Life after racing: new film showcases versatility of ex-racers
A new film showcasing former racehorses’ adaptability has been launched to tie in with the start of the Flat season.
Shot in Newmarket by Equine Productions and featuring a voiceover by Clare Balding, the film is being screened at Palace House, the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art.
“Retraining of Racehorses is British Horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of racehorses who have retired from racing,” explains Clare.
“These wonderful animals can put their intelligent minds to so many different pursuits. These are just some of them.”
The camera then cuts to ex-racers who demonstrate their new careers of showing, eventing, showjumping, dressage and polo.
Her Majesty The Queen’s horse Quadrille is among the equine stars.
His earnings topped £42,000 on the track during his two-year Flat racing career and he is now competing at prix st georges-level dressage with Louise Robson.
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It was Louise who retrained the now 10-year-old gelding and she frequently holds Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) clinics at Palace House.
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Novice eventer Daredevil Boy, ridden by Kelly Harrison, is shown jumping in the artistic film.
Also featured is Indiana Gold, ridden by Mairi Wilson, who is enjoying his second career in the show ring.
Visitors to the National Heritage Centre will also be able to see the training of selected ex-racers in action.
Daily RoR demonstrations take place in the Peter O’Sullevan Arena and current equine residents include Injun Sands, who looks set for a future career in the show ring, and Noble Silk.
Injun Sands, a six-year-old formerly trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, ran 13 times and notched up two all-weather wins. Meanwhile, the Lucy Wadham-trained Noble Silk won four of his 35 starts during his five-year racing career and earned a total of £75,742.
The centre is open daily from 10am-5pm, and from 9am during sales and racing days in Newmarket during April and May.
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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.