‘Train pony’ Ruby is on track to a new home

Ruby, the grey pony that shot to international fame earlier this year attempting to board a train, has a new home.

Irish traveller Joe Purcell, 68, who was captured on CCTV trying to board the Wrexham to Holyhead train with the 11.2hh Welsh section A (news, 26 May), has handed over ownership to his friend and chairman of the North East Bridleways Association Michelle Crowther.

Mrs Crowther said: “I thought it was really important for her to stay within the Wrexham area so that she kept her identity and wasn’t just ‘another rescue pony’.”

She said that she believes the mare, who is in-foal, is about six years old.

“Now that she is staying around, Joe can visit her — Ruby absolutely adores him,” she said.

“She is in really good condition and once her mothering duties are over, and if there is still interest in her, she will hopefully visit fairs and fetes to promote equine issues and multi-user routes such as bridleways.”

Ms Crowther added that no cash has changed hands for Ruby.

A spokesman for Wrexham County Borough Council said: “Ruby is currently being well cared for and her foaling is believed to be imminent.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (21 July, 2011)

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