Success for new format as RoR racing to hunting winner crowned

RoR Racing to Hunting Challenge winner Sire Collonges — Ri-Dry Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Racing to Hunting Challenge winner Sire Collonges, pictured with rider Tom Jonason.

(Image credit: Retraining of Racehorses)

Retrained racehorse Sire Collonges added a new crown to his collection in his second career, with the rider he bonded with during his first.

The former Paul Nicholls-trained 15-year-old impressed the judges on his day with the Ledbury in Monday’s final of the Ri-Dry Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Racing to Hunting Challenge to claim the 2021 title.

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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.

‘A real credit to their owners’: success for new format as RoR racing to hunting winner crowned

The eye-catching grey is a regular with the Belvoir, with rider Tom Jonason, and the pair bonded during Tom’s time as assistant trainer to Paul.

“I thought the format worked really well. First and foremost, it was a very enjoyable day’s hunting and, secondly, it is undoubtedly a much fairer way of judging the competition,” he said.

Sire Collonges (Dom Alco x Quart De Vin) won four of his 24 starts during his six-year career under Rules, including the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in December 2013.

The pair will receive the Meriel Tufnell Trophy, £1,000 cash and a Ri-Dry jacket at the RoR awards in January.

“Congratulations to all the finalists, they were all a real credit to their owners and each showed how well they have adapted to their second career,” said RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot.

“A big thank you to all involved, especially the Ledbury hunt for hosting the final, our sponsors Ri-Dry and our fantastic team of judges.”

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