Enjoy a ride on your very own Gold Cup winner

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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