Finalists picked for ex-racehorses ‘Heart Awards’

Four hundred nominations for the inaugural Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Heart Awards have been whittled down to 28 finalists.

Fans will now decide the winners of each of the four awards — for temperament, by voting online for their favourites. The results will be announced on 5 July. 

Novelist Jilly Cooper will also select her own personal favourite from all the finalists and present a special award and trophy to the winner.

Di Arbuthnot, director of operations at the RoR, said: “We have all thoroughly enjoyed reading some incredibly moving stories and well-loved horses. It has certainly not been an easy decision to recognise and reward so few when everyone who nominated deserves enormous commendation for their incredible hard work, passion and dedication they continue to give to their ex-racehorse.”

Each winner will receive a RoR trophy, a RoR rug for their ex-racehorse and £100 worth of Baileys Feeds. 

The finalists in each category are:

RoR Biggest Heart (best temperament): Alconleigh, Singing Scally, The Last Rambo, Fundy, Blaise Wood, Charming Fellow, Billingsgate.

RoR Healthy Heart (best all-rounder): Solo Volumes, Lucius Locket, Something’s Up, Quercus Maximus, Pipador, Alfie

RoR Heart Throb (best looks): Bob Justice, Campbells Lad, Solar Max, Bonny Grove, Band Of Hope, Dazed And Amazed, Fortis Et Fidelis, Bonnie Lad.

RoR Heart Stopper (overcoming adversity): Run For Henry, Space To Run, Rash Promise, BB Boy, Obergurgl, Fighter Pilot, Hidden Exit.

To vote for your favourite go online to www.ror.org.uk before 30 June

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