news Nominations open for RoR Horse Personality of the Year

• Online nominations open for the 2021 RoR Horse Personality of the Year
• Leading jockey Hollie Doyle to shortlist finalists and choose the winner
• Award once again given in honour of the late Paul Mellon

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) invites online entries from owners of former racehorses for the RoR Horse Personality of the Year award. The award celebrates former racehorses that have shown exceptional character in transitioning to a new career and have had a positive impact on those around them. Nominations are open now.

The inaugural RoR Horse Personality of the Year in 2020 attracted over 250 entries and the award went to the now 12-year-old gelding Ned Causer. The former racehorse ran just three times in a short-lived racing career but had a transformational effect on the life of his owner, Sarah Peacock, helping her to overcome bouts of anxiety and depression. Watch Sarah and Ned’s remarkable story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l88DsjUNz-U

RoR is delighted that record breaking jockey Hollie Doyle will be choosing the finalists and judging the award. With over 150 winners already to her name in 2021, Hollie has broken her own record for the number wins in a year by a female jockey.

Each of the three shortlisted finalists will be invited to the prestigious RoR Awards evening held at The Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket on Saturday 22^nd January 2022, when the overall winner of the RoR Horse Personality of the Year will be revealed.

Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of RoR, said:

“We hope that this award will get people talking passionately about what it means to own a former racehorse. We want to recognise those horses with a unique personality and character, and to also showcase the special bond they develop with their riders. We know there are many wonderful success stories, as well as great achievements, among the thousands of former racehorses that are lovingly rehomed and retrained each year.”

The award for RoR Horse Personality of the Year is given in honour of the late Paul Mellon. At its outset RoR was privileged to receive a bequest from the estate of Paul Mellon, the philanthropist and owner of Mill Reef (the 1971 Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner) and his legacy has been vital to establishing and funding RoR to promote the welfare of horses that have retired from racing.

Nominations can be made online at https://ror-events.org.uk/ from owners of former racehorses registered with RoR and will close on Monday 29th November. Those who make the shortlist of three finalists will be notified by 10^th December. All three shortlisted horses will also receive a RoR rug, and the winner will be presented with the RoR Horse Personality of the Year Trophy.