’t have thought he’d have taken to it all so quickly but he’s adapted so easily and really enjoys it. He goes round with his ears pricked all the time, he’s a happy boy.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘Happy to the end’: final farewell to late Queen Mother’s horse after 20 years of ‘love and pleasure’

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 18:51:42 +0000

A former racehorse bred and owned by the late Queen Mother and who spent 20 years as a much-loved dream horse who turned his hoof to everything has died aged 31.

King’s Rhapsody, who won over hurdles and a bumper while trained by Nicky Henderson, had enjoyed a second career with Elaine Buck, excelling in dressage, showing and jumping.

He retired fully five years ago, Elaine told H&H, adding that this was only as he developed a sarcoid in the girth area, and she had to have a shoulder operation.

“He was happy right to the end,” Elaine said. “He would still be here but he developed a tumour on his face and it was going behind his eye so I had to make the decision. I couldn’t see him suffer, after all the love and pleasure he’d given me.”

“Kody”, who was out of a mare called First Romance, a favourite of the Queen Mother’s, retired from racing and went to Moorcroft racehorse retraining centre in 2001, where Elaine went to work.

The following year, he was invited to take part in a special pageant to celebrate The late Queen’s golden jubilee at Royal Windsor Horse Show, and Elaine went with him.

“It was all royal horses in royal colours and he did a few circuits of the arena; he was absolutely brilliant,” Elaine said. “It was just another day at the races for him.

“Nicky heard he was there and came to find us. Apparently, he was difficult to train – and once took Mick Fitzgerald through the rails at Cheltenham. Nicky said if you’d told him then he’d be doing all this, he’d have said you were an idiot. He was thrilled with him.”

Elaine had wanted to take Kody from the start but the centre wanted to keep him owing to his royal connections; she said the Queen Mother had had a portrait of him by Judy Goodman, hanging at Balmoral, but donated it to Moorcroft to be auctioned to raise funds.

“Then one day, [Moorcrodt founder] Graham rang and said did I still want him,” Elaine said. “There was a pregnant pause and he said ‘Are you still there?’ I said ‘I’m picking myself up off the floor!’ I said ‘Yes please!’”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

So Kody, who also starred in H&H twice in features about Moorcroft and about former racehorses, came home in 2003.

“We did lots of things together,” Elaine said. “In 2004 we came third in a local dressage championship, which I was made up with as the winner was a professional rider. I enrolled him with Retraining of Racehorses so I could do a working hunter-type class at the Heathfield country show; the judge was Jennie Loriston-Clarke and she pulled us in third, which I was thrilled to bits with.”

Kody and Elaine also had local showjumping success, and went cross-country schooling and on pleasure rides and the gallops.

“He absolutely loved that,” she said. “Of course, nothing could keep up with him on the Downs; we’d have to wait 10 minutes for them all to catch up! He kept his speed right up to the end.”

Elaine said Kody’s story, as well as that of the many, many other thoroughbreds excelling in and enjoying second careers, shows that “there is life after racing”.

“They’re not for everyone; they’re not a mug’s horse,” she said. “But if you know what you’re doing, they adapt, make lovely companions, do other jobs and enjoy it.

“Ever since I met Kody, he was always a dream to deal with, a sweetheart who loved attention, and loved everybody. The riding could be a problem! But once I’d sorted the brakes out, he was fine. He was always a dream.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘Thoroughbreds are 1,000 times easier than warmbloods!’: trainer Dan Skelton on the merits of rehoming ex-racehorses as we celebrate National Racehorse Week

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 07:30:21 +0000

National Racehorse Week (7–15 September 2024) is a nationwide annual celebration of the racehorse and a chance to see first-hand the love, care and attention that goes into looking after them. Here, top National Hunt trainer Dan Skelton explains why thoroughbreds should never be overlooked...

Racehorse trainer Dan Skelton has risen quickly up the ranks since establishing his Lodge Hill stables in Warwickshire 11 years ago and his yard is now a formidable force on the National Hunt circuit.

Dan, whose father Nick Skelton is a double Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper and whose brother Harry Skelton is a former champion jump jockey, currently leads this season’s trainer standings.

The rehoming of racehorses after their initial career ends is a subject Dan feels passionate about – he is a pioneer at highlighting the many achievements of his former runners in his #wherearetheynow series on his social media channels. He talks on the subject to H&H racing editor Jennifer Donald on an episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast.

“It’s vital to give these horses a future,” he says. “I think a thoroughbred is an absolutely fantastic animal.

“I’ve worked with warmbloods half my life, then I’ve worked with thoroughbreds for probably longer actually, and the time and effort and work you have to put into warmbloods over a thoroughbred… a thoroughbred is a very clever animal, it picks up what it’s supposed to do very, very quickly, it’s not a spooky horse, and most of the time they’re not flighty at all.

“Ok, they’re not as careful as the warmbloods when you go jumping poles and things like that, but working with thoroughbreds is 1,000 times easier than warmbloods.”

Dan Skelton on myths about ex-racehorses

Dan also dispels some of the common misconceptions riders may have about taking on a former racehorse.

“People think they’re edgy and they’re not at all,” says Dan. “Maybe they’ll be a bit more edgy when they’re in full work and you’re giving them high protein food. But when they’re a bit older and they’ve been there, done that, they’re totally different – very placid, they don’t ask for a lot, they just want to be warm and fed and exercised and that’s about it. They’re not needy like warmbloods are.

“You can tell a thoroughbred once and most of them pick it up, whereas you can be educating a warmblood for three or four years to not spook at a water ditch or something. The penny never drops with some of them!

“So the re-homing element is there and the retraining of racehorse classes from showing to eventing is vitally important.”

Hear more from Dan Skelton as he looks forward to the season ahead and gives us an exclusive insight into his family-run business on episode 76 of The Horse & Hound Podcast – listen here or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Meet the thoroughbred bought for $1 that you need to have on your Burghley radar

Lucy Elder — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 07:54:46 +0000

A thoroughbred bought for $1, who is making his Defender Burghley Horse Trials debut, will be one to watch on cross-country day at the 2024 five-star.

Mia Farley and Phelps were the only combination to make the cross-country time at Maryland 5 Star last year – their first attempt at this level – where they finished fifth. They were 13th at Kentucky this spring, again with a clean sheet across country, and have now made their first trip to a five-star across the pond.

“I’m excited to give it a shot. It’s an event I’ve always wanted to go to, so I’m excited to have a horse like him to do it on. I’ve walked around and it looks fun, so we’ll give it our best try,” said Mia, who works for Phelps’s owner, 2000 Olympic eventing champion David O’Connor.

“He is a good boy across country. He’s 11 now. I’ve been riding him since he was four, I’ve brought him up the levels – we’ve known each other a long time. We’re best friends who are just travelling together and trying new things.

“I always joke that he’s someone that you’d sit on the couch with and just talk to. He is so special – he’s a human, pretty much. He’s just nice to be around.”

Dreams of five-star hadn’t really entered the picture for this affable gelding ahead of his sparkling debut at Maryland.

“It’s special, because we didn’t really know if he’d fight for it or not – well we kind of knew, but we just had to see what would happen – and he proved that he is a fighter and he loves what he does.”

The partnership produced a first phase score of 33.7 on Thursday (5 September), which puts them around the middle of the leaderboard ahead of the cross-country.

“I was pleased with that. He went in there, and he was such a professional,” said Mia. “I think he wanted to graze the whole time, but he got to at the end – it’s beautiful grass for him.”

Phelps, a H&H cover star in February this year, was in training but unraced before starting his second career. Maryland event director Joanie Morris sent the horse to David to be sold, but he managed to stick around.

“He was a very inexpensive buy and hasn’t been that expensive to keep – until he came here!” said Mia, who has been fundraising to afford the trip from the States with Phelps.

“It’s been an emotional roller coaster. I wasn’t committed to coming here until like three weeks ago. Obviously, we did all the prep and everything, but I just wasn’t sure if I’d fundraise. And then I talked to Jenny Brannigan, who I travelled with, and she said, ‘you’re going’. So we made it work.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, HOYS and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘He makes me feel like I can fly’: former Flat racehorse takes national dressage title

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 19:19:07 +0000

The owner of a Flat racehorse turned national dressage champion hopes her story will encourage other para riders to consider former racehorses.

Elizabeth Johnson and Vegas Boy were crowned British Dressage (BD) Grade IV bronze champions at Hartpury on 22 August, four months after they contested – and won – their first BD competition.

Elizabeth told H&H that “Boycie”, who was trained by Jamie Osbourne to four wins and nine places on the racetrack, is a “shining example of the versatility of ex-racehorses”.

Boycie, now nine, has been out of racing about three and a half years, and Elizabeth has owned him for about three.

“He’s a brilliant horse, he will do anything,” she said. “My friend’s daughter does hunt races with him, and I thought ‘He’s such a sweet horse, let’s have a go at dressage’, and he’s taken to it like a duck to water.”

Elizabeth was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 10 years ago.

“It’s left me with a limp on my right leg,” she said. “I definitely don’t trot up sound – I’m a rider and training to be a vet so the irony of that is not lost on me! But my right leg is a lot weaker, and not as effective when I ride, so that affects my balance. But he’s adapted really well to being ridden by me, and by able-bodied riders.”

Elizabeth credits her trainer Anne Marie Bork Eppers for all her help, and the team at Talland, who are “absolutely fantastic for para riders”.

“The MS does suck, but I try not to let it hold me back,” she said. “BD has one of the best pathways for people with disabilities to be involved with sport; they’re so supportive and have so many training and competition opportunities, they’re amazing.”

Elizabeth had to be classified at first to compete in BD para classes, then she and Boycie went to their first show, at Northallerton, in April.

“We did two tests and won both, then went back the next month, did another two and won those,” she said. “We had high enough percentages, and points, that I then got an email from BD to say we’d qualified for the championships at Hartpury.

“I thought we might as well go, as it would be a privilege to ride there, and my main aim was just to get a nice picture!”

But as well as the nice picture, Elizabeth and Boycie scored 65.95% to win the title.

“I’d never been in a fancy prizegiving, with a sash, and it was great to be in a line-up with all the other champions,” she said. “It was nice to meet other people who had decided they wouldn’t be defined by their disabilities but would enjoy their horses in the best way they possibly can. Horses give you freedom; I can’t run any more and I miss it but I ride an ex-racehorse who floats above the ground. Having that freedom is incredible and it should be promoted more.”

Elizabeth said she was probably the only rider at the championships with a former racehorse.

“But I think they make brilliant para horses, because they’ve seen everything,” she said. “They’re not spooky, or worried by pots of flowers or white boards, as they’re a lot less exciting than a day at Ascot. I think more para riders should consider them; Retraining of Racehorses is very good at matching people with horses and BD at helping you find the right level to compete at so I think more ex-racehorses should be doing para dressage.

“So many people when they’re asking for horses say ‘No TBs’; there’s a stereotype I’m trying to break with me and my horse. Just because you technically have a disability and ride an ex-racehorse doesn’t mean people should overlook you. We’re a great combination and hopefully in future we’ll see more ex-racehorses in para dressage.”

Elizabeth described Boycie as a “complete gentleman”, who anyone could ride.

“When I’m on him is the only time I don’t feel self-conscious about my leg or my disability; when I ride him, that’s gone and that’s amazing,” she said. “He treats me like an equal, and he makes me feel as though I can fly.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘He’s loving life’: a racehorse who won £200,000 on the track qualifies for HOYS

Alex Robinson — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 16:34:53 +0000

The former Lincoln handicap winner Migration has qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) for the first time in his new career as a show horse, earning his ticket for the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final.

Ridden by Hannah Horton, Migration led the 20-strong qualifying class at the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials (10 August) in front of judges Lucy Killingbeck (conformation) and Louise Daly (ride).

The eight-year-old is owned by Anthony and Georgina Andrews. He was gifted to them by the Gail Brown Racing Syndicate.

Hannah said: “He’s loving life in the show ring. He finds it so easy and he is very trainable and eager to learn. He was superb here at Hartpury at just his third show and first time going indoors. I’m sure he will take HOYS in his stride! We don’t want to rush him, and we will do a few novice hack classes to give him time.”

Migration was in training with David Menuisier, in whose care he collected over £200,000 in win and place money, including being first past the post in the Lincoln handicap at Doncaster in 2023.

Hannah added: “Migration came out to run in the Lincoln again on 23 March this year and decided he didn’t want to go. David and the Gail Brown Racing Syndicate started looking for a good home for him and he has been gifted to Georgina, Anthony and myself to go showing.

“I received a lovely message from David saying it was ‘so lovely to see him back to winning’. Georgina and Anthony always said they would love a racehorse, after they sadly lost their horse Overdrive.”

Gold Cup-winning retired racehorse to take on showjumping challenge

Becky Murray — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 15:42:05 +0000

Champion jockey Harry Cobden and Cheltenam Gold Cup-winning retired racehorse Native River are among those who will be taking on a showjumping challenge in aid of charity.

Nine jockeys riding nine former racehorses will take part in the Injured Jockeys Fund South West Jockeys Showjumping Challenge at Bicton Arena, Devon, on Friday (5 July) as part of Bicton Arena’s summer tour.

Harry, who won his first champion jump jockey title in May, will ride the much-loved Native River. The 14-year-old gelding won more than £1m before his retirement from the track at the end of 2021. He won the 2018 Cheltenam Gold Cup under Richard Johnson for trainer Colin Tizzard, and most recently has been enjoying shining in the showing world, including qualifying for this year’s Horse of the Year Show with Emma Vine.

Harry is not a complete stranger to showjumping, having taken part in the Markel Jockeys Jumping at the London International Horse Show last December under the captaincy of the great AP McCoy.

“I had my first taste of showjumping at London, and apart from a slight spill in the warm-up, I absolutely loved it,” said Harry.

“I’ve had a little practice on Native River this time, and so hope we can do a good job. More than anything, it’s for a great cause that we all need and support.”

Harry will be on Team Black, alongside Michael Nolan and Truckin Away, Nick Scholfield and Royal Plaza, Josh Newman and Richard’s Friends and Lorcan Murtagh and Vandross. They will face Team White; Sean Houlihan with Shadarpour, Ollie Searle with Dawson City, Rex Dingle and Hibernian Warrior, Bryan Carver with Sheila’s Facy and Ben Godfrey and Finally Fi.

“Not only is it a fabulous showcase of the versatility of thoroughbreds but a chance to support such a worthy cause,” said Kay Scriven of Spillers, which is supporting the event.

The event begins at 7pm and is free to attend. It will include live music and a raffle, followed by a party.

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Stephen Sparkes)

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner thriving in new career as he qualifies for HOYS on first attempt

(Image credit: Stephen Sparkes)

Meet the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner with built-in ‘carrot radar’ who’s thriving in his new career

(Image credit: Stephen Sparkes)

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Subscribe today and enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus unlimited website access and digital versions of the magazine dating back to September 2012.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner thriving in new career as he qualifies for HOYS on first attempt

Becky Murray — Wed, 29 May 2024 16:32:52 +0000

Native River, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner who won more than £1 million in prize money, has qualified for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on his first attempt as he takes to his new career “like second nature”.

The Brooms’ and Tom Malone’s 14-year-old superstar (known at home as Garfield or River) picked up his HOYS ticket with Emma Vine when they placed second in the SEIB Search for a Star riding horse qualifier at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on Monday (27 May). The class was won by Katy Llewellyn and Polydamos.

Emma, who competes in dressage and showjumping and is new to showing, has done all of River’s retraining since he retired from the track at the end of 2021, and said it was “beyond her wildest dreams” to qualify for HOYS.

“I cried. I can’t believe it, and especially to qualify in a riding horse class and not a racehorse class!” Emma told H&H.

“I went into that class to give him the feel of the ring before the retrained racehorse class (in which they placed 5th), and it couldn’t have gone any better. He went beautifully, the ride judge didn’t want to get off him. She said to me, ‘Whatever you’re doing, just keep doing it’ – and the conformation judge said he is just a beautiful model.”

Native River (right) 1st leads Might Bite (left) 2nd at halfway, as these two warriors domintate the Gold Cup. 16-3-18 (Image credit: Stephen Sparkes)

Emma said River has “taken to his new career like second nature”. Native River was trained to victory in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup by Colin Tizzard, under jockey Richard Johnson. Following River’s retirement, he was given six months in the field and did some light hacking in 2022, and last year his workload increased and he made his showing debut. They qualified for and competed at the Jockey Club RoR national championships last August, and next month they will compete at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby having qualified for the Tattersalls RoR amateur and open classes.

“I have showjumped at Hickstead but not for many years, so to be going back there feels like a massive achievement. When we started off last year we couldn’t trot circles or canter on the correct leg, but it all just fell into place,” said Emma.

“Showing for me was a minefield to start! I’d never done it before and it was a learning curve and we were both brand new to it, but last year’s season went phenomenal. My friend Jessica Westwood has been showing me the ropes and taught me about the special plaits, quarter markings, and everything I need to know, and I’ve learned so much.”

Emma said River is “the perfect gentleman”.

“It’s an absolute privilege and I feel so lucky to have such an amazing horse to ride. He’s been so good to retrain and wherever I take him people want to meet him and take their picture with him,” she said.

“He wraps his head round you and gives you a cuddle. He stands perfectly, you can hack him in the heaviest traffic, absolutely nothing fazes him – apart from the time when I took him to the RoR parade at Cheltenham and he thought he was there to win the Gold Cup again!

“He really is a super special horse and there’s not going to be many more like him.”

Emma, who has recently started introducing River to jumping over coloured poles, hopes to qualify him for the SEIB racehorse to riding horse class at HOYS, and also has her eyes on qualification for the Rising Stars racehorse to riding horse final at the London International Horse Show.

“Thoroughbreds really are incredible, and still overlooked by some people – they are so versatile and can do so many jobs,” said Emma.

“The good thing about having a horse like River is that hopefully he will bring to the forefront for other people to think, ‘Maybe I have overlooked thoroughbreds’.”

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Emma Vine)

New showing opportunities for riding club members and former racehorses

(Image credit: Emma Vine)

Meet the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner with built-in ‘carrot radar’ who’s thriving in his new career

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Meet this Classic-winning groom who rides her retrained racehorse bridleless: ‘You’ve got to enjoy every moment’

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 17 May 2024 11:30:37 +0000

When the Roger Varian-trained filly Elmalka swooped from last to first to win the recent 1000 Guineas at Newmarket under jockey Silvestre De Sousa, the loudest cheers on the track were coming from the filly’s devoted groom Kerry Humphries.

“I lost my voice!” she says of that “really special day”.

“I was over the moon and so proud of her and the way she did it – she was out the back most of the way then flew home, it was brilliant. When she started getting closer, we started jumping and cheering. Then when she crossed the line in front, we all ended up hugging each other.”

Kerry says the emotions flowed as she led Elmalka back to the winner’s enclosure.

“I couldn’t stop shaking. These special days are why you work in racing and you don’t win a Classic every day, so it makes it all worthwhile. You’ve got to enjoy every moment and make the most of it.”

Kerry Humphries: family ties

Kerry has looked after Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s Kingman filly since Elmalka arrived on the Newmarket yard last year, jumping at the chance having previously looked after her older half-sister Madaara.

“Madaara was a very big horse whereas Elmalka’s really small – they’re complete opposites,” says Kerry of the daughters of Selkirk mare Nahrain, who gave Roger Varian his first Group One winner back in 2011.

“Elmalka is really sweet, she loves a cuddle, her polos, her carrots and her apples, but she has a bit of sass about her at the same time!

“Sometimes when you’re brushing her over she’ll throw a leg out at you, or when you’re washing her off – she keeps you on your toes! But on the whole, she’s really sweet.”

In the run-up to the Classic race, the signs were there that Elmalka might well out-run her odds of 33/1 on just her third racecourse appearance.

“She is ridden at home every day by Beth Dixon, who has ridden her from her early days and adores Elmalka. On the day before the Guineas she actually ran off the end of the canter with her – she’s never done anything like that before so we said she’s definitely in good order!” says Kerry. “We were confident she’d run a good race anyway. She’s a tough filly and we always knew she’d be doing her best late on. It was amazing to watch.”

Kerry Humphries rode in the Macmillan Ride of Their Lives race in memory of her late mother. (Image credit: Philip Mynott Photographer)

A twist of fate: “It was right on my doorstep”

Kerry was brought up around horses as her mum had a horse, but she only came into racing by chance.

“My dad is a roofer and had been working on the roof of the Northern Racing College in Doncaster,” recalls Kerry. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I left school and he said how about applying there. Growing up, my mum and dad would take my brother and me racing quite regularly, so I had an interest in it, but I didn’t know the racing college existed, even though it was right on my doorstep.”

Kerry has now been working for leading trainer Roger Varian for the past 10 years and met her “absolute world” One Pekan on her first day there, crediting the horse for helping her deal with the grief of losing her mother unexpectedly in 2021.

After dual Epsom winner One Pekan retired from the track in 2017, Kerry jumped at the chance to take on the racehorse whom she adored. The devoted duo have been enjoying showjumping, cross-country and pleasure rides – and “he’s still a monkey!” she says.

“Last Sunday I noticed everyone posting lovely pictures of their pristine horses in showing classes and so on, when I’d taken mine on a 10-mile pleasure ride and five minutes in, he’d got down and rolled in the mud with me!” she laughs. “He’s 14, yet still does things like that!”

Riding a former racehorse without a bridle

So close is their bond however, that Kerry can ride her former racehorse One Pekan at home without a bridle.

“I don’t know what was going through my head, but one day I thought I’d take my bridle off and canter round without it and he was brilliant,” she says of the Retraining of Racehorses personality of the year finalist. “He listens so well to my voice – I can lunge him without a lunge line and I can get him to walk, trot and canter round in a circle just through my voice.

“But if I take him out cantering in the fields, he doesn’t listen to me at all!”

Talking about the joy of owning a former racehorse, Kerry explains: “I’ve looked after Pekan from my first day working at Roger Varian’s, so we’ve gone through the whole process of working together within the racing industry to me giving him a home after racing. He is such a character and very quirky, I adore him.”

New showing opportunities for riding club members and former racehorses

Alex Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2024 15:08:05 +0000

The organisers of the SEIB Search for a Star (SFAS) and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse (R2R) series have released their list of 2024 Search For A Star qualifiers and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers as well as new opportunities for riding club members and the owners and riders of former racehorses.

A new final for British Riding Club (BRC) members has been added to the schedule of SFAS championships held at Your Horse Live in November, while a Horse of the Year Show R2R qualifier will be held at the Sports Horse Breeding of Great Britain National Hunter Supreme championship show in August.

Nicolina MacKenzie who has steered the SFAS competitions for decades has been licensed by SEIB, through her company The Absolutely Genuine Company Ltd, to run the SFAS and R2R competitions.

Nicolina said: “The aims and format of the competitions will not change. The series will continue to champion amateurs, racehorses out of training and veteran show horses as well as working with the Pony Club and BRC to bring unique opportunities for future show horses and riders.”

SEIB’s chief executive officer, Suzy Middleton said: “SFAS has long been a key part of SEIB’s success as a business. As the series has grown, we are pleased to announce these behind-the-scenes changes to the running of our competitions. At SEIB, we are committed to giving back to our customers and supporting equestrianism and equine welfare, all of which we are able to do through our two invaluable series.”

Following the confirmation of the new BRC class with its final to take place at Your Horse Live, head of BRC Rachael Hollely-Thompson said: “BRC is delighted to be working alongside SEIB in this new opportunity for BRC members. BRC horses and ponies are genuine all-rounders and it is wonderful to see a showing class at a great venue that showcases the true riding club equine. We are looking forward to celebrating with competitors at the final.”

The BRC class welcomes competitors to ride either side-saddle or astride.

The dates and locations of all SEIB qualifiers were also announced:

List of 2024 Search For A Star qualifiers and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers:

27 May — The Showing Register championship, Stoneleigh Park (SFAS qualifiers and amateur only R2R qualifier)

9 June — Vale View Equestrian Centre

7 July — Greenlands Equestrian Centre

1 August — Equifest, Arena UK

10 August — NAF Five Star International horse trials, Hartpury College (R2R only)

17 August — The Pony Club championships, Offchurch Bury (Pony Club classes only)

20 August — National Hunter Supreme championship show, Addington Equestrian Centre (R2R only)

26 August – Hartpury College

8 September — The Defender Burghley Horse Trials, Burghley House (R2R only)

Enjoy the best of Royal Windsor with Horse & Hound

To ensure you keep up to date with all the breaking news and the best of the action throughout Royal Windsor Horse Show, with no limits on how much you can read, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website from £1 a week in the UK. Sign up now. And don’t miss our bumper Royal Windsor Horse Show magazine report in the issue of Horse & Hound dated 9 May.

You may also be interested in:

Two early Royal Windsor championships for The King’s top show horse

Alex Robinson — Thu, 02 May 2024 13:45:13 +0000

The ex-racehorse First Receiver provided The King with a double championship victory on day one of the 2024 Royal Windsor Horse Show as he was crowned 2024 Tattersalls RoR open in-hand champion, as well as Tattersalls thoroughbred ridden show horse series champion.

The seven-year-old gelding began his Windsor campaign when handled to perfection by Chris Hunnable, who produces the horse for the show ring alongside his wife, H&H columnist Katie Jerram-Hunnable, who took the reins less than two hours later to score the victory in ridden ranks.

Katie rode First Receiver to glory in the Racehorse to Riding Horse championship at the Horse of the Year Show in 2021, his first appearance at the prestigious final in his debut season. He was previously owned by his breeder, The Queen, and he qualified for HOYS in 2021 at Burghley Horse Trials, becoming her Majesty’s final show ring winner before she died.

First Receiver is by New Approach and during his time in racing he was trained by Sir Michael Stoute. He has only been very lightly shown and he was last seen at Royal Windsor under-saddle in 2022 when he was just a novice.

“I’ve never galloped him like that before, but I knew I had to go for it,” commented Katie, as she left the ridden championship. “He was just awesome today. I had a really bad ride on him here last year; he was very worried and nervous about everything, so we’ve given him a year out for both him and I to mentally process everything. I came here today with a lot of anticipation and I hope this proves to people that even if you have a wobble, never give up on your ambitions; it was my dream to win this on him, and he’s only gone and done a double-whammy.”

Reserve in the 2024 Tattersalls RoR open in-hand championship was Star Caliber, handled by his owner Barry Smith, who had finished second in the flat section behind First Receiver. This Golden Horn six-year-old ran 19 times during his career, winning once in 2020 at Goodwood.

Joining the flat horses in the 2024 Tattersalls RoR open in-hand championship were the top two exhibits from the national hunt division, Kelly Morgan’s Top Wood, a Kotky Bleu 17-year-old handled by Jasean Spraggett, and Sophie Staveley’s Burnieboozle, a nine-year-old by Frozen Power.

Enjoy the best of Royal Windsor with Horse & Hound

Meet the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner with built-in ‘carrot radar’ who’s thriving in his new career

Gemma Redrup — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 06:00:08 +0000

Al Boum Photo won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2019 and 2020 for trainer Willie Mullins and earnt over £1m in a glittering career for Marie and Joe Donnelly. His winning tally included three Grade One victories, including the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in his novice chase campaign in 2018. And he is now thriving in his new career as a riding horse with Louise Duffy.

Al Boum Photo (nearside) en-route to his 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup victory. (Image credit: Bill Sewlwyn)

“I’m very lucky to have him,” says Louise of ‘Boum’, who was retired from racing after pulling up in the 2022 French Gold Cup at Auteuil by jockey Paul Townend after jumping poorly.

Boum is the third racehorse that Louise, who juggles riding with a full-time office job, has taken on from Willie Mullins. She previously retrained Grade One winners Arvika Ligeonniere and Assessed with the former competing successfully to CCI2*-L level.

“I was tentatively looking for another horse to retrain as Arvika Ligeonniere was getting older, so I text Jackie [Mullins – Willie’s wife] to see if they had any horses looking for a new home,” explains Louise. “She let me know Boum and [fellow Grade One winner] Melon were going to be retired, but that it wasn’t public knowledge.

“I went to try them at Willie’s yard at Closutton and Boum was the one I got on best with. He’d enjoyed his summer holiday in the field with Galopin Des Champs and I picked him up in August 2022.”

Al Boum Photo at home (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Since then, Louise and Boum have been enjoying getting to know each other and most recently took part in the Stepping Stones to Success Thoroughbred event class at Wexford Equestrian. This comprised a BE90 dressage test followed by showjumping and cross-country on an all-weather surface over a course of 80-90cm, which they completed successfully.

“He hasn’t done a huge number of competitions as I’ve given him time to find his feet in his new job,” says Louise. “His first event was at the Tattersalls Ireland July Show in 2023, where he took part in the novice showing series. There were 25 horses in the class and we finished fourth – I was over the moon. We were meant to do two or three one-day events at the end of last year, but the wet weather put paid to that.”

Al Boum Photo and Louise Duffy. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Louise, who is based in Co. Meath, 30 minutes north of Dublin Airport, says that Boum can be “fresh, spooky and cheeky”.

“But he has incredible intelligence and has such a work ethic, which can sometimes be his undoing as he tries so hard. But he’s got such an ability to learn and is a real athlete.

“He has no idea how good he could be and he is still finding his feet. He has obviously come from a busy yard so riding out on my own at home was an adjustment for him to start with, but it’s just been a case of giving him time to build up his confidence.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Boum is, unsurprisingly, a big fan of carrots too.

“He loves cuddles and carrots – he is a real carrot radar and sniffs them out,” laughs Louise, who is hoping that Boum will take to eventing. “He loves having questions to answer and having to think. I’d never say never to showing, but I think he will really enjoy eventing and some working hunter classes too.”

Tiger Roll, Silver Birch and Lady Buttons among retired stars to delight fans at Grand National Festival

Lucy Elder — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 16:40:58 +0000

Six former Grand National winners will hear the roar of the crowd again as they return to Aintree this week.

Dual winner Tiger Roll (winner 2018 and 2019), Minella Times (2021), plus senior veterans 21-year-old Pineau De Re (2014), 21-year-old Neptune Collonges (2012), Mon Mome (2009), now aged 24, and 27-year-old Silver Birch (2007) will be among those taking part in the legends parade before racing on the day of the Randox Health Grand National (Saturday, 13 April).

Those heading to the Randox Grand National Festival on Friday (12 April) will also have the chance to see a bevy of other former racing stars in the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parade. This will take place at 12.40pm and features eight horses, who are all excelling in their post-racing careers.

These include 2017 Becher Chase winner Blaklion, who had four Grand National starts and is now turning his skills to showing, fun rides, hunting and hunt races. Popular mare Lady Buttons, formerly trained by Philip Kirby, joined her exercise rider Jenny Durrans in retirement. She had a successful first debut season in the showing arena and will target eventing this season.

Others taking part in Friday’s parade include the former Willie Mullins-trained duo of Kemboy and Melon, plus Duke Of Navan, Touch Of Faith, Peveril Point and Master Wickham.

“Our thanks to Aintree racecourse and The Jockey Club for giving us the opportunity to put together such a great line-up of former racehorses to parade for the Aintree crowd,” said RoR director David Catlow.

“RoR parades are designed to educate racegoers whilst offering them a chance to witness first-hand the variety of different second career options open to racehorses once they retire from racing.

“They also highlight the need for further support and resources, as set out in the RoR Strategy 2024-2026, to ensure that we are able to safeguard the wellbeing of all former racehorses.”

How findings of a milestone census could help improve lives of horses

Lucy Elder — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 17:09:05 +0000

British racing has been able to account for thousands of horses who were previously unrecorded, thanks to its milestone first thoroughbred census.

The uptake and findings from the 2023 census present huge possibilities for education, traceability and ultimately improving lives for both former racehorses and the wider UK herd, its creators believe.

Details of 8,256 former racehorses were submitted – 5,566 of whom were previously unrecorded.

Hartpury University carried out the census in partnership with the industry’s Horse Welfare Board, funded by The Racing Foundation. They combined the findings with information from the 13,000 Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) members, plus data from equestrian associations.

The researchers have calculated the number of former racehorses in Britain to be around 33,600, which means the “intelligence bank” now covers around 80.1% of the estimated population.

“We now understand more about the knowledge, understanding and the decisions owners make,” Hartpury’s head of research and associate professor Jane Williams told H&H, adding that the findings give “real opportunities for education and influence”.

“Like most of these things, it’s led to more questions, but it’s a really good line in the sand.”

She added: “I think it’s potentially a game-changer in terms of where we are and how we should look at monitoring horses’ information. I’m a really strong believer in evidence-informed decision-making, and we can’t do that if we don’t understand the state of play.

“What this does is enables us to see the state of play and to be able to understand what is happening with these horses, why people are engaging or not with passport compliance – and we needed that knowledge.”

Analysis of the data means that Hartpury has been able to create a “heat map” to show the population density of former racehorses across Britain, understand more about the age spread, the range of activities they are involved in and how many owners thoroughbreds typically have during their lifetimes.

They found a strong link between owners having had a thoroughbred previously, showing a “trend for people to really engage with the breed”.

More than a third of the horses were still with their original post-racing owner, and the majority (87.3%) of former racehorses had been owned by three or fewer owners.

Dr Williams said this suggests a different, more positive picture to the preconception that horses are turned over “quite often”.

The numbers show 6% of horses were under the age of four, 63% were between the ages of five and 14, 31% were 15 years old and over, with a spike in the mid-twenties.

“Again, it gives us an insight into maybe where some of the education can go, and where some of the resources across RoR and other organisations might be well placed to support some of these owners and horses,” she said.

One of the key gaps this has highlighted, she added, is that people often did not know much about their horses’ previous history and there could be scope to help improve that.

There also appears to be a gap in owners’ understanding of their responsibility to keep every horse’s ID document up to date.

Reasons for horses coming out of racing were “not a surprise”; these mainly included lack of speed, poor performance, injury, horses losing their love for racing, and retirement owing to age or it being an appropriate time.

“What the real positive for me that comes out of this is that there was a clear recognition for why these horses were not in racing any longer,” Dr Williams said.

“People are considering what is best for the horse, what is the most appropriate fit, whether they can optimise the horse’s good life by pushing him into a different sphere, and recognising it was time to call a close on the first stage of their career.

“The breadth of ages that we see as well is positive – it’s not necessarily that they are an old horse, but it’s all ages, and people are really putting the horse first.”

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers said that it is “encouraging to see the positive strides in intelligence made as a result of the census, as well as the industry’s commitment to achieving complete traceability in the future”.

The Horse Welfare Board is collaborating with RoR to move forwards addressing areas informed by these findings, and is planning to repeat the census in three to five years.

Recommendations including the need to develop a mechanism to ensure 100% of horses can be traced at the first step out of racing were also raised. The aim is to link the sport’s national racing administration system data with the RoR database, so all thoroughbreds leaving racing, and their new owners, are automatically enrolled with RoR.

It also brought into focus the need for digital equine ID – and also for further development of the Central Equine Database to successfully operate as a repository for data on all thoroughbreds throughout their lives. Work to lobby the Government in these areas will continue.

Dr Neil Hudson, equine vet and MP, said the census is a “very welcome and crucial step in closing the gap in traceability”.

“It is vital that the Government continues to work with the racing industry to implement important initiatives that will improve the welfare of all thoroughbreds, both during racing and once they leave the sport,” he said.

Gold Cup heroes, Grand National stars and popular greys to parade at Cheltenham

Lucy Elder — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 20:58:46 +0000

Retrained Gold Cup and Grand National heroes are set to star on the opening day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

Native River, Coneygree and Pineau De Re are among the 11 horses set to take part in the annual Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parade at 12.30pm on Tuesday (12 March).

Coneygree, trained by the late Mark Bradstock, and the Colin Tizzard-trained Native River, won the Gold Cup in 2015 and 2018 respectively. Pineau De Re, who won the 2014 Grand National, has excelled in his second career enjoying eventing and dressage with Lizzie Brunt.

RoR managing director David Catlow said that there is a “lovely cross-section of horses in the parade”.

“They are all high performers on the racecourse, but some have had notable success in their second careers, while others simply enjoy an active and fulfilling retirement, competing at lower levels,” said Mr Catlow.

“The varied lives these horses lead highlights the care and dedication to aftercare we have in Great Britain. However, this also underscores the need for further support and resources, as set out in the RoR Strategy 2024-2026, to ensure every retired racehorse finds a fulfilling second career or retirement.”

The line-up also features Saphir Du Rheu, a Grade One Mildmay Novices’ Chase winner at Aintree when saddled by Paul Nicholls and double Cheltenham Festival winner Champagne Fever. Also taking part in the parade are four-time Cheltenham Festival runner-up Melon, popular greys Smad Place, Bristol De Mai and Duc Des Genievres, Balthazar King – who finished second to Pineau De Re in the Grand National, and multiple Grade One-winning chaser Kemboy.

The display will take place in the parade ring ahead of the first race.

‘Thank you, my soulmate’: sad farewell to $2,000 racehorse who became a five-star eventer

Becky Murray — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:19:32 +0000

More Inspiration, the former racehorse who cost $2,000 (£1,575) and went on to become a five-star eventer, has died in retirement aged 18.

Canadian eventer Holly Jacks-Smither bought “Morris” as a four-year-old off-the-track-Thoroughbred (OTTB) as a project to sell on. During his racing career he claimed four wins from 28 starts.

“My $2,000 sales investment who I couldn’t sell, stuck around to change my life,” said Holly.

Holly produced Morris up the levels, and they completed their first CCI4*-L in May 2015. Later that year they were selected to represent Canada at CHIO Aachen.

In 2017 Holly and Morris made their five-star debut at the Kentucky Three-Day Event. They returned to Kentucky the following year, and in 2019 they enjoyed their highest five-star placing, 12th at Pau in France. Morris retired from international competition in 2021 aged 16.

“If it wasn’t for you Morris, I would have been on a totally different career path,” said Holly. “You taught me that hard work truly pays off; that thinking outside the box is a must to be successful with the tricky ones, that a big heart matters more than confirmation, and that hard work and perseverance get results.

“From a gallop girl at Woodbine Race track where we met, to my first Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany, my first five-star at Kentucky, and my first European five-star in Pau, France… we did it all together.”

Holly added that she will never have another horse like Morris.

“Thank you for challenging me, teaching me and giving me so much joy. But most importantly, thank you for being my soulmate and making me believe that life can be changed because of one special OTTB and a dream,” she said, adding thanks to all of her team.

“Make sure you have a good buck and squeal as you gallop through heaven’s doors. I’ll meet you on the other side. It was a hell of a ride buddy.”

Tina Cook’s five golden nuggets of advice for retraining racehorses

Pippa Roome — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 13:00:33 +0000

Retraining former racehorses can be challenging, but also extremely rewarding if you can form a bond with an intelligent thoroughbred and re-educate him for a successful second career.

British Olympic eventing medallist Tina Cook has a strong family background in racing and has taken on the task of retraining racehorses many times, turning them into successful event horses. In a masterclass at Wellington Riding in February 2023, she talked about some of the secrets of success when working with these horses.

Top tips for retraining racehorses

1. Don’t forget you are dealing with a past history

Ex-racehorses who haven’t been successful in their first careers may have been to the races and not had a very nice time because they were being asked to do something they weren’t very good at and didn’t understand, says Tina.

“If that was you, would you trust humans and what they’re asking you to do?” she asks. “Ex-racehorses can be misinterpreted as being nappy or stupid, but people have to be realistic about what they have done before. Give them belief that they can do it.”

2. Don’t make a big deal out of small things

If a horse whips round, they’ll probably whip round faster or perhaps rear up if you make a big deal out of it, says Tina. It is better to stay quiet in your riding and the correction you give the horse.

3. Re-start the jumping education

“I don’t care if a horse has run in a bumper or in the Grand National, we start their jumping education by walking over one pole,” says Tina, adding that horses who have raced over fences learn to jump looking up, not down at the obstacles, so they need to learn to look, assess the jumps and tackle them in a different way to be an event horse.

4. Take the outings slowly

Again, remember that the horse may not have good memories of going out in a lorry if he didn’t enjoy his racecourse experiences.

“Don’t just take him straight to a show and wonder why he’s coming off the lorry wild and shaking, with sweat pouring off him,” says Tina, explaining she would start off by taking a horse out for quiet schooling outings rather than going straight to a competition.

5. An older horse can still be retrained and be successful

Tina cites the example of Harbinger, a horse she took on as an eight-year-old and she retrained to win the British intermediate championships at Gatcombe Horse Trials two years later and compete at Burghley.

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

16 pearls of wisdom from top British rider Tina Cook

The former European champion on taking her time, ex-racehorses and why horses trip

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

‘We took our own ditch to Pratoni’ – how Jonelle and Tim Price prepared for the World Championships

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

‘You can self coach’ – how to improve your riding without lots of lessons

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Nine secrets of successful cross-country from Tim and Jonelle Price

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Meet the former racehorse with a penchant for Classic FM who is helping prisoners and young people

Lucy Elder — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 20:31:07 +0000

A former racehorse with a penchant for Queen and Classic FM has been celebrated for his incredible work in helping young people and prisoners.

Dreamisi and Matt Bannon were among the finalists in the new Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Community Interest Award. Their story was heard by guests at the RoR awards on Wednesday evening (31 January) as the industry celebrated the exceptional versatility of thoroughbreds.

The pair work with north London-based charity Strength and Learning Through Horses. They visit prisons weekly and also work with young people who are struggling.

“He really picks up on the energy of the people in the sessions and works with that; if they’re really anxious and angry, he stays away from them. If they’re really calm and gentle, he goes towards them,” said Matt.

“That makes him a really good horse, he’s really good at picking his place – he’ll go wherever he feels appropriate until he feels that people have done what he needs for them to interact with him. It’s really special to have a horse that can do that.”

The prisoners and young people do groundwork and sessions where Dreamisi is loose with people in an exercise area, to show how horses pick up on atmosphere and human interactions, and in turn, help people better understand themselves.

Dreamisi can push boundaries, which Matt adds is part of what makes him so suited to this kind of work. When he was going through his retraining, they found that Classic FM playlists were a great way to help him settle in the stable and have also since discovered through his work with young people that he is a fan of Queen.

He added: “In the all-male prison, they love the fact that this is a racehorse, that he’s got this power about him and he is big and strong, but he also needs you to keep him calm and support him.

“Being empathetic, being kind, being gentle – these are all human skills that they’ll need to take outside with them and the horses give them a window into finding those parts of themselves.”

‘He seems to instinctively know’: top horse who brings light to ‘so many people’ honoured

Lucy Elder — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:54:44 +0000

A former top five-furlong sprinter who makes “everyone who comes into contact with him feel better” was voted the first winner of a new award in recognition of the effect he has on those around him.

Goldream, known as Remy, and racehorse retraining and rehoming organisation New Beginnings were announced as winners of the 2024 Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Community Impact Award on Wednesday (31 January).

“He must have met hundreds and hundreds of people and children. He just makes everybody who comes into contact with him feel better,” said Pam Atkinson of New Beginnings.

Pam’s husband Kevin, with whom she runs New Beginnings, added: “He goes into hospices and the pleasure that he gives to the people at the latter end of life is just phenomenal.

“He seems to instinctively know what to do and puts his nose on people’s faces, he’ll sniff people’s hands.

“To see somebody at the latter end of life smile, when they’ve got so much going on in their world, because a horse has touched them is just phenomenal. You can’t buy that.

“He gives so much pleasure to people. He’s unbelievable.”

Nigel Payne presents The Sir Peter O’Sullevan ROR Community Impact Award to Pam and Kevin Atkinson of New Beginnings. (Image credit: Dan Abraham)

Pam said that Remy “just knows” when someone “could do with a hug”, and that he also brings comfort to the staff in hospices.

“The doctors and the nurses at the hospices have a very difficult job. They come and stroke Remy and get some pleasure from that as well,” she said.

The two-time Group One winner, formerly trained by Robert Cowell, was nominated for the award by York racecourse, for which he is an ambassador. He also spends time visiting medium secure hospitals, as well as schools and met more than 1,200 young people and families in 24 hours during national racehorse week.

Kevin added: “For a five-furlong sprinter, who has been a pocket rocket, to go into a hospice and be with people who need that extra bit of attention – the way he does it is just phenomenal.

”He’s given so much to so many people in so many areas – not just on the racecourse, or the medium secure hospital or the hospice, or primary schools. It’s everything that he does, and he does it all gracefully and humbly. He is a true example of the versatility of the thoroughbred.”

‘I thought, “what will be, will be!”’: Que Sera heads public vote to win prestigious award

Lucy Elder — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:09:00 +0000

The aptly named Que Sera was crowned The Jockey Club Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Horse of the Year in recognition of his incredible versatility as a family horse.

The 14-year-old gelding, owned and ridden by Jo and Ben Hales and their children, topped the public vote to be awarded the prestigious prize at the RoR awards at The Jockey Club rooms (31 January).

The family bought him from Philip Hobbs in 2017 and he has excelled in multiple disciplines, hunted with three packs and embraced his role as a family horse. He has helped raise hundreds of pounds for charity, overcome a severe injury to return to work, and won numerous dressage and side-saddle showing titles.

“I’ve never had a horse that’s been quite so consistently successful as he has,” said Jo. “I can count on one hand the times he’s come home without a rosette, and there’s always been a reason, it’s usually my fault! He has won four rugs, countless championships both side-saddle and dressage. But he’s equally happy to go cantering around a fun ride, to have a child riding him or nanny horses in the field.”

Jo thanked her husband (“he’s his horse really, we bought him as his pointer”) and whoever gave the horse his name.

“We really shouldn’t have bought another horse to add to our long collection,” she said. “But with his name and him being such a lovely horse, I went to go and see him.

“He just had the most fantastic walk. I wasn’t able to ride him, just see him walking and have a look at him trotting on the lunge. With his temperament and his walk, I just thought, ‘Que Sera – what will be, will be!’”

Sandy Dudgeon presents The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year trophy to Jo Hales. (Image credit: Dan Abraham)

Presenting the award, Jockey Club senior steward Sandy Dudgeon quoted John Hislop, the late breeder, soldier, journalist and champion amateur, who said: “On the turf, there is only one rightful king, the racehorse and if he is not served in the manner due to him, neither he nor his kingdom will prosper.”

Sandy added: “I think that is one of the great quotes of our sport. Although John died 30 years ago, he would have been inspired by everything all of you here have achieved since RoR’s formation 24 years ago, and all in the room this evening.”

The inaugural Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust Community Impact Award was won by former double Group One winner Goldream and racehorse rehabilitation and rehoming centre New Beginnings.

The 2019 Cheltenham Foxhunter and prolific British point-to-point winner Hazel Hill, owned by Diane and Jane Williams, won the show supreme champion title. The show series champion accolade was won by Wonga Swinger, owned and ridden by Tori Thomas. Megan Brown’s pint-sized Don Stefano, who is competing at intermediate, claimed the eventing prize. Sara Cork collected the hunting award on behalf of Celtic Silver, who had much point-to-pointing success with Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews before a career change. Jane Phillips’ advanced medium mare Fair Duchess won the dressage award, Amanda Hamley’s More Salutes took the endurance crown, with Chris Mackenzie’s Badalona Breeze, produced by Charles Seavill, claiming the polo prize.

Do you have a retrained racehorse success story? Send your thoughts to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, for a chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

‘Ensuring no horse ever faces an uncertain future’: new plans for former racehorses unveiled

Lucy Elder — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 17:37:00 +0000

Racing aftercare charity Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has revealed a plan to establish training standards and launch an official retrainer approval scheme, and is seeking to massively increase funding.

The news came as part of RoR’s 2024–2026 strategy, which also focuses on areas including traceability, finance, increasing demand for former racehorses and welfare. It follows a recommendation in the Horse Welfare Board’s 2021 aftercare funding review.

It also intends to collaborate with industry experts, retraining centres, coaches and vets to develop “good practice” guidelines to follow.

RoR managing director David Catlow told H&H the intention is for the industry and equestrian community to “feel confident” whether they are seeking a retrainer for a horse coming out of racing, or looking to buy a former racehorse.

“We have a pilot at the moment with a small number of retrainers where we’re looking at what sort of criteria we need to develop and assure,” he said. “It is something we’re developing.

“This strategy is part of a journey; it won’t be delivered by the end of March, it is something that we want to continually improve. Ultimately, our mission is to safeguard the wellbeing of all former racehorses.”

The strategy also sets out an intention to review the RoR’s existing vulnerable horse scheme, greatly expand its education offering, increase collaboration with licensed trainers and equestrian sporting bodies, and further improve traceability. It also seeks to “elevate industry funding by 10 times current levels” in the next three years, and triple its non-industry fundraising income.

Mr Catlow said that a forum will take place on Wednesday (31 January) to discuss funding models, including who can contribute financially, so RoR can deliver the strategy “on behalf of the industry”.

“We want the industry to adopt this strategy,” said Mr Catlow. “It is going to be important for the industry to step up to support it, because without the funding, we will be limited in what we’re able to achieve.”

RoR board chairman Philip Freedman said: “At its core, this strategy clarifies RoR’s position as the leading provider of strategic support and direction of aftercare.

“It is about ensuring that, through RoR’s activities and racing’s commitment to aftercare, no racehorse ever faces uncertainty or neglect once their racing days are over.

“We look forward to collaborating with our stakeholders, members, and our external partners to deliver this strategy.”

‘Don’t overlook them’: amateur owner of multi-talented thoroughbred sings ex-racehorses’ praises

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 19:51:54 +0000

The owner of a former racehorse who was “a bit useless” on the track but has completed Badminton grassroots three times and excelled in showjumping, dressage and showing has urged others not to discount thoroughbreds.

Claire Lewis told H&H she had only had “what I’d call normal riding club horses” before Master Wickham came into her life eight years ago. She said “Darsi” has shattered her previous perceptions of former racehorses, and that he is a “shining example” of what they can achieve with amateur riders.

Claire’s uncle was in a syndicate that owned Darsi during his racing career.

“But he was a bit useless!” she said. “Ironically, he didn’t have a competitive edge then, and didn’t want to win a race. They retired him and wanted him to have a second career and I said I’d have him. I took him on and I’ve had him ever since.”

Claire had not retrained a racehorse before, and there were challenges.

“He was described as ‘quite sharp’ by the trainer,” she said. “He’s quite opinionated and knows what he likes, and they couldn’t keep a jockey on him! But he really enjoys jumping; that seems to be his happy place. I spent 18 months doing things like poles and gridwork, and that seemed to turn him around.”

Claire and Darsi won 21 British Showjumping (BS) classes last year as well as achieving enough placings to net them 497 points. This meant they topped the BS/British Riding Clubs bronze league for the year. They have BS winnings in speed classes, topscores, accumulators and derby classes, and have also had a competitive eventing career. They have competed in the Badminton BE100 final three times, jumping double clear twice and just notching up four showjumping faults on one occasion, and have competed at one-star level.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I’d say he’s now a real professional horse,” Claire said. “He doesn’t waste energy or get worked up; he’s really calm in the warm-up – once someone crashed into him and he did nothing – but as soon as he gets in the ring, he’s on it. He’s a real show-off and he loves a crowd. I can go as fast as I want, or jump round Badminton, and when we finish, he just switches off.”

Claire added that the versatility of the thoroughbred is well known, but Darsi is excelling across disciplines, not just taking part.

“He’s won nearly £5,000 affiliated showjumping, and there’s the riding clubs stuff,” she said. “And dressage; he qualified for the riding club dressage to music finals and won a national novice final. I’d been trying to qualify for Badminton for 20 years and now he’s done it three times, and he went to the Royal International Horse Show and jumped one of only three clears in the workers.

“The way I looked at ex-racehorses before him; I’d never have thought a thoroughbred would ever do all this. I think people overlook them. The number of ads you see, from people wanting to do all this, that say ‘Absolutely no thoroughbreds’, but they can do everything you want.

Latest from Horse & Hound in Retrained-racehorses

One-eyed former racehorse goes from strength to strength in his third career

‘I love every inch of him’: meet the 50p former Flat racehorse jumping internationally – after four-year passport battle

Giving it a go

Huge support

Fighting the case

You may also enjoy reading:

Kindness, education and positive role models key to thoroughbreds’ life-long wellbeing

You may also be interested in:

Do you ride a retrained racehorse? Check out the competition series and championships exclusive to you

Competitions for ex-racehorses: All disciplines

RoR competition league

RoR competition league championship

Eventing competitions for ex-racehorses

RoR Winter Championships (Arena Eventing)

Connolly’s Red Mills RoR Eventing Championships

Arc Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup

RoR BE Points Series

RoR Competition League Eventing Series

Foran Equine Series and Awards

Showing series for ex-racehorses

Tattersalls RoR Scottish Series Championship

Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Show Series Finals

The Jockey Club RoR National Championships

SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship

BSHA Rising Star Racehorse to Show Horse Championship

Dressage competitions for retrained racehorses

The Jockey Club RoR National Championships

Showjumping competitions for ex-racehorses

The Jockey Club RoR National Championships

Equiyd British Showjumping National Amateur and Veteran Championships

Did you find this article useful? You may also like to read…

‘Experiencing the magic’: retired racehorses mark Chinese year of the horse in city centre

You may also be interested in:

The unbreakable bond between rider who sustained life-changing injuries and her ex-racehorse ‘best friend’

You may also be interested in:

‘He absolutely loves it’: Flat racing stallion who won over £1m takes to new bloodhounding life ‘like a duck to water’

You may also be interested in:

Inspired by star thoroughbred Artist at Maryland? Discover more horses bred to race who reached the top in other disciplines

Thoroughbreds – the first choice for Ian Stark

A thoroughbred who “made a lot of dreams come true”

A thoroughbred who “found friends everywhere”

A former point-to-pointer with “an aptitude for piaffe”

How to manage former racehorses: ‘living out has been a game-changer’ and other top tips

Ask for background information

Settling an ex-racehorse into a new home and routine

Managing box rest and injuries in ex-racehorses

Managing turnout

Feeding and managing ulcers in ex-racehorses

How to manage ex-racehorses on the yard and hacking out

Flatwork and a new riding style

Finding an ex-racehorse a new job

Keep owners and former trainers updated

You may also be interested in:

‘Everything we’ve worked on for this past year paid off’: meet the Racehorse to Riding Horse champion at HOYS 2025

You may also be interested in:

New scheme to help connect the dots when horses leave racing as ‘this moment is a crucial point’

You may also be interested in:

‘He was happy all day, with his ears pricked throughout.’: Grand National runner takes showing win at Scone Palace

You may also be interested in:

‘I owe it all to her’: racehorse turned dressage star bows out in emotional ceremony

You may also be interested in:

Rider size limits enforced as part of new welfare rules

Thoughtful comments

Not “can I?” but “should I?”

You may also be interested in:

‘One in a million’: Cheltenham Gold Cup star wins fabulous showing double

You may also be interested in:

Who says thoroughbreds can’t do dressage? Top tips and 4 exercises to make the most of your retrained racehorse’s highlights

Why thoroughbreds can excel in dressage

Work with the build

Dressage training for thoroughbreds

4 progressive exercises to try

Top tips for improving your thoroughbred’s way of going

Build strength

Ringcraft and managing warm-ups

Mindset: no shortcuts

Thoroughbreds are just as good as other breeds in five-star eventing, research has shown