News

Six ex-racehorses judged to be the most successful on the polo circuit were awarded £1,000 each by RoR at the HPA Cartier Dinner on 22nd July. The winners were: 

TOP HAT (Top Hat) and Lanto Sheridan.
A nine-year-old gelding who ran five times as a two-year-old over 5 and 6 furlongs without troubling the judge. His best polo attributes are his top end speed and power in ride offs. (pictured - bay horse) 

LALAPAANZI (Lambourn) and Jonny Good.
A 10 year-old mare who ran nine times as a two and three-year-old and was placed once first time out over 5f at Doncaster.  She was given to Jonny as a wedding present by Robert Thame.  The better the level the better she goes, she has high top speed and a large heart.

MAGIC GENIE (Magic) and Jack Richardson.
An eight-year-old bay mare who ran three times.  As a polo pony she is the most agile Thoroughbred Jack has ever ridden and she has great acceleration.  (pictured - Jack on another ex-racehorse polo pony Elliebow)

ENDLESS CHIMES (Sabo) and Eden Ormerod.
A seven-year-old mare who ran three times over 6 and 7 furlongs.  In polo she is a great hitting platform with good balance, she is also a brave mare with plenty of guts in a ride off.

LOL DRAPER (Lolly) and Ed Hitchman.
A seven-year-old mare who ran three times on the flat as a three-year-old.  As a polo pony she is super easy but fast and very sweet natured.

LIGHTED SMILE (Sonrisa) and Malcolm Borwick (now owned by Jerome Wirth).
A seven-year-old mare who ran 18 times, winning a race in France and being placed several times.  As a polo pony she is everything you want in a Thoroughbred and refuses to be beaten, the minute you drop the reins she comes back to zero. 

Five further prizes of £500 to the best bought and played ponies ridden by 1-goal and under players will be awarded at the end of the year.   Visit the RoR polo series page for more information.

^ Back to top

An impressive line-up of ex-racehorses now enjoying life in another equine discipline paraded at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 24th July, King George Day.

Betfair sponsored the RoR parade, and generously presented a cheque of £5,000 to RoR.

The parade took place in the Parade Ring before an exciting day’s racing, and some of the ex-racehorses even demonstrated their new found skills.  The horses taking part were:

1. Papineau (Showing) – 10 year old by Singspiel. He ran nine times on the flat whilst trained by Saeed Bin Suroor for Goldolphin and won five times, including the 2004 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. In total he won over £235,000. He is now enjoying a second career with Sara Hemmingfield taking part in showing classes and unaffiliated showjumping and dressage competition.

2. Gaur Du Luc (Showing) – 16 year old by Chamberlin and a half brother to Challenger Du Luc. He was trained by Martin Pipe for whom he ran in two hurdle races. He was owned by top National Hunt owner David Johnson who gave him to his daughter and present owner Lisa Farquhar. He is now successfully being shown and won the Tattersalls final at Hickstead in 2008. He has also qualified again for this year’s final.

3. Pentecost (Showjumping) – 11 year old by Tagula. He had 63 lifetime starts on the flat winning over £195,000. He ran 16 times at Ascot and won the Brittannia Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2002 whilst in training with Andrew Balding. He is now doing a mixture of activities with Sarah Grove including hunting, showjumping and a bit of dressage and the plan for this year is to start eventing.

4. Earth Mover (Team Chasing) – 19 year old by Mister Lord. He ran 47 times in point to points and over hurdles and fences whilst being trained by Paul Nicholls. He had a total of 26 wins during his career notching up over £188,000 in win and placed prize money. He ran at the Cheltenham Festival on several occasions and won the Foxhunter Challenge Chase twice. Since retiring Earthmover has competed in hunter trials, local working hunter classes and showjumping. However his two main loves are team chasing and hunting with Charlotte Alexander. He hunts with the Beaufort regularly, always being at the sharp end and jumping everything that comes his way and he has proved outstanding in open team chasing (pictured).

5. Top Hat (Polo) – 9 year old by Easycall. Top Hat ran five times on the flat with no success whilst he was in training with Mick Easterby. Lanto Sheridan, who rides him now, is a member of the young England Polo Team and he bought Top Hat as a 6 year old. He has played him for the last three years and says his best attributes are his “top end” speed and his power in the ride offs. Top Hat always gives 100% when playing and Lanto says he gets better each time.

6. Elliebow (Polo) – 8 year old by Pharly. She ran three times as a two year old with no success on the flat whilst in training with Tim Easterby. Elliebow now plays most weekends in low goal games with Jack Richardson. Jack is also a player for the young England Polo Team.

7. Bold Hunter (Dressage) – 16 year old by Polish Precedent. He ran over 65 times on the flat, over hurdles/fences and point to pointing. He was the RoR dressage champion last year with Anne Bostock and is continuing to do well. He currently has 159 dressage points and is competing at Elementary level with the plan to upgrade to Medium level by the end of this season.

8. Monkey Boy (Endurance) – 19 year old by Mazaad. He had ten runs on the flat and two placed hurdle starts. Monkey Boy and Sue Henry won the Retraining of Racehorses and Endurance GB Championship in 2009 for the second year running. He is working on retaining his title again this year!

9. Easter Ross (Eventing) – 17 year old by Ardross. He had 12 starts over hurdles and fences whilst trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by the late Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Having retired at the age of ten he started his second career being shown both in hand and under saddle and has now started affiliated eventing with Gavin Connell, having already completed an intro and pre-novice with the hope to have done a novice class by the end of 2010.

10. Trouble At Bay (Eventing) – 10 year old by Slip Anchor. He had 13 flat runs and 24 starts over hurdles winning nine races in total and being placed on several occasions. He managed to notch up over £114,000 in win and place prize money whilst trained by Alan King. He started his eventing career with Sammi McLeod and is currently doing BE90 classes.

11. No Commission (Horseball) – 8 year old by General Monash. He ran a total of 42 times, with 30 flat starts and 12 hurdle/jump runs. He won two races, one on the flat and one over hurdles, winning over £14,000 of win and place prize money when trained by Roger Fisher. He is now successfully playing horseball with Joe Colliver. Joe has just taken out his conditional jockey’s licence so plays in the spare time he can find.

12. Inchloss (Horseball) – 9 year old by Imperial Ballet. In a racing career lasting four years he ran 31 times on the flat. He won two races and was placed on a few occasions, managing to gain over £21,000 in win and place prize money when trained by Stuart Parr. He too is playing horseball successfully with David Worthington. Both Joe and David play Horseball for England.

^ Back to top

RoR is holding an evening dressage clinic with top dressage rider and trainer Dane Rawlins at Hickstead on 25th August.

Come and watch Dane riding ex-racehorses at all levels. The clinic will be held from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. It is free to attend, however, in order for RoR to have an idea of the level of attendance please email your name to lquainton@ror.org.uk

^ Back to top

Following on from the new workshops with BE accredited coaches earlier in the year, RoR is running another one day workshop with Jeanette Brakewell at Osbaldeston, Lancashire, on Wednesday 18th August. 

It will be held at this venue as there was such a significant turnout here for the first workshop, and there was a demand for further advice on training.  More workshops can be held at other venues if there is a demand.

Individual or small group hour sessions will be available to book through RoR at a cost of only £25. You can be a beginner with your ex-racehorse, or more experienced, the workshops are designed to cater for all levels.

To apply, horses must have raced or been in training and be registered with RoR. Click here to download the application form to complete and send with your payment of £25 to RoR, Ash Cottage, Back Street, East Garston, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 7EX. 

^ Back to top

Alligator Alley ridden by Matthew Heath won the RoR / NTF Retrained Racehorse Event Championship at Barbury International Horse Trials on 10th July.

In second place was Danaan Prince ridden by Sam Griffiths, and Traiga Suerte ridden by Elizabeth Power finished in third place (for the full results see below).

Alligator Alley (Roger) was bought by racehorse trainer Paul Webber as an unbroken four-year-old in 2000. It took Trevor Heath, Paul's Head Lad and Matthew's father, about three months to break him in; he was very nervous and needed a lot of confidence boosting and time.  In 2002 Roger had his first run in a National Hunt Flat race where he was last. Two subsequent runs did not improve his form at all!

His owners, Andy and Christine Jenkins did not want to send the horse to the sales so they offered him to Matthew to try to re-train as an eventer. This was early in 2003 and Matthew was working for Ann and Nigel Taylor at the time, who gave him advice with the re-training.

Alligator Alley's has steadily progressed through the levels at eventing, and finished third at this Championships last year.  He is an excellent example of what can be achieved with ex-racehorses with time and a lot of patience.

Full results:

1st ALLIGATOR ALLEY – Matthew Heath (owner/rider)
2nd DANAAN PRINCE – Sam Griffiths (Sue Brendish and Rider)
3rd TRAIGA SUERTE – Elizabeth Power (Good Times Syndicate)
4th ITALIAN TOUCH – Sam Jennings (Eleanor Osmond) 
5th SEVEN O SEVEN – Sam Penn (Sophie Bunch)
6th CRAIC – Ciaran Glynn (Gerald Leahy)
7th MONTINY – Julie Tew (Jane Arnold)
8th BLUE ORLEANS – Griselda Handy (Anne Lywood & Sylvain Austy)
9th CHIRON II – Lynda King (owner/rider)
10th RIVER MILL – Lucy Jackson (Alice Miller)

^ Back to top

The Speech Partnership held the Newmarket Festival In-Hand Charity Horse Show on Sunday 4th July, at the Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket CB8 7UU.  Another show will be held on Sunday 22nd August.

Lordly Leader with Clare Trowdale took the Reserve Champion TB spot and won the RoR Trophy in 'Horse raced National Hunt' (shown in photograph).  The other winner of the RoR Trophy for 'Horse raced on the Flat' was Hazim with Anne Kewley who went on to take the TB Champion title.

For more information contact Colleen Salmon, M: 07724 069766, E: colleensalmon@btinternet.com

^ Back to top

The English Cup (Trec) Competition was held at Adscombe farm, Over Stowey, at the end of May, and attracted more than 80 riders from all over the country trying to gain qualification to the Trec Championship of Great Britain to be held in Wales in August. With this year being a European Championship year the riders’ top senior and junior riders were out to do battle to impress the selectors.

Special prizes were also donated by Retraining of Racehorses for the best ex-racehorses, and there were classes for less experiences horses and riders, with a special prize on offer for the best first timer.

The competition began with the POR (Orienteering) phase. It was planned by Vanessa Warren to take in not only the stunning scenery in the area but to test the riders to make sure that they were on the ball and concentrating on their map reading throughout the day. The scores at the end of the day showed that she had accomplished her mission with a very wide range of scores.

With the vetting the following morning unfortunately, a few horse and rider combinations, were found to be lame or sore, and were forced to withdraw. For those still in the competition a daunting PTV (obstacle) phase lay ahead of them. Making the most of the natural terrain – a steep sided valley with a large ditch crossing the field, horses and riders were tested at every obstacle.

Anyone who completed the event should congratulate themselves. The competition was a true championship test and again proved that almost any horse and rider combination can take part. A couple of classes were won by native breeds, whilst the thoroughbred also held its own – taking the Level 4 individual (highest level) competition and an ex-racehorse winning the Level 3 pairs.

The RoR winners were Raeleen ridden by Julie Brand (pictured right) who won the Level 3 pairs, partnered by Jane Anscombe and Trans Wales Trefor.  See More Fun ridden by Tracey Wareing (pictured left) won in the Level 2 individuals.

^ Back to top

Chivola ridden by Vicky Smart won the final of the RoR/Tattersalls Show Series held at Hickstead on Sunday 27th June.  Reserve Champion was Night Prayers ridden by Mrs Katie Jerram.  In the 12-year-olds and over class, Follow The Trend ridden by Mrs Vivien Ayres was awarded first place, with Imps Relection ridden by Miss Shona Supple runner-up. 

Once again the standard was very high with qualifiers coming from across the country.  The Champion, Chivola, was an excellent example of how some racehorses can quickly and successfully adapt to a second career.  Just five-years-old this gelding was still in training two years ago with trainer Bryan Smart. 

The Champion will also receive a prize of £2,500 at the British Breeding Breeders Dinner and Awards Ceremony in January 2011.

Full results are as below:

UNDER 12-YEARS-OLD

1ST and CHAMPION
CHIVOLA – Mrs Vicky Smart (owner rider)

2nd KALAAM – Miss K. Marfleet (owner rider)

3rd and RESERVE CHAMPION 
NIGHT PRAYERS – Mrs Katie Jerram (owner Mr &Mrs M. Jerram)

4th BARELLA – Miss Claire Blackman (owner rider)

5th CELTIC JIG – Ms Pauline Mitchell (owner rider)

6th WHISTLE UP THE WIND – Miss Jade Hawker (owner Mrs C. Hawker)

12-YEARS-OLD AND OVER

1ST FOLLOW THE TREND – Mrs Vivien Ayres (owner rider)

2nd IMPS REFLECTION – Miss Shona Supple (owner rider)

3rd HYPERION DU MOULIN II – Mr Graham Mays (owner – Lady Sarah Clutton)

4th SIR OLIVER – Miss Kylie Chase (owner rider)

5th AMEZOLA – Miss Hannah Horton (owner Miss Dawn Bacchus)

6th DAN DE MAN – Mrs Anne Parkinson (owner rider)

^ Back to top

The RoR polo series in association with Lycetts Insurance started in May with three ex-racehorses awarded the Best Playing Polo Pony so far this season. 

Pictured is Avaris played by Mark Baldwin, who won the prize at the Gerald Balding Cup at Cirecenster on 30th May.  This ten-year-old mare had raced unsuccessfully once and is clearly now finding polo more her game.

Other winners so far have been Tina played by Tom Morley at the Test Match, Cowdray, and Chanel played by Wil Lucas at the Arthur Lucas Cup at Beaufort.

Several events are still to come, visit our polo page for more information on this event and the RoR Series with £5,000 awarded to the winner.

^ Back to top

The first RoR/British Eventing (BE) class specifically for ex-racehorses at Ascott-under-Wychwood on 5th & 6th June was well supported with nearly 40 entries.

Many congratulations to the winner, Five Boys ridden by Mrs Hollie Anne Cowley. Just beaten into second place was Analytical ridden by Mrs Katie Barber. See below for results of the first ten competitors.

Another class specifically for ex-racehorses will again take place at Ascott-under-Wychwood, Oxon, on 17th & 18th July.  Although retrained racehorse BE classes run at higher grades, these classes are the first event of their kind at this introductory level - BE90 Open. The class, which is being sponsored by Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), aims to help bridge the gap – providing an entry level for those with ex-racehorses who want to give affiliated eventing a go.

To be eligible horses must have raced under rules in the UK and also be registered with RoR. Registration is via this website.  Riders and horses do not need to be full season members of BE, but can compete on day tickets, visit, www.britisheventing.com for more information. For more information on the event itself contact the organizers on 01993 832083 or email chrisandjanet@fireflyuk.net or see the website www.crownfarm.co.uk

Pos Horse                           Rider                   Total 

1.   FIVE BOYS                    Mrs Cowley          26.50
2.   ANALYTICAL                  Mrs Barber          26.50
3.   NEVER BE POOR AGAIN  Mrs Wood-Collins 33.50
4.   BARNEY MCALL              Miss Smith          34.00 
5.   INTRODUCTION             Sharon Gauld      35.90
6.   FENCETHEGAP               Miss Leitch          37.90 
7.   SOMETHING GOLD         Miss Lewis           39.50 
8.   MR MCDELLON               Miss Gibson         39.80 
9.   SCUBA                          Mrs Fitch-Peyton  41.00 
10. CLEAR THE DEC             Mrs Barber          41.00

(Pictured is Analytical ridden by Katie Barber, for more photos visit the Eventing Gallery and scroll to the bottom)

^ Back to top

Peter Deal is retiring as the BHA appointed Chairman of the Racing Industry’s Charity, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR). Peter took over the Chairmanship from Andrew Parker Bowles in October 2007 and has seen the Charity, which is dedicated to the welfare and retraining of racehorses after the end of their racing careers, go from strength to strength.

Peter Deal’s successor is Ron Huggins, a prominent racehorse breeder and owner. Ron has been the Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s nominated Trustee on the RoR Board for three years and his appointment as Chairman was approved by the BHA Board at its meeting in February. Joe Grimwade LVO, Manager for the Royal Studs, has been appointed as the TBA’s nominated Trustee.

Peter Deal said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with the Charity. It has become an important and valued part of the Racing industry with many clinics, parades and extensive show series promoting the suitability and usefulness of ex-racehorses in a wide range of alternative equestrian disciplines. I am particularly proud of our clinics which are so well run and organised by our Director of Operations, Di Arbuthnot and which are well supported and provide valuable assistance to new owners of ex-racehorses.

“I will continue to maintain a connection with the Charity as I take a great interest in what happens to my own horses after racing. I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Ron Huggins who, with the other Trustees, will ensure the Charity continues to be at the forefront of the industry’s horse welfare by providing emergency relief for vulnerable cases as well as direct grant funding for the accredited retraining and rehabilitation centres which we have always supported”.  

Ron Huggins said: “I am honoured to be asked to chair the Charity which Peter has steered to new heights. 2009 saw the appointment of HRH Princess Haya as our Patron and we have an ambitious programme of promotion and education in 2010.

"This year will also be our 10th Anniversary and at the end of 2009 we held a brainstorming session with stakeholders in the racing and equine industries to pave the way for the next 10 years”.

^ Back to top

The final for the RoR/SEIB Retrained Racehorse Challenge will take place at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 2011. 

We are delighted that the final of this important class within our Show Series will take place at such a prestigious show. The first qualifying show kicks off on 22nd April at the Spring Show, Bedfordshire, visit the Retrained Racehorse Challenge section for dates of other qualifying shows and details of the class.

In the RoR/SEIB Retrained Racehorse Challenge, the thoroughbreds are asked to jump a small course of fences. This is followed by an individual freestyle show, and then the conformation of the horse is judged. Horses are NOT ridden by the judge.

^ Back to top