news Wonga Swinger comes out on top as Tattersalls RoR Elite Champion 2023

• Career highlight for thirteen-year-old with winning both finals

On Sunday 25th June, the cream of the current crop of former racehorses now plying their trade in the show ring gathered at Hickstead for the finals of the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Show Series and Tattersalls RoR Amateur Series.

Wonga Swinger, ridden by his owner Tori Thomas were the overall winners of the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Show Series and were crowned the Tattersalls RoR Elite Champion 2023, one of the most competitive awards in the calendar for former racehorses. The pair scored a rare double winning both the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Show Series and Tattersalls RoR Amateur Ridden Series Finals.

The thirteen-year-old gelding began his career in point-to-points before winning two hurdle races prior to his last race for trainer Sam Thomas in July 2018. Tori has known Wonga Swinger since he was in training with her husband and rode him out most mornings. However, when it was suggested, he might be a candidate for the next sales round, Tori held her ground.

In the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Show Series, Minella Rebellion and Katie Dashwood were Reserve Champions. The pair won the Supreme Champion title at The Jockey Club RoR National Championships in 2021. Runner up in the Tattersalls RoR Amateur Series Final was First Fandango ridden by Lizzie Harris and owned by Hannah Chisman.

David Catlow, Managing Director of RoR, said: “Hickstead's Derby weekend is a wonderful prestigious event to stage the final of these two series, making it a great target for the riders. As our major showing sponsor, Tattersalls are essential to the success the showing series. Their continued commitment to the care or racehorses throughout theirlives is greatly appreciated by RoR and all of its competitors."

Hetty Keyes, Tattersalls Representee added: “It was a real privilege to be at Hickstead yesterday for the Finals of the Tattersalls RoR Amateur and Open Show Series. All those who care for these former racehorses in their second careers deserve a huge amount of credit as all the finalists looked amazing. Tattersalls is proud to support these Series’ and would like to thank those at the RoR who work so hard to organise qualifiers across the country thus allowing thoroughbreds to be showcased in the Finals at Hickstead on what is a very special day for the Equestrian world.”

In total over 170 showing qualifiers are held annually in Great Britain, with a geographical spread from Aberdeenshire to Cornwall. Qualifying classes are held at county and Royal shows, including Royal Windsor and the Royal Welsh Show, as well as at smaller venues, such the Blakesley Show and Wincanton Horse Show.